Headline is a distinctive-looking newsreader for OS X that offers a different reading experience than you might be used to from popular RSS apps like NetNewsWire or Newsfire. To maintain a small desktop footprint, Headline lists stories in a compact one-column layout that can be quickly sorted using a dropdown. It displays the full stories using a slick, Quick-Look-like effect, taking advantage of Core Animation. And now this reader has reached its 1.0 release!

Headline definitely has potential, but with its major competitors switching to a free model, you're going to have to really fall in love with its unique UI to pay the $20 pricetag. That said, we do really like the minimalism of Headline, and it would be nice to other newsreaders develop a mini-mode that mimics the one-column layout. You might also want to check out Headline if you subscribe to podcasts via RSS, but aren't a fan of iTunes, as Headline can play them inline.