Bloggiesta Mini-Challenge: How to Use Pocket to Save Time

Links are constantly catching my attention, saying OPEN ME, LOOK AT ME, READ ME!! But most of the time when I’m perusing Twitter or going through my Google Reader, I don’t have time to read an entire article or watch a video right there and then. So what’s a vixen to do? Save it for later – in Pocket.

 

What is Pocket?

Pocket (formally known as Read It Later) is an internet browser extension and mobile app that allows you to save links to read later. It syncs to your computer and your mobile device automatically and can be viewed anytime, even offline.

Why Use Pocket?

I am constantly finding interesting links on Twitter. There are book reviews I want to read, posts I want to comment on, book recommendations I want to check out on Goodreads, deals and freebies to grab on Amazon – you get the idea – but I’m not always able to get to them RIGHT NOW. At one point I was marking these tweets as ‘favorites’ but that soon got out of control. Then I was emailing tweets to myself.

And how often do you dread opening your Google Reader because you know you’re going to see the infamous 1000+ when looking at the amount of unread items there are to read? I use to mark the posts that I wanted to read later with a ‘star’ but would often forget about them.

Instead, I save them to Pocket. Then I go through my Pocket when I have the time.

How to Use Pocket

I’m going to show you how I use Pocket. Since the two main places I get links from are Twitter and Google Reader, that’s what I’m going to demonstrate.

Chances are you’re already using one of the many Twitter apps that support Pocket. Even the Official Twitter app for iOS supports Pocket. And there are many news and RSS apps that support Pocket as well. I use the Echofon app for Twitter and MobileRSS to access Google Reader so I will be using snapshots from these 2 applications in my demonstration. (Both of these apps are free.)

Here’s how to save your links:

► Save to Pocket from Twitter via the browser extension ◄

From twitter.com, click on the Pocket hyperlink:

Then you’ll see this confirmation message:

► Save to Pocket from Twitter via the mobile app ◄

From your Twitter app, press and hold the link and this menu will pop up:

Select Save to Pocket and you’re done.

► Save to Pocket from Google Reader via the browser extension ◄

From Google Reader, click on the Pocket icon:

Then you’ll see this confirmation message and the Pocket icon will turn red:

► Save to Pocket from Google Reader via the mobile app ◄

From your RSS reader mobile app, click on the Share button and click on Read It Later:

 

 

 

I don’t know why but it still says Read It Later. Just know that Read It Later and Pocket are one in the same.

 

Now, here’s how to access the links you’ve saved to Pocket:

► Via browser extension ◄

Pull up the Pocket website:

And there are all the links you’ve saved to Pocket. 

 

► Via mobile app ◄

Open the Pocket app and you’ll be taken to your queue:

How to Get Pocket

First, you’ll need to sign up for a free account on their website. Once you’ve signed up, bookmark Pocket so you can get to your Pocket queue quickly and easily.

You can install an extension for your internet browser (Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari) or get one of the web based apps or desktop apps. This will help you save stuff to Pocket from your browser.

If you have a mobile device, you can download the Pocket app. It’s available for iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, and iPad), Android, Kindle Fire, Blackberry, and more. 

The Challenge

For this Bloggiesta mini-challenge:

1. Go to Pocket and sign up for a free account.
2. Install an extension for your internet browser (Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari).
3. If you have a mobile device, download the Pocket app. (If you don’t have a mobile device, you can skip this step.)
4. Save an item to your Pocket via the Pocket extension
5. Save an item to your Pocket via the Pocket app. (If you don’t have a mobile device, you can skip this step.)

 

When you’ve completed the challenge, come back here and leave a comment and share your Pocket experience with us. Let us know how you like Pocket and how you plan to use it. And if you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments!