The digital landscape is constantly evolving, offering an array of ways to stay updated on the latest news and trends. From social media algorithms to classic news portals, traditional web search, and AI-powered search, it can be overwhelming to find the information you’re looking for.

Source: lifehacker.com

Enter HyperTexting

HyperTexting, available exclusively on iOS for now, offers a refreshing alternative to the digital chaos. This innovative app is a sort of RSS reader that presents updates from the sites and people you want to follow in chronological order – without any ads, AI, or algorithm-powered interface.

Source: lifehacker.com

According to the HyperTexting landing page, the app’s core idea is to provide a ‘timeline minus the ads, algorithms, and AI slop.’ It’s a feed that ‘actually works… for YOU (not the platforms).’ This concept is particularly striking in an era where social media platforms prioritize algorithm-driven content over user preferences.

When you launch the HyperTexting app for the first time, you’re presented with a selection of news sources to get you started. You can add or edit these sources as needed, making it easy to customize your feed to suit your interests.

The Timeline tab is where the magic happens. Here, you’ll find news and updates presented in chronological order. You can refresh the feed by pulling down from the top, just like the old days, and tap on individual articles to read them. As with any RSS reader, the availability of full article text or snippets directing you to the website depends on the publication.

The app’s design is clean and accessible, with a toggle switch button at the top right to change the colors and settings. Each post comes with buttons for sharing with others or viewing it on the web. You’ll also find a profile page for each source, complete with more ways to explore, such as posts and attachments.

Profile pages work similarly to social media accounts, allowing you to follow and unfollow publications. Many sites also offer multiple feeds, so you can customize your story list further. For instance, ESPN has different feeds for various shows and sports.

The Explore tab is where you can discover and follow new websites. You can search for sites using keywords or type out a full URL to add them to your feed. However, it seems that the app is still a work in progress, and some sources may not be available yet. The HyperTexting website mentions that support for WordPress sites is ‘coming soon.’

You can also switch to the Activity tab to view articles you’ve previously looked at, similar to a rudimentary browsing history. The Post tab is where you can contribute to the HyperTexting community, a feature that’s still in its early stages but aims to offer mini-blogs that work like social media feeds.

While there’s still work to be done, HyperTexting is a promising alternative to the digital noise. It’s a reminder of how discovery on the web used to be, and it’s definitely worth installing if you prefer your new content presented in a clean and accessible way.

Discovering and Customizing Your Feed

The Explore tab is where you can find and follow new websites. You can search for sites using keywords or type out a full URL to add them to your feed. The Trending tab shows you the 100 most-linked pages from the feeds you’re currently following, making it easy to stay up-to-date on the latest trends.

Head to the Discover tab to find new sites you want to follow. You can either enter a few keywords to search for something or type out a full URL, then tap Follow when the right publication appears. This seems to be the part of HyperTexting that’s most obviously a ‘work in progress,’ as I couldn’t add all the sources I wanted, including the esteemed outlet you’re currently reading.

It’s possible that the app is having some early growing pains, or that being able to follow a page depends on how it’s hosted. In any case, I did find plenty of feeds I was interested in following, even if I couldn’t access everything.

The Activity tab is where you can view articles you’ve previously looked at, similar to a rudimentary browsing history. The Post tab is where you can contribute to the HyperTexting community, a feature that’s still in its early stages but aims to offer mini-blogs that work like social media feeds.

Conclusion

HyperTexting is a refreshing take on RSS feeds that’s free from the clutter of ads, AI, and algorithm-powered interfaces. While it’s still a work in progress, it’s a promising alternative to the digital noise. If you prefer your new content presented in a clean and accessible way, it’s definitely worth installing.