Archive for the ‘Mobile’ Category

ESPN to rebrand ESPN360.com as ESPN3.com

In an interesting move, ESPN will rename it’s broadband channel April 4.

“The name ESPN3.com more closely aligns with the existing naming convention for our networks,” said Sean Bratches, executive vice president, sales and marketing. “We have approached this as a network for years, and as users have become more accustomed to engaging with content across various screens, it made sense to make adjustments that reflect both the product’s and the industry’s evolution.”

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CNN launches new iPhone App

Via PC World, CNN has rolled out a new iPhone app that is by far the best currently available.

On Tuesday morning, CNN introduced an iPhone app that puts to shame similar products. Featuring live newscasts, video-on-demand, and a familiar iPhone interface, the CNN iPhone app also takes a step ahead of other news apps by charging $2 for the download.

The $2 CNN iPhone app is now available for download in the iTunes store (U.S. only at the moment). Besides the regular text and photo content that a free single-source news app usually delivers, the CNN iPhone app steals the spotlight with live video streaming for breaking news and on-demand video of recent newscasts.

The app is available for $2 and can be downloaded from the iTunes Store at this link.

Read More for more pictures and features.

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N.M. reporter reports live with iPhone, Qik Web site

Poynter’s Al Tompkins has an interview with Albuquerque, N.M. station KOB-TV reporter Jeremy Jojola, who recently used an iPhone and Web service called Qik.

The interview explains how the service works and some of the challenges and pitfalls, including the challenges of cueing talent and improving audio problems. Jojola also explains some of the ways he sees this type of reporting having an advantage over old-style ways.

iPhone 3G S proves viable camera for news reports

Miami’s WFOR-TV’s news director Adrienne Roark had producer Gio Benitez cover the launch of the new iPhone 3G S with the device itself. That included standing in line at the local Apple store to pick up the coveted device.

Surprisingly to Benitez, the video quality and ease of use suggest the iPhone 3G S could be a viable alternative to a traditional news camera. Of course, the quality won’t be as high as HD cameras can deliver, but for breaking news situations or locations where having a full-size camera isn’t feasible, it seems to be a good option.

Read the story here and watch Benitez’s report here.

Hearst partners with Kickapps for social networking

Via Webnewser, Hearst-Argyle Television has teamed up with social networking site Kickapps to provide a backend for “user-generated content and social-media functionality for the company’s nation-wide network of television-station websites.”

Branded ‘u local,’ the KickApps-powered features will enable local residents to engage in discussions about news topics most important to their community and upload their own photos and videos. The u local brand and platform will roll out to a total of 25 Hearst-Argyle Television websites throughout the first half of 2009, the company noted.

“Our newsrooms continue to evolve to accommodate 24/7 local coverage and viewer engagement,” said Jacques Natz, director of digital content for Hearst-Argyle Television. “The launch of u local is a step forward in opening up this process to Hearst-Argyle viewers. We’re excited to work with KickApps to meet the changing demands of our audiences on-air and online.”

Read the full story on TradeMarkets.com.

Ring in breaking news with CNN

CNN has now added CNN ringtones on various show pages on CNN.com. Now your phone can ring with the voice of Wolf Blitzer welcoming your call into The Situation Room. Ringtones are available from various CNN shows including The Situation Room, Larry King Live, Nancy Grace and others.

You can download the MP3 or have it sent to your phone by texting: 26688 with the name of the ringtone you want. For example, The Sitation Room theme is WOLF1. For more information visit the show pages at CNN.com. Here are a few quick links: The Siatution Room and Larry King Live.

WX Channel adds iPhone app

The Weather Channel has launched in iPhone application that provides weather information and video clips.

The new app includes a unique “multi-layer” design that allows users to customize the map view to their liking and with the information they find most relevant in very specific locations.

The program offers more than just maps and data, though. Users are able to access video forecasts and other video clips.

A tabbed navigation is designed to accomodate the many features of the application into the relatively small screen of the iPhone.

As shown in the screen grab at right, the app also includes advertising along the bottom to support the content.

Details and the download are available here from the Weather Channel’s mobile site.