Frequently Asked Questions

Your questions about RSS and Lucid Reader, answered.

What is RSS used for?

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RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is used to follow your favorite websites without having to visit them one by one. An RSS reader like Lucid Reader aggregates all new content like blog posts, news articles, and more into a single, organized feed for you to read.

What does the acronym RSS stand for?

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RSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication". It's a standard web format used to publish frequently updated content. Think of it as a subscription to a website's updates.

How does an RSS app like Lucid Reader work?

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You add the RSS feed URL from a website into the app. Lucid Reader then periodically checks that feed for new articles. When it finds them, it fetches the content, cleans it up for readability, and even generates an AI summary if you want one, presenting everything in a clean, organized list.

What is RSS in social media?

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While most major social media platforms have moved away from RSS, it represents a way to follow content directly from the source, free from algorithmic timelines. It puts you in control of what you see. Many blogs and independent creators still offer RSS feeds as a primary way to subscribe to their work.

What does RSS mean on TikTok?

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RSS is not a feature used by TikTok. The term might be used informally by users, but TikTok has its own system for following creators and discovering content within its app. For websites and blogs, RSS remains the standard for direct content subscription.

Is Lucid Reader really free?

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Yes! Lucid Reader is completely free to download and use. All core features including RSS feed reading, bookmarking, and organization are free forever. AI summary features require your own OpenAI API key, which you control and pay for directly with OpenAI.

How does the AI summary feature work?

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You provide your own OpenAI API key, which is stored securely on your device. When you request a summary, the article content is sent to OpenAI's servers, and you receive an intelligent summary in your chosen style: Quick Points, Detailed Analysis, or Bullet Points.

What makes Lucid Reader different from other RSS readers?

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Three key differences: 1) AI-powered summaries with multiple styles, 2) Advanced article scraping that extracts full content and images, and 3) Privacy-first design where all your data stays on your device. Plus, our beautiful glass morphism UI makes reading a pleasure.

Is my data really private?

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Absolutely. All your feeds, bookmarks, settings, and reading data stay on your device. We never collect, store, or analyze your personal information. Your OpenAI API key is stored in your device's secure keychain. Only you have access to your data.

Which devices does Lucid Reader support?

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Lucid Reader is available for iOS (iPhone and iPad) and macOS. Built with SwiftUI for optimal performance and native feel. Your data can sync between devices using iCloud if you choose to enable it.

How much do AI summaries cost?

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We don't charge for AI features. You pay OpenAI directly based on your usage. Typically, summarizing an article costs a fraction of a cent. You can track usage in your OpenAI dashboard and set spending limits to control costs.

What if I need help or have issues?

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We're here to help! You can contact us on Telegram at @luciferdotai. You can also check our help center for common solutions and tips for getting the most out of Lucid Reader.