Velocity is a new iPhone app from Lickability that brings speed reading to the masses. After hooking the app up to a Pocket or Instapaper account, users can open their articles to have the words flash by at up to 1,000 words per minute. (I prefer mine set to about 340.)

I didn't think this app would be for me at first, but after trying it out, I can honestly tell you that it has so far helped me stay focused on what I'm reading rather than letting my mind wander, and I'm getting through items in my queue at a surprising rate. It doesn't hurt that the app is quite beautiful to look at, with nice little whimsical touches throughout.

The app has three themes, and while articles can be read in a more traditional view, research has shown that showing just one or two words at time in quick succession allows people to absorb information much faster. At just $2.99, it's a great deal.