Current is a new RSS reader that’s more like a river than an inbox

Current App Redefines RSS Reading with a “River” of News That Flows Away

In a bold move to rescue RSS from the inbox-like dread that has plagued it for years, a new app called Current is reimagining how we consume news feeds. Designed by indie developer Terry Godier, Current ditches the traditional unread counts and bolded headlines in favor of a more serene, flowing experience—literally.

Godier’s inspiration came from his own guilt-ridden relationship with RSS readers. “Email’s unread count means something specific: these are messages from real people who wrote to you and are, in some cases, actively waiting for your response,” he explains. “But when we applied that same visual language to RSS…we imported the anxiety without the cause.”

Enter the River—Current’s main screen where content arrives, lingers, and then gracefully fades away. Breaking news stays bright for three hours, daily articles for 18, essays for three days, and evergreen tutorials for a full week. No more zero-inbox pressure, just a natural flow of information.

Setting up Current is refreshingly simple: choose one of five speeds per source—Breaking, News, Article, Essay, or Tutorial—and let the river do its thing. Swipe left to dismiss articles you’ve finished, or tap the release button to return to the stream. An undo button ensures you never lose something important.

The app is packed with thoughtful features for RSS enthusiasts. It can fetch full article text even from truncated feeds, offers an image-first reader for webcomics, and lets you mute sources temporarily or pin must-reads to the top. Current even learns your reading habits, suggesting you remove rarely-read feeds or promote your favorites.

One standout feature is Voices, a space dedicated to individual writers and bloggers. This clever categorization distinguishes personal blogs and newsletters from larger publications, making it easier to follow your favorite authors. You can even create custom currents like “tech” or “design,” or let the app suggest them based on your patterns.

Godier’s passion for identifying voices behind the news extends beyond the app. He authored the Byline specification, which adds author context to RSS, Atom, and JSON feeds—a testament to his commitment to personalized news consumption.

Available as a one-time purchase of $9.99 on the Apple App Store for iOS, iPad, and Mac, Current includes iCloud Sync and OPML import. There are no subscriptions or in-app purchases, and a web version is on the horizon.

With its elegant design, intelligent features, and stress-free approach, Current isn’t just an RSS reader—it’s a revolution in how we stay informed. Whether you’re a casual reader or a news junkie, this app promises to make your daily dose of information a joy, not a chore.

Tags & Viral Phrases:

• RSS reader reimagined
• River of news that flows away
• No more inbox anxiety
• Follow individual writers with Voices
• Breaking news stays bright for 3 hours
• Essays linger for 3 days
• Evergreen tutorials for a week
• Swipe left to dismiss, tap to release
• Fetch full articles from truncated feeds
• Webcomics get image-first treatment
• Mute sources for a week
• Pin must-reads to the top
• Learn your habits, suggest improvements
• Custom currents like “tech” or “design”
• Byline specification for author context
• One-time purchase, no subscriptions
• iCloud Sync and OPML import
• Web version coming soon
• Stress-free news consumption
• Revolutionize your RSS experience
• Joy, not a chore

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