CES 2014: Yahoo unveils news summary app
Yahoo has launched a news summary app that aims to deliver two daily briefings of eight to nine stories most likely to interest its users.
By Leo KelionTechnology reporter The News Digest app claims to present readers with "all the stories you need to know about" and brings up a graphic saying "Done" when they have been read. It is based on Summly, an app created by British teenager Nick D'Aloisio, who now works for Yahoo. Media analysts are split over the need for such a product. Mark Mulligan, editor of the Media Industry Blog said the facility could address the needs of busy consumers. "There's a huge amount of information of varying quality being created, and people require a way to steer through all the news - it's a tyranny of choice," he told the BBC. "The idea of cutting through the clutter and being a trusted curator that can offer quality bite-sized chunks of information definitely addresses a need." But consultant Bob Eggington, who helped launch BBC News Online, was more sceptical. "If people are being told they have read enough news they are being misled," he said. "What Yahoo is saying is: 'We will try to tell you the things we know about that we think are of interest to you' - and both of those statements are highly imperfect." News of the app's release was revealed by Mr D'Aloisio during a presentation hosted by Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Atomised news Yahoo News Digest uses software algorithms to scour a variety of online publications including Reuters, Associated Press, Business Insider and Sky News. It then assembles the information gathered into what it terms "atoms", which are selected chunks of text, infographics, maps and Wikipedia extracts about each topic alongside photos, videos and links to the news sources. "We found that people were willing to consume more content when it was boiled down to the most important bits," said Mr D'Aloisio on the company's blog. At present the app is only available on the US iPhone App Store and does not allow users to customise the type of stories most likely to interest them. Android app acquired Yahoo's news ambitions extend beyond the app. Ms Mayer's Keynote Address revealed that Yahoo Tech, a advertising-supported technology news site overseen by ex-New York Times writer David Pogue, was now online. The chief executive also introduced a new digital magazine called Yahoo Food. In addition, Ms Mayer revealed her firm had taken over Aviate. The Android app analyses a phone's wi-fi signal, GPS location data and accelerometer sensor to study a user's habits in order to anticipate their needs. For instance it can then bring up a selection of installed workout apps when it believes the handset owner is at the gym or display bus arrival information when it thinks they are waiting for transport. Advertising overhaul Investors will probably be more interested in news that Yahoo has unified its suite of digital advertising products. Facebook recently overtook Yahoo to become the US' second biggest digital ad seller, according to research firm eMarketer. Google remains the market leader. It adds that the Yahoo's share of worldwide digital ad revenues dropped from 3.4% in 2012 to 2.9% in 2013. To help address this the web portal has launched three new products and platforms: In addition the firm announced that sponsored posts on Tumblr - the blogging platform it acquired in May - would now be powered by the firm's Yahoo Advertising products.