It's really right at your fingertips, and it's much easier to get to content and also easier to continue the reading experience.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Deseret News has officially launched a new app for iPads and iPhones.
"Just in the last couple of weeks we've launched it to the general public and it's taken off like hotcakes," said Chris Higbee, the general manager of DeseretNews.com.
More than 17,000 have already downloaded the new, free app. The app is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. It requires iOS 4.0. Users have also given the new app a 3-and-a-half star rating. An Android version has not been released.
The app contains the latest news, weather, sports, photos and other content, all accessible with a tap and a swipe.
"It's really right at your fingertips, and it's much easier to get to content and also easier to continue the reading experience," Higbee said. "You will have 16 stories at your fingertips."
The difference between the Deseret News web version and the new app is minimal in terms of content, but the app is simpler, Higbee said. The user does not have to click on links or return to the home page to navigate somewhere else.
"You can just swipe through the story, just like turning the pages of a book, magazine or newspaper," Higbee said. "You can go right from one story to the next."
One of the most noteworthy features of the app is its ability to showcase photographs. Users were able to swipe through last week's galleries of sports and also photos of the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.
"We feel like this app presents the news in a very rich and engaging way," Higbee said.
The Deseret News iPad app was designed for faster content loading and fewer spinning icons.
The content is updated whenever the user is connected to the Internet.
"Whether you want the sit-back newspaper experience or the lean-forward interactive experience, this app is great," Higbee said.
Contributing: Keith McCord
Email: ttoone@desnews.com