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

Current rethinks the RSS reader as a river

A new app called Current is launching to transform the RSS reader from a task-oriented inbox into a flowing stream of news. Its developer, Terry Godier, built it to eliminate the "social debt" anxiety caused by unread counts in traditional readers.

Godier created the app as a side project, arguing that applying email's visual language to RSS imports anxiety without cause. Current is available for a one-time purchase of $9.99 on iOS, iPad, and Mac, with a web version planned.

The problem with traditional RSS readers

RSS, or Really Simple Syndication, is a format for accessing website updates through feed readers like Feedly or NetNewsWire. It peaked in the early 2000s before social media like Twitter shifted news consumption habits.

Google Reader's 2013 shutdown was a major blow, but the protocol never died. It remains crucial for podcast distribution and dedicated news consumers. However, Godier believes its inbox-style presentation creates unnecessary pressure.

"The number isn't neutral information. It's a measure of social debt," Godier wrote about unread counts. Current aims to remove that burden entirely.

How the river of news works

Current's primary interface is a "river" where content arrives, lingers, and fades away based on its type. Items dim before disappearing, eliminating the need to mark anything as read.

Users assign one of five speeds to each source, dictating how long content remains visible:

• Breaking news stays bright for 3 hours
• News articles last around 18 hours
• Essays remain for 3 days
• Tutorials or evergreen content persist for a week

To dismiss an item, users swipe it away or tap a release button after reading. An undo button prevents accidental removal.

Features for power users and casual readers

Current includes several clever features that enhance the RSS experience. It can fetch full article text even from sites that truncate their feeds, a common practice to drive website visits.

The app also intelligently manages your subscriptions. It will prompt you to quiet sources flooding your feed and suggest removing feeds you regularly skip or pinning those you read enthusiastically.

Other notable features include:

• A webcomics mode for an image-first reading experience
• The ability to mute sources for a week
• Option to pin crucial sources to the top of the river
• OPML import for easy migration from other readers

Focusing on individual voices

A key innovation is the Voices section, which lets users follow individual writers separately from publication feeds. This highlights personal blogs and newsletters within the larger news stream.

Godier has a particular interest in author attribution, having created the Byline specification to add author context to RSS feeds. You can tap any Voice to filter your river to show only their content.

Voices is one of three built-in categories, called "currents." The others are the main River and a Read Later section. Users can create custom currents or get suggestions based on reading patterns.

A stress-free reading experience

The app employs subtle design choices—including font selections, intuitive gestures, and themes—to create a calmer reading environment. The goal is to make RSS approachable for people who aren't professional news consumers or information junkies.

By removing metrics and obligations, Current offers a fundamentally different relationship with news. It treats your feed as something to dip into, not a chore to complete.

With no subscriptions or in-app purchases, the app provides iCloud sync and a straightforward pricing model. It represents a thoughtful reimagining of a classic internet tool for a less anxious age.