Nearly two years after it became the first TV news organization to release a dedicated iPad app, ABC news is completely revamping the product. Gone is the “globe” user interface found in the original version of the app, which launched in July, 2010. In its place, the app will take on a more traditional look, with a nontraditional approach to content.
Instead of just updating the stories, pictures and videos throughout the day, the format of the content will change. In the morning, the app will feature a “morning edition,” with headlines, weather and content from “Good Morning America,” including an exclusive video feature anchored by “GMA”s Josh Elliott.
Around noon the app will switch to the “midday edition” or “afternoon edition,” which will have headlines, feature stories and lifestyle stories. In the evening the “evening edition” or “primetime edition” will take over, with a heavy emphasis on video, along with national and international news.
The format came about after research showed that people scanned headlines and read news articles mostly in the morning and afternoon, and were more likely to watch videos in the evening. The ABC O&Os will also get similar apps.
“ABC News and the ABC Owned Television Stations broke the mold and now serve our iPad audience even better than before, delivering the news they need to inform their busy lives,” said ABC News president Ben Sherwood in a statement. “This is a great example of how ABC News and ABC’s eight owned stations are working closely together to give our audience a seamless experience and the best national, international and local news and information.”
The new app is available now as an update in the iOS app store.
Here’s a video demo, hosted by Bill Weir: