Popular Read-Later App Instapaper Now Supports Background App Refresh
October 3, 2013
A couple of weeks ago, on the same day of the launch of Apple's new mobile operating system, Instapaper was updated for iOS 7 with a new design, sorting filters, and other improvements. It was not updated, though, with Background App Refresh, one of the new major features in iOS 7. But that's all right, since Background App Refresh is now supported by Instapaper, thanks to the popular read-later app's latest update.
With Background App Refresh, Instapaper automatically updates in the background to ensure that you have the latest content every time you open the app. This means that you no longer have to remember to open Instapaper before leaving for or entering an offline zone, e.g. a subway or a plane, in order for you to read the latest articles.
Note, though, that Background App Refresh may result in considerable battery drain, in which case you're free to disable the feature for Instapaper in the iOS Settings app.
The Instapaper team additionally notes in a new blog post:
And of course we implemented background app updates while respecting your Instapaper Update settings. We’ll only execute background app updates if your settings are configured to “Automatic Updates” or “WiFi Only Updates” while you’re on a WiFi network. So there’s no need to worry about Instapaper running up usage on your cellular data plan.Also including a couple of bug fixes, the new Background App Refresh-ready version of Instapaper is available now in the App Store as a free update or as a new $3.99 download. The app is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad running iOS 5.0 or later. As mentioned, Background App Refresh is exclusive to iOS 7. If you're still on iOS 5 or iOS 6, you can just go with the next best thing: Background Location Updates. Introduced to Instapaper in June last year, this alternative background process uses geofencing to automatically update your content every time you leave or enter specified locations. [gallery link="file" order="DESC"]
