Zite newsreader iPad and iPhone apps 'reimagined' and redesigned

Social newsreader app Zite has announced a "complete redesign" of its iPhone and iPad apps. Other platforms will get an update next year, according to a post on the Zite blog.

The "reimagined" Zite 2.0 sees a new design, enhanced discovery, new explore options, Facebook integration, and the updated apps now offer 40,000 interest topics.

Zite is an "intelligent" newsreader app that enables you to connect your social media, Google Reader and bookmarking accounts, delivering personalised news based on your feeds.

It is used by journalists as a way of keeping track of news from their niche and discovering new news sources. It is also of interest to online publishers as readers consume content using the Zite.

Zite launched as an iPad app if March 2011 and was acquired by CNN in August. In October its discovery engine was used to power a new area of the CNN site, CNN Trends.

New features

The changes to the iOS apps include "improved intelligence of the discovery engine powering Zite", the blog post states.

"Zite now knows about 40,000 different topics," and has added Facebook integration. "Now you can link Zite to your Facebook account to get topic suggestions based on your Facebook history," the post explains.

Zite is used by many as it surfaces content from different sources, or as the Zite blog describes them, "fresh voices".

The update also adds explore options. "One of the most important issues with the original Zite was that it’s hard to find and explore new topics," Zite admits. "When you need inspiration check out the topics featured on Zite’s new explore page."

The iPad app also gets a "headline news module" and a "popular on Zite module".

The redesign also introduces a new owl logo and new user interface. "Zite’s page layout algorithm tries to mimick the mind of a news designer, emphasising the most interesting stories," the post states.

For more Zite read out interview with chief executive Mark Johnson.

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