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As you know already, Newsy.com is much more than a website. From our highly rated mobile apps, to our Twitter page, there are a number of ways to connect with Newsy online. Here is a helpful guide to show you the many ways you can follow news across the web and on mobile devices.
RSS
Follow the Newsy RSS Feed on Twitter
Follow the Main Newsy Video RSS Feed
Follow Newsy’s Individual Category RSS Feeds
Social Media
Follow Newsy on Twitter
Connect to Newsy’s Facebook Page
Check in to Newsy on Foursquare
Mobile
Download Newsy.com iPhone App
Download Newsy.com Android App
Download Newsy.com iPad app
Download Newsy.com Intel Atom Netbook App
Video Sharing Sites
Newsy.com Channel on YouTube
NewsyTech Channel on YouTube
Metacafe
DailyMotion
Blip.tv
Additionally, you can add Newsy.com to your Google reader or access our mobile site from your preferred mobile devices. Help others find Newsy by using the share buttons at the bottom of each video. Oh yeah, and don’t forget to check on the latest from the excellent Newsy Blog 
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Twelve weeks after the Newsy for iPad app launched, it continues to be featured in the App Store’s ‘What’s Hot’ section and rank in the top 25 of news iPad apps. Last Friday, iPads went on sale in nine more countries and gauging from increases in downloads and buzz, it’s clear we have global demand for our global news app.
Download it today for free:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/newsy-for-ipad-multisource/id367718944?mt=8
Not to be outdone, the Newsy for iPhone app is ranked in the Top 25 out of news apps available on the iPhone. It’s also available for free:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/newsy-multisource-video news/id330879884?mt=8
Newsy is featured in the ‘Digital’ section of the App Store’s Newsstand section for both the iPhone and the iPad! Thanks, Apple! We’ll continue to build apps that maximize the user experience for these amazing devices.
And the Newsy Android app is rated 4 stars – you can download it for free by searching for ‘Newsy’ in the Android Market.
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Boasting about 60 million users, the Pandora app is one of The App Store’s most popular. If you’ve never used the service, Pandora is an online radio station that allows users to create custom radio channels. For example, if you create a ‘Prince’ station the system will play some Prince songs along with artists who sound like Prince in some way — like Michael Jackson, or Queen. Users then rate the songs, effectively telling the system what they prefer to hear.
The service changed radio, and how we find new music. But changing radio online wasn’t enough for Pandora to survive; the company nearly went out of business. Mobile changed all that, turning a brilliant but dying website into a popular app.
Pandora Founder Tim Westergren says, “it is impossible to overstate” the impact of mobile devices on the company, which doubled its growth after the app release. The service was well suited for appdom - ‘you could be at the gym on a treadmill listening to your personalized radio station,” explains Westergren in an interview with Charlie Rose.
The company seems to benefit every entity it is associated with. Pandora is an advertiser’s dream: it has a huge reach and its users are constantly profiling themselves. Musicians and record labels love it because it gives them more exposure and generates revenue. Along with paying performance fees, Pandora is also the top seller of music in iTunes and on Amazon.
Mobile devices have given Pandora a future, and a very bright one at that. The new iPhone OS allows users to multitask apps so they can play Pandora in the background while they use other apps. The company just partnered with Facebook to allow users to share their music preferences and channels on their profiles, directly from the app/web. It is also working with Ford to create a Bluetooth-controlled version of the app that can be used while driving.
Pandora, like Newsy, is an excellent case study in how mobile devices can revolutionize an industry and the day-to-day lives of its users. What’s your favorite Pandora channel?
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My friend never attended a traditional high school, and as a result, he loves high-school dramas. Those of us who did go to high school know that shows like Gossip Girl and Glee are far from accurate depictions, but some themes ring true like; you stick with the people who share your label, whether that’s ‘jock’ or ‘deadhead’ or ‘chess geek.’ This can have negative implications - it can limit your scope.
Technology has redefined what terms we use to define ’sameness.’ With increasing frequency, users are meting out their online identity by expressing what they prefer. Constant and compounding self-election narrows our scope to things we know we like. But if we only follow the threads of things we like, will we miss out on things we could like?
I’ve written before about the Apple App Store as a closed model that filters out unfavorable content. Recently, Google and Android announced a joint venture to create a DIY App Inventor, software that lets average people create apps. The Android Market, in stark contrast to the App Store, filters out bad or unfavorable apps based on user input - instead of a third-party arbiter. The difference between the two is huge, or is it?
On one hand, it seems like a closed model may just save everyone the time it takes to for the market to weed out unfavorable apps. Conversely, maybe using an open-source market is like catching a song you’ve never heard while tuning your radio dial. It exposes you to something you didn’t know you could like because you haven’t tried it. Maybe it’s both/and. You could find the same new and unknown thing in a closed system but be more assured that it won’t crash because it’s been vetted. Meanwhile, maybe it’s only by seeing what is wrong with un-vetted apps that make subsequent open-source marketed apps better.
Who knows? These answers are impossible to riddle out, and only get curiouser and curiouser the deeper you follow the thread. And that’s the fun of it all, human preference is so nebulous, so indefinable that it can’t be codified or objectively examined. Ultimately, what is most interesting about these questions is that we ask them. That we seek to understand the implications of our differences, or to understand why we choose the things we like, maybe the best way to do that is by seeking out people who like and ‘Like’ the same sorts of things. Finding people who are like us might be the best way to understand those who aren’t.
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Recently, the App Store purged ‘adult themed apps’ - citing that Apple does not condone adult material “finding its way into kids’ hands.” This isn’t the first, or even the most notable instance, of Apple limiting content.
The brand has had a somewhat contentious feud with Adobe and developers alike over its ban on Flash. The move sparked all kinds of backlash from open-source devotees who argue that the ban erodes the egalitarian nature of the web. Ultimately, the App Store is a privately owned, specialized network that can determine its own standards for content.
Specialized networks like the App Store and Android Market have stratified digital media by creating a premium market. For a little extra cash, one can opt-in to a digital universe free of porn bots and buggy software. Some subscriptions even offer ad-free content. This walled marketplace has prompted some to refer to this new trend as the ‘gentrification of the internet.’
Gentrification can also come in the form of pay walls or price points. A recent TVNewsCheck article by Andrew Venacore describes how the iPad commands a higher premium for ads than the internet. Venacore offers several reasons for this trend: higher levels of engagement for rich media iPad ads, niche audiences and the lack of a rigidly defined demand economy given the absence (for now) of huge ad networks like Google AdWords.
Digital gentrification can empower consumers and publishers - offering pricier CPM’s to publishers, and more creative, well-targeted ads to consumers. This means you are less likely to get annoyed by silly “find-your-high-school-best-friend” banners and more likely to see super cool rich media ads like the ones in the June issue of Wired.
Instead of duking it out with smaller advertisers who erode consumer attention by creating inferior ads, advertisers can more strategically position themselves within the walled off world of premium apps.
That last bit has some negative implications for consumers and open source advocates. As Venacore points out, this new model gives publishers an incentive to publish some content exclusively on their apps. However, this type of digital gentrification ultimately provides a greater net benefit for the discerning consumer and free alternatives mean that people who aren’t willing to pay still have access to most digital content.
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Version 2.0 enhances mobile video news experience with new features recommended by users
Columbia, MO – June 7, 2010 - Newsy, a multisource video news service producing daily videos for mobile devices and the web, today debuted an advanced new version of its free iPad app. Since Newsy launched its iPad app in April, it has held a top 15 ranking (reaching all the way to #1) and garnered some of the best user ratings among all the leading news apps.
The new version of the app, based on suggestions from Newsy app users, is built specifically to maximize the features of the Apple iPad. Users can now download Newsy videos and play offline in both standard and high quality as well as scroll past 20 stories in landscape mode and portrait mode. In addition, playlists now automatically save and seamlessly play through from video to video.
“Our first iPad app rocketed up the rankings because we designed it specifically for the iPad,” explains Newsy President Jim Spencer. “Our goal is for Newsy to become synonymous with the words ‘mobile video news.’ Apple’s iPad is a fast-growing platform that allows us to innovate quickly to win customers looking for an exceptional on-the-go news experience.”
The Newsy App for iPad is available for free from the App Store on iPad or at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/newsy-for-ipad-multisource/id367718944?mt=8
A news analyzer, not an aggregator, Newsy offers context with convenience for on the go news users. In 2- to 3-minutes videos, users understand the differences in coverage from media outlets from around the world as well as discover new sources they would not have found on their own.
About Newsy
Newsy ( http://www.newsy.com ) is a multisource video news service that analyzes the world’s news coverage and highlights the key differences in reporting. Through short videos available on the web and mobile devices (iPhone, iPad, Android-based smart phones and Intel Atom-powered netbooks), Newsy accelerates the understanding of how a news story is covered.
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I gotta agree with AVC Blogger Fred Wilson’s explanation of why he prefers web-based browser viewing to using iPad content apps. Wilson’s list of app complaints includes the inability to connect to outside content, and being forced to pay for content that is otherwise free online.
He’s completely right. For the most part, few media outlets are getting past creating digital stand-ins for their print publications. Whether they are mired down with legacy systems or simply lack the imagination for a new platform, they haven’t successfully re-invented themselves for the brave new world of mobile.
Newsy truly understands how to tap into the potential of mobile devices like iPad. This insight partially accounts for our widespread popularity and success on mobile platforms. Newsy apps are consistently among the most popular, highest rated and most talked about news apps on the market.
Newsy’s unique and substantive content aside, there’s a reason why the brand has repeatedly beat out established news providers in the App Store. Newsy knows what mobile users want, and gives it to them … for free. Our app is highly regarded because viewers know it’s not shovelware – they are watching content specifically designed for on-the-go news consumption.
Mobile audiences crave interactivity and customization; they value simple navigation and a familiar interface. These features are why there’s an article in The New York Times entitled, “Missouri’s Newsy Changes Journalism on the iPad.” Viewers can look forward to our upcoming app update, with even more intuitive features, that is based on user feedback.
Other brands will eventually catch up to where Newsy started out. But by the time they do, we believe Newsy will already be synonymous with the words “mobile video news.”
Did I mention that the Newsy iPad app is 100% free? You can download it here
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It seems like smart phones can do just about anything, but can they save newspapers? Newsonomics blogger Ken Doctor thinks so - in this article, Doctor describes how location-based mobile advertising could revive the old advertising-based business model of news media.
Doctor points to companies like Verve Wireless, which serves over 400 news sites. Verve focuses their local efforts on training old media professionals how to sell on mobile platforms. Most importantly, they are working to set CPM price floors, eroding the myth that advertising revenue is no longer a viable source of funding for news content.
These efforts get to the heart of what traditional media needs most - to adapt. There’s no shortage of articles about how newspapers are dying - how the web/bloggers/YouTube kittens are stealing away audiences. Verve and companies like it are amongst the first to recognize that people are willing to pay for news the same way they always have - through subscriptions and ad impressions. Only now subscriptions are bought in app stores and ads follow you wherever you go.
“What’s apparent is how early we are in local mobile selling - and how far away it is today from adding appreciably to news site revenues,” explains Doctor, further reinforcing that it isn’t just news organizations that need to adapt. Local vendors, consumers and advertisers have to evolve in tandem.
Newsy is at the forefront of this desperately needed revolution. With a full range of mobile apps - and dynamic and unique content - we are poised to incubate this updated revenue model and welcome news media to the brave new world of mobile.
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Newsy’s highly rated iPad app (4+ stars) now sits back in the Top 10 - thank you for your great ratings and to the folks at Apple who have created the game-changing iPad for news - we are now a “Staff Favorite.”
We built this app by listening to you and to what users want for mobile news in terms of content and delivery - we’re thrilled to have met so many people’s demands. Thanks for all your suggestions - you’ll see a new update coming soon.
Here are a couple of reviews of the Newsy app:
“This is what the iPad is made for. I love to consume media via this free easy to use app!” by Joeatwal
“Simply put, this is news done right! Very well put together news stories with excellent sources and quotes. Superb, a MUST download.” - by CandyNJ66
The Newsy App for iPad is available for free from the App Store - here’s the link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/newsy-for-ipad-multisource/id367718944?mt=8
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The Newsy App for iPad has landed in the ‘What’s Hot’ section of the iTunes App Store for the SECOND time.
Apple’s ‘What’s Hot’ section, highly coveted by app creators, recognizes useful, buzz-worthy and quality apps.
Newsy is one of the highest rated of the top-ranking news apps - with the same rating as the highly regarded NPR app.
The iPad is creating a great opportunity for the future of news and we are pleased to be building an app that pushes the envelope and the iPad to deliver on that promise (news customization, community and clarity).
Currently we’re working on the next version of the iPad app - so please get in touch with the features you want! Email us at webfeedback@newsy.com.
The Newsy App for iPad is available for free from the App Store - here’s the link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/newsy-for-ipad-multisource/id367718944?mt=8
Don’t have an iPad yet? The Newsy iPhone app is the next best thing - you can download it for free as well here:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/newsy-multisource-video-news/id330879884?mt=8
