Al Jazeera English revamps iPad app

Al Jazeera English has revamped its iPad app, enhancing the social functionality of its access to the channel’s TV feed. 

According to Al Jazeera, the Live Dashboard update includes a social second screen feature alongside the in-app live TV output.

Users will be able to view the channel’s official Twitter feeds, the user’s own personal Twitter feeds, and hashtags while watching news and programmes. The app allows users to share content with friends, family, and followers through Twitter, Facebook and email.

The app’s integration with Al Jazeera’s news systems means that some stories will appear there before they do on air, according to the broadcaster. Video on the app will be positioned in a ‘fluid grid’ – meaning that video will be in different sizes and shift in position throughout the day according to their prominence in the news agenda.

“We want to encourage ever more interaction with our content, and this development enables that interactivity to take place. This feature will especially come into its own during major breaking events,” said Moeed Ahmad, Head of New Media at Al Jazeera.“We held workshops with viewers before building the apps. Twitter traffic went up exponentially during major events such as the Arab Spring and the Japanese earthquake where events were changing by the minute. Viewers were glued to TV coverage and social media. This app makes checking both so much easier.”