Flipboard updates iOS app, revamps Cover Stories to surface cool content

Flipboard, the wildly successful magazine-format news aggregator, has updated its iPhone and iPad application with a pair of tweaks while announcing a redesign of Cover Stories aimed at making your story highlights resemble newspaper front pages. In addition to some bug fixes and performance improvements, Flipboard 2.2.3 now makes it possible to add bookmarks to your Safari Reading List.

Another minor change: you can now copy an article’s URL in your device’s browser, then open Flipboard for the option to add it to your magazines. You’ll be more interested in the redesign of Cover Stories which Flipboard hopes will surface more relevant content from your subscriptions…

The new-look Cover Stories taps smart algorithms which surface content based on how frequently you visit the section. Now key highlights from your subscriptions are presented in a condensed newspaper-like format.

The stories are organized by source, social network and topic, with story groups neatly indicated at the top of each page. If you want to dive deep into the story, just tap the More link at the bottom of the page.

See some flips by a friend you don’t like? Worry not, you can easily mute anyone.

The algorithms adapt to your reading habits so your Cover Stories get more relevant the more you use the section.

Here’s a quick video walkthrough.

Flipboard says the new design is available on iOS/Android smartphones/tablets, with BlackBerry and Windows Phone versions being under consideration. This is a staggered roll-out so not everyone will get the new Cover Stories right away.

Flipboard 2.2.3 can be downloaded free in the App Store.

Google revamps mobile News site with new design, improved navigation and more

Google today announced that it’s making a number of new changes to its mobile Google News site. Well, the changes have already been made, and News readers on Android and iOS devices should start seeing them over the next few days.

Among the changes are an improved overall look-and-feel, making it easier to read and track separate stories, and the ability to customize the web application by changing the theme from light to dark, adjusting the font size, and more…

Here are the full release notes from Google’s blog (via 9to5Mac):

“Here are just some of the highlights:

• Improved overall look-and-feel making it easier to read and track separate stories.
• Ability to customize the webapp to suit your taste by changing the theme from light to dark, the font size and opting for a larger “story card” with more information per story at your fingertips (from the Settings menu, at top right).
• Simplified navigation to any section within News; just click on the Google News icon (top left) to see a list of available sections (including any custom sections you created).
• Easier integration with Google Feedback located in the menu at the top right.

Additionally we have ensured that some favorite desktop features have been included such as:

• A weather gadget in the Local section.
• The popular “Editors Picks” option.
• Social posts from Google + related to the story are included in the article cluster.

All of this can be accessed by visiting news.google.com from the Chrome/Safari browser on your iOS or Android device. Google says that it’s launching in the United States first and plans to bring the same experience to all international editions soon.