July 9, 2013

The Guardian has introduced updates to its Android mobile application to create a far better user experience for its readers.

The British newspaper decided to make a number of changes to its Android app, including a brand new search for advertisements, the facility to avoid wasting articles for later and improved swiping features to flip through articles. The updated app is obtainable without cost in Google Play.

“Updates to apps are an ideal a part of the method of constant improvement within the app’s usefulness, features and functionality,” said Simon Buckingham, CEO of Appitalism. “It is normally so much easier to continuously add updates to an existing app than start with publishing a brand new app, so it is sensible to adapt the app frequently.”

Mr. Buckingham isn’t affiliated with The Guardian. He commented in keeping with his expertise at the subject.

The Guardian didn’t reply to press inquiries.

Relocating ads
The new app update switches up where ads appear inside the reading experience.

Previously, advertisements were located on the bottom of the screen, but users found themselves accidentally tapping at the ads when attempting to access the Android’s system bar, per The Guardian.

Now, advertisements can be found in-stream and disappear once users begin reading and scrolling. This alleviates the mis-tapping problem and creates more room for content.

Publishers nowadays are constantly searching for new revenue models, and the hot app lets The Guardian offer new types of native-like advertising for clients.

The updated app makes it possible for an improved reading experience

Save for later
Another new feature at the Guardian app allows users to avoid wasting articles indefinitely.

This feature can also be in accordance with user feedback. Users were frequently emailing themselves links to articles or seeking to remember headlines to Google them afterward.

With this new save feature, users should be capable of easily mark a piece of writing to read later for speedy access sooner or later.

Users can tap at the bookmark icon within the action bar or choose “Save page” within the menu. The content will then be saved at the phone for so long as the user desires.

The content can also be accessible offline from a piece on the bottom of the homescreen of the app.

Additionally, The Guardian hopes to feature another update to this option that will sync saved articles with a user’s account, allowing users to access saved articles on any device.

A reader can easily save this text to read later

Swipe on
The third update to the Guardian’s app is the power to swipe around the screen to load a brand new article.

At the base of an editorial , a user can swipe as much as read a better article within the section. On the top of an editorial , a user can swipe all the way down to read the former article within the section.

At any point within the article, a user can swipe up or down with two fingers to access subsequent articles.
Additionally, a user can swipe right for related content and left for comments.

This is supposed in order for users shall be capable of seamlessly continue engaging with the app after they finish a specific article, per The Guardian.

The Guardian looks looking to get users to spend more time with its app and access more articles. The better it can be to flip between articles, the much more likely readers are to remain at the app for an extended time frame.

Mobile Reading
The new updates to the Guardian’s app follow an extended history of mobile engagement for the publisher.

For example, the publisher’s mobile traffic reached an all-time high this past February after the company’s 2012 launch of a responsive site. The Guardian’s mobile site monthly unique visitors grew 45 percent year-over-year (see story).

The company also released an iPad app in 2011 to expand its mobile strategy (see story).

“Being in a position to save articles for later and swipe to go through news articles don’t seem to be unique, but can certainly add to The Guardian’s app’s usability,” Mr. Buckingham said. 

“In the longer term, apps will continue to incrementally improve their usability with new features and functionality, often learning from their peers’ and competitors’ apps and general app best practices,” he said.

Final Take
Rebecca Borison is editorial assistant on Mobile Marketer, New York