WSJ launches new iPad, iPhone app

The Wall Street Journal announced Wednesday the launch of a new application for iPad and iPhone.

The app includes all the sections of the newspaper, plus a “Latest News” section, updated 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It includes regional editions for Europe and Asia. Readers in Japan also have access to “Latest News” in Japanese.

“As we celebrate our 125th anniversary, it is a fitting time to rededicate ourselves to the task of producing the finest, most reliable world-class journalism, executed for a modern audience in a contemporary way,” said Gerard Baker, editor in chief of The Journal. “Continuing our drive for innovation, this is the next step in enhancing The Wall Street Journal’s digital offering. With a sleek design and user friendly interface, our new app brings readers the latest news, most penetrating analysis and most stimulating commentary from around the world in the most up-to-date format anywhere.”

More than 85 percent of WSJ app usage is on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

New functions include:

Today Widget: The app takes advantage of Today widgets in Notification Center with iOS 8, providing users a convenient new way to access the “Latest News” right from the Today view. Tapping on a story opens it in the WSJ App.
Interactive Notifications: The app integrates with iOS 8’s new interactive Notification Center, offering users an easy way to decide whether they want to read a breaking news alert immediately, dismiss it, or save the story for later.
Handoff: Readers can seamlessly switch from one iOS device to another and continue to read the same story.
Adaptive UI: The iPhone experience is optimized for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

Chris Roush

Chris Roush was the dean of the School of Communications at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. He was previously Walter E. Hussman Sr. Distinguished Professor in business journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill. He is a former business journalist for Bloomberg News, Businessweek, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Tampa Tribune and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. He is the author of the leading business reporting textbook "Show me the Money: Writing Business and Economics Stories for Mass Communication" and "Thinking Things Over," a biography of former Wall Street Journal editor Vermont Royster.