In this day and age, people are looking for newer, faster and easier ways to get their daily news. I tested many mobile news apps to find out which ones are worthwhile, using the criteria of compatibility with both Apple and Android phones, variety of news topics and price (free). Here are my top three picks:
Flipboard has a fun graphic element where you can actually flip up and down through story lines (like you’re turning a page) and then tap on a headline to read more about it. When you download the app, the way you can choose from categories such as: news, business, sports, style, design and travel.
My favorite feature about Flipboard is that it encourages you to sync it with Facebook and Twitter to add your timelines and newsfeeds. It also has the potential to share news on a social media sphere.
With all that said, Flipboard would be much more interesting if it had more variety in its categories. It would also be nice if it allowed you to share and save stories.
Rating: B+
Google Currents
If you’re a fan of anything Google, this is the app for you. To sign in, all you need is a Google account. This app comes with the categories of news, lifestyle, business, science & tech, sports, entertainment and design. For each category, there are pre-loaded sites that you can either choose to keep or get rid of. Google Currents is also very user-friendly in the sense that you can add subscriptions. For example, instead of using the pre-loaded Huffington Post, you can choose to add the Los Angeles Times instead. There are even publications from other countries.
This app also has the option of sharing it via social media. You can share on Google+, Tumblr, e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Pocket and Instapaper.
The only downside to Google Currents is the pre-loaded sites in each category. I think it would be much better to start with a blank slate. That way, users don’t have to go through the extra work to delete the sites they don’t want.
Rating: A
News360
The name says it all: 360! With this app, you really do get the full circle. With more than 30 categories from which to choose, you can customize your app—all without even signing up (although you may choose to sign in with Twitter, Facebook, Google or your email account if you wish).
News360 adds a fun element by having strange categories such as zombies and paranormal. Not to worry, it also has the basics such as arts, politics and business. One feature that I find extremely useful is the option to add local news—something so simple, yet no one else has thought of it. I also like that you have the option to give a thumbs up or a thumbs down to better customize your stories. You may also save and share stories. Not only is News360 compatible with Apple and Android, but it works with Windows as well.
In my opinion, you can’t beat News360! It really has everything you could ever want in a news app.
Rating: A+