Reading should feel like floating, not drowning
Current is built on a simple premise: your feeds should be a river you float down, not an inbox you're obligated to clear.
The Problem with Traditional Readers
Most RSS readers are designed around the metaphor of an inbox. Every article is an item to be processed, every feed generates unread counts, and the goal is always to "get to zero."
- Inbox Anxiety
The ever-present badge showing hundreds of unread items creates guilt and stress
- Obligation Over Interest
You read articles because they're "unread," not because they interest you
- All Content is Equal
A breaking news alert is treated the same as a year-old essay
- No Sense of Completion
There's always more to read, no natural stopping point
The River Metaphor
Current treats your feeds as a river that flows naturally. Content arrives at the pace your sources publish, passes by whether you read it or not, and the river keeps flowing.
- Inbox Problems
- Items pile up, demanding attention
- Goal is to clear the queue
- Never truly "done"
- Creates anxiety and obligation
+ River Benefits
- Content flows naturally
- Engage with what interests you
- Environmental cues show "caught up"
- Feels calm and sustainable
Core Design Principles
Typography as Hero
Reading is the core experience, so typography takes center stage. The interface should disappear when you're reading. We've carefully selected fonts, optimized line lengths, and tuned spacing to create an experience that feels like reading a beautifully typeset book.
Color as Punctuation
Color is used sparingly and meaningfully. The teal accent marks things that are "yours": saved articles, personal collections. Fresh content has a subtle highlight. The overall palette is calm and non-distracting, letting the content shine.
Motion That Feels Alive
Every animation in Current is designed to feel natural and organic. Springs have carefully tuned damping, interactions have appropriate weight and momentum. The app feels alive without being distracting. Like a quiet stream, not a rushing waterfall.
Ambient Closure
Instead of showing unread counts, Current uses environmental cues to let you know when you're caught up. A soft message appears, the interface relaxes, and you can close the app with satisfaction. You don't need to count. You can feel it.
Respect for Attention
Current never demands your attention. No notification badges, no aggressive alerts, no dark patterns to increase engagement. We want you to read what matters to you, then go do something else.
Content Velocity
Not all content is created equal. A breaking news story has a different lifespan than a thoughtful essay. Current automatically categorizes content by its velocity:
Hot news that matters now
Today's stories
Analysis and features
Long-form, thoughtful pieces
Timeless content that stays relevant
Smart by design
People, Not Just Feeds
RSS traditionally follows feeds, URLs that emit content. But the best content comes from people you trust. Current's Authors feature lets you follow specific writers and build relationships over time.
Build Real Connections
You'll know when someone returns after being quiet. You'll see your relationship depth grow as you engage with their work. It's a more human way to stay connected with the writers who matter to you.
The Goal
Current is designed for readers who want to stay informed without being overwhelmed. For people who care about what they read and want a beautiful experience doing it. For those who believe reading should be a pleasure, not a chore.
"Reading should feel like floating down a river. Items naturally flow past, you engage with what interests you, and you emerge feeling refreshed rather than anxious. The interface disappears. Typography leads. Motion is felt, not seen."
Built for those who still believe in the quiet act of reading. Welcome to the river.