Newsy: Multisource Video News is a service that offers condensed bites of news stories taken from different sources, i.e. round-ups of the same story broadcasted by different sources are recapped in one video that’s no longer than two to three minutes. As an example, a news round-up for Google+ might contain tidbits by the Washington Post, Techcrunch as well as a not-so-well-known blog. Newsy’s approach is to feature a lot of blog content, which is quite common in North America, though not so much (yet) in Europe.
First impressions: pretty good, actually! The app has a nice clean look and feel to it. It runs in horizontal mode only, but I’m not too fussed about that. Swipe and select a news story from the ‘news catalogue’. There’s a menu harbouring option for switching on the transcript feature, forwarding the video as well as looking up the sources the video draws from (I personally look stuff up a lot, hence why I found this to be a very useful function indeed). Playback is, of course, also an option; two minutes and you get a pretty good idea of the topic you’re interested in.
That’s about all there is to say about the app’s functions. Now comes the trickier bit: evaluating this app. Let me start by saying that I use the iPhone and iPad version of Newsy on a regular basis. What I noticed is that the Android version is more or less identical to the other versions of Newsy, which is a bit of a shame seeing as the app doesn’t make the most out of the full spectrum of Android potential.
‘Ported’ apps tend to look a lot like the original programmes, but the fact that Newsy didn’t even bother updating the menu button did put a bee in my bonnet. Furthermore, certain functions that exist in the iPhone and iPad versions are missing from the Android app: favourite lists for videos, the option to display a transcript whilst a video is playing as well as classifying videos. It all seems a little lackluster and the fact that the application is ported is pretty in your face.
Bottom line:
Newsy has a lot of great things going for it, but a few drawbacks, too. The informational and educational value is brilliant—the slogan ‘Multiple sources. The real story’ seems apt in this regard. At the same time the app does come across as very obviously ported, almost as though the developer’s hearts weren’t in it, and I think Android deserves better than that. Newsy has so much potential and this version seems premature, and it’s a pity because it really takes the focus off the great idea being the app.
Furthermore, I should add that Newsy targets American users, so a lot of content will be irrelevant for other users.
Glenn
Jul 8, 2012 2:20:46 AM
Not working with ICS ICS now makes screen zoomed in too far. but they are working on it, apparently
Keith
Jul 7, 2012 5:44:24 PM
Screw you newsy Doesn't even fit the screen what a joke screw you NEWSY
Mike
Jul 5, 2012 6:48:54 AM
Moto Droid Razr Maxx Since the Ice Cream update the app no longer displays properly for use... fyi
LL
Jul 4, 2012 5:18:34 AM
%$#@& Stopped working after ice cream sandwich update.
Lawrence
Jul 3, 2012 10:55:21 PM
Need to update ap for ICS
Kc
Jul 2, 2012 2:33:58 AM
Come on Newsy! Android Tablets need love too Used the iPad version of this app for a while. Very nice tablet interface. For some reason Newsy doesn't even feel that android tablet owners deserve an iOS port if not a good tablet experience. Their tablet app on IOS is top rate. Please show android users the same love. There are more Android users than iOS after all. And with the Nexus 7 around the corner I suspect the Android tablets are going to start growing fast. Please get on board.
Craig
Jun 13, 2012 7:21:10 AM
used to be good Use to be good on gingerbread that sux in ice cream sandwich. Doesn't fit to screen can't access controls
Tim
Jun 12, 2012 10:10:49 PM
Best news app ever
Timon
Jun 1, 2012 1:48:39 AM
Meh. Not great or even close Not customizable and there are only a few stories to watch. I wouldn't recommend the app. In fact I'm installing it.
akpaul
May 27, 2012 7:51:41 AM
Left leaning content ... Poor Android Interface. NEWSY is all about Apple. They don't seem to care about the Android app.