SPECIFICATIONS/VERSION HISTORY

   
With the release of NewsBreak v2.0 we see a many improvements and new features
such as:

• Listen to
  podcasts, watch vidcasts, and view attached
  files and images
• Schedule when
  to download podcasts
• 
  Save your podcasts to play back later
• Store podcasts
  on a memory card or specify how much space to
  use in main memory
• Added
  Microsoft Live Search support
• (Fix)
  Individually mark item as read or unread
• (Enhancement)
  Improved one-handed navigation and menus

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AT A GLANCE

In v2.0 users now have
an option to search for podcasts and feeds using the
built in Microsoft Live Search.

NewsBreak now supports
audio and video podcasts with flexible options for
storage. Schedule when and where to
download files and you can play back the files anytime!

NewsBreak also sports
more keyword icons along with the existing option to
create your own. Improved graphics can be found through out
the application.

Article view on a SmartPhone device.

THE DRAWING BOARD

   The
few minor bugs from v1.x have been resolved including the ability to
mark an article as read or unread. One feature I would really like to
see is an option to download article images for offline reading. My
typical usage scenario is to sync, download new articles (refresh
channels) and go! While NewsBreak will download the podcast audio/video,
images aren’t downloaded unless there is an active internet connection.

   One
other feature I would like to see is the ability to
exit NewsBreak from the main menu. Since I don’t
have access to the internet all the time I prefer to
not have the application running in the background.
Although many users take advantage of the auto
update feature combined with notifications.

PURCHASING

   
You can try NewsBreak for 30 days afterwards it can
be purchased directly from

Ilium’s web site for *$19.95 USD. Major upgrades
are free for 90 days and all minor revision upgrades
are free regardless of the 90 day limit. For more
information see Ilium’s

upgrade policy. If you purchased NewsBreak v1.2
after 12/6/2006 then you are entitled to a free
upgrade to v2.0.

    *For a limited time only you can purchase NewsBreak
for $7.95

PROS

• Schedule when to download podcasts
• Save your podcasts to play back later
• Find more channels with Microsoft Live Search
• Set notifications for keywords
• Excellent speed and
  performance

CONS

• Images aren’t downloaded for
  offline viewing
• No option to exit the
  application
• Unable to
  tap & hold to copy article text

Value
Ease of Use
Features
Overall

What
do these ratings mean?

OVERALL IMPRESSION

    NewsBreak is still my
first choice for reading syndicated feeds. NewsBreak
offers ease of use and excellent performance along
with world class service and support. Users can get started right
away and the default configuration should suit most
peoples needs.