As demand continues to rise for digital spaces that prioritize clarity, user agency, and mental well-being, a new entrant to the mobile news landscape is gaining attention for its refreshing approach to information consumption. Headlines, a minimalist newsreading app developed by indie creator Nandakumar Ramasamy, offers a contemplative alternative to algorithm-driven feeds and attention-fragmenting platforms. Spotlighted in an article titled “Indie App Spotlight: Headlines Offers a News Reading Experience That Isn’t Tiring,” published by StartupNews.fyi, the app is being lauded for its intentional design and user-first experience.
Headlines positions itself as a counterpoint to the noise and distraction of traditional news aggregation services. Rather than optimizing for engagement metrics or endless scroll behavior, the app provides users with a streamlined interface that emphasizes intentionality over frequency. It eschews algorithmic content curation in favor of RSS feed subscriptions, allowing users to select precisely which sources they want to follow—a design decision that lends itself to greater transparency and user control.
According to the StartupNews.fyi article, the core appeal of Headlines lies in its deliberate simplicity. With no persistent notifications, ads, or push-generated urgency, the app fosters what its creator describes as a “calm” reading environment. The goal is not to erase the urgency or complexity of news, but rather to create a space where readers can engage deeply with content on their own terms.
This design philosophy resonates with a growing cohort of digital consumers who are increasingly wary of the mental toll associated with modern information ecosystems. Research has linked the perpetual stream of updates and emotionally charged headlines with heightened stress and decreased attention spans. By contrast, Headlines strips away the high-friction elements of digital media, allowing for a more focused and less emotionally taxing experience.
Unlike mainstream aggregators or algorithm-driven social media timelines, Headlines makes no promises of personalization through predictive modeling. The absence of engagement metrics like likes or shares also signals a conscious rejection of virality as a guiding logic. For Ramasamy, this isn’t a deficiency—it’s a feature. The app’s minimalist aesthetic and functionality are designed to allow content to speak for itself, independent of the structural incentives that often dominate modern media platforms.
Currently available on iOS, Headlines offers three customizable views: a chronological timeline, a reading-focused layout akin to an email inbox, and a starred section for saved articles. These features are geared toward encouraging readers to spend more time with fewer, more meaningful stories. An Android version is reportedly in development, reflecting the growing demand for digital news alternatives that prioritize user well-being.
The indie nature of the app is also noteworthy. Built and maintained by a solo developer outside of venture-backed ecosystems, Headlines represents a broader movement among software creators who are responding to user dissatisfaction with mainstream tech by building tools that reflect principled design choices and personal values.
As information overload increasingly becomes a public concern, platforms like Headlines suggest that there is still space—and need—for applications that prioritize depth over breadth and reader agency over algorithmic control. Whether such models can scale remains in question, but their emergence indicates a real appetite for more humane digital experiences in the realm of news consumption.
