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How to download news and other content automatically with RSS feeds

Submitted Friday, December 8, 2006
Overview: 
Install NewsBreak (iliumsoft.com), PocketRSS (happyjackroad.net), or another RSS news reader program on your Windows Mobile device; specify the news feeds you’re interested in; have them delivered to your Internet-connected device automatically.
Prerequisites: 
  • A live Internet connection
  • An RSS aggregator installed on your device
Here’s how to do it:
RSS is a system that lets Web sites make content available in the form of a “feed.” You can subscribe to one or more of these feeds and have content—in the form of news headlines and content summaries—delivered to a computer or mobile device on a regular basis. If one of the items catches your attention, you can click on a link and the complete item is downloaded from the Web site.
To access RSS feeds, the computer or mobile device must have an “RSS reader” program installed (a.k.a. “RSS aggregator” or “feed reader”). The RSS reader lets the user subscribe to an RSS feed and automatically download content. There are many RSS reader programs available for PCs and Macs, and a few for Windows Mobile devices. Check out one of these free or low-cost programs:
  • NewsBreak (iliumsoft.com): Available for touch screen devices (Pocket PCs) and non-touch screen smartphones.
  • RSSHome (rsshome.com): Available for smartphones only.
  • NewsGator Go (newsgator.com): Available for Pocket PCs and smartphones.
  • FeaderReader (feaderreader.com): Available for Pocket PCs.
  • PocketRSS (happyjackroad.net): Available for Pocket PCs.
TIP: Every RSS reader program has a slightly different way of adding a feed to their subscription list. After you have installed the program on your Windows Mobile device, look for something called “Add Feed” or “Open RSS Feed.” You’ll generally see a text box that allows you to type in the URL of the feed, which you find by clicking on the small orange button, or the words XML or RSS. If you have trouble with this, check out the user manual.
Content Location: 
On Site
Based on material from Microsoft.com
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