Fox News launches iPad app

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Built upon the success of its iPhone app, Fox News is announcing 6/1 the release of its official iPad app, a visually-focused news experience with ExxonMobil as the launch partner. The free app, now available in the App Store, is divided into two sections: “Happening Now” and a story timeline.


The top half (in landscape or portrait mode) displays images and videos from the top stories of the day. It allows users to swipe through and access breaking stories through a visual interface. The bottom half is a timeline view where users can access top stories, info on Fox News shows and see their favorite articles and videos. The iPad app also includes access to Fox News Radio and the Fox News ticker at the bottom of the app. Fox News has also made sure that the app includes sharing options via Twitter, Facebook and email.

App Highlights:
– Swipe through Happening Now for a quick glance of the latest news.
– Live FOX News Channel ticker.
– Browse all of the most recent articles, videos clips, and slideshows from foxnews.com
– Sort by content type to find what you’re most interested in.
– Share your favorite information on Facebook, Twitter, or via email.
– Add stories to your Favorites to save for later.
– Watch live coverage of major news events from the FOX News Channel.
– Watch Foxnews.com Live weekdays from 9AM – 3PM ET.
– View video clips from your favorite FOX News programs and find out what’s coming up on FOX News Channel!
– Subscribe to breaking news push alerts and be the first to know when news breaks
– Listen to FOX News Radio anytime, anywhere.

It should have no problem getting eyeballs: The Fox News iPhone app was the most downloaded free news app of 2010, beating CNN and The NY Times. Fox News’s mobile website now has 12 million monthly unique visitors, up from 4 million a year ago, according to Nielsen.

ExxonMobil has prominent placement throughout the app. “We decided we wanted to work with one sponsor,” Jeremy Steinberg, Fox News VP of digital media ad sales and business development told Mashable, explaining that there are always question marks surrounding a launch, so Fox News wanted a partner comfortable with that.

Steinberg also noted the app currently doesn’t offer live video, but it may have it in the future, depending on cable deals. Users can also expect other advertisers to eventually populate the app.