Crikey, two updates about media dinosaurs getting in on the app scene in quick succession! The Guardian is reporting today that the London Evening Standard, a long-running, post-work newspaper for crushed commuters to sob into on their way home, has announced the release of a slew of free mobile apps – one of which promises daily news updates on Android.
Built in association with outsourced, off-the-shelf app maker Handmark, the Standard’s app lets users read the day’s news and ping links to stories across to Twitter and Facebook, so even if you don’t live in London you can now live in London vicariously through the ES app.
We’ve just had a look on the UK Android Market and it is indeed up and ready for download – a search for “Evening Standard” should bring it up. Or you can get it direct via Handmark.
The Android Market listing says the app was last updated at the end of April, so it’s not actually the newest thing around. Perhaps it’s the iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and Symbian versions that are new?
And here’s a bloody QR code for it, seeing as we’ve clearly not got much else to do today.
Motorola’s latest flagship dual-core Android monster is a massive, original powerhouse, that’s a big improvement on previous MOTOBLUR mobiles – but still isn’t a total winner.
A slim and glamorous phone from Sony Ericsson, with the sharpest display around. It’s no powerhouse and the screen’s not the biggest out there, but we don’t mind. Because it’s cute.
LG’s first glasses-free 3D phone is a heavy, fat monster, with a clever 3D effect that works rather well. As a smartphone, though, it’s heavy and underwhelming.
A very shiny thing from Sony Ericsson, with a 3.7″ screen and Android 2.3.3 inside. But is it exciting enough to win fans in today’s spec-obsessed market? Can man live on one core alone?
INQ’s Android phone is an interesting “boutique” piece of hardware, packed with unique interface customisations that go far beyond the headline Facebook integration. We like it a lot.
Bristolboy
/ May 24, 2010Just found this and it is good to see that some of the older media groups are getting onto the Android bandwagon. Notice that the app had a period of rubbish reviews from beginning of May until about the 20th as it wouldn’t update – more recent reviews seem to be more positive. With a better rating it is likely more people will download the app and use the app. If the Evening Standard publicise this I can see many more downloads and there could be a virtuitious circle with ES publicising it resulting in lots of downloads which in turn encourages ES to publicise it further. What’s more, I think this is the first major UK newspaper to have an official app so there will be less competition from other services. Finally it is somewhat unknown at the moment but were it to get to the top news app section I can see a lot more attention.
James Cridland
/ May 25, 2010From this Google Nexus One user (on Android 2.2) – “Evening Standard” finds nothing, and nor does the QR code you’ve linked to. Hmm…
Gary C
/ May 26, 2010I suspect that’s because your 2.2 Nexus isn’t able to see all the apps on the Market, due to not being an “official” release just yet. I’ve got the ES app on my 1.6 Magic.
And I’m pretending to be in London right now.