You're putting words in my mouth. Some basic functionality and information is important. Not all of it must be pinned to the screen constantly taking up valuable space that could be used for actual valuable content. It boggles my mind why so much space is wasted on a row of page numbers when the overwhelming use case is simply "get me to the latest unread post." Put next/previous page links at the top or bottom of the page if you must, but make them scroll away.

Compare the current FT app to the existing mobile site as displayed in mobile Safari:



Note how nearly the whole screen is devoted to actual content. Even the post metadata like date posted and FT handle scrolls off the screen to make room for more content.

The mobile site is already largely appropriate for FT consumption on the go. I like the idea of a dedicated app for an even better reading/posting experience, but it seems like the execution so far is heading in the wrong direction. I'd rather have an excellent FT reading & posting experience than a mediocre one jammed with pointless features.