CNBC plays up real-time data with revamped Android app

CNBC’s redesigned Android app

CNBC has redesigned its Android application to provide more real-time data, news and analysis.
 
The Android app provides options for both pre-market and after-hours data, appealing to CNBC’s users around the world. The goal behind the app refresh is for CNBC to have an identical experience across desktops, smartphones or tablets.
 
“We wish to be sure that irrespective of which platform they use they can see continuity,” said Scott Boyarsky, senior vp of technology at CNBC, Englewood Cliffs, NJ. “We do not want there to be a learning curve or confusion once you go from platform to platform.”
 
“For advertisers, it’s simple: There’s more advertising,” he said. “We’ve really unfolded the door for advertisers with spaces and the way to advertise.
 
“Banner ads, inline with article pages, bottom-of-section fronts: It’s just kind of the start of other [ad formats] we’ll offer advertisers down the street.”
 
Consistent offerings
The updated CNBC Android phone app encompasses a new homepage and navigation. Users can select either the us or international edition of CNBC.com content, including slideshows and special reports.
 
Users can personalize their experience by adding a “favorite” news sections to the navigation for speedy access or through the use of the “My Stocks” personalization tool, which permits them to create and track their favorite company stocks in real-time.
 
The Android app also features real-time stock market data direct from the NYSE, NYSE ARCA, NASDAQ, London Stock Exchange and Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
 
It offers extended hours and pre-markets coverage of the NYSE, NYSE ARCA and NASDAQ.
 
In addition, the redesigned Android app connects users to CNBC’s exclusive breaking news, including alerts through push notifications. Consumers can view greater than 150 on-demand videos, that are added daily from CNBC’s global television networks broadcast from the U.S., Europe and Asia.
 

A screenshot of the app

Mobile menu
The Android app updates CNBC’s suite of mobile offerings, which incorporates a mobile Web page and iPhone, iPad and BlackBerry apps.

CNBC’s mobile offering includes one URL, http://www.cnbc.com, which detects users’ devices and directs them to either its mobile or Internet sites.

CNBC first launched its Android app in March 2010. The redesigned Android app was beta tested for 2 weeks before the official launch on Nov. 25. It’s available without cost in Google Play.

Since its release, daily unique visitors to the CNBC Android app are up 22 percent in comparison with an identical period last year, in step with Omniture Site Catalyst. Page views also are up 98 percent, in comparison to the identical period in 2012.

“It’s our want to offer our users a 360-degree experience,” Mr. Boyarsky said. “We wish to make certain our users can interface with CNBC’s content anywhere.”

Final Take
Kari Jensen is staff writer on Mobile Marketer, New York