The Good
- Numerous news sources
- Customizable
- Free
The Bad
- Ad-supported
- Can't add your own sources
- No breaking news alerts
Unlike news apps such as CNN Mobile or AP Mobile, Fluent News (Fluent Mobile Inc., Free) provides more than just one organization’s take on the news. The Fluent News app compiles news and articles from sources like the BBC, Bloomberg, CNN, FOX News, and Al Jazeera so you get a wider range of opinions and analysis.
On the Top News page, you get a variety of headlines from all the different news sources. One thing I love about Fluent News is that you can adjust how much news you get from each source. Love the BBC? In the settings menu, you can ask for more news from this source. Hate CNN or FOX News? You can turn these sources - or any source, for that matter - off altogether. This customization sets the Fluent News app apart from other similar iPhone applications, but it would be nice if you could add your own sources.
There’s also a good amount of news coverage and a ton of articles. The app includes sections on U.S. news, business, sports, technology, opinion, and entertainment. You can share news articles via Facebook, Twitter, and email and you can also save them to read later.
Of course, there are ads in Fluent News, but that’s the price you’ll pay for a free app. The interface isn’t anything special, but the app is easy to browse and navigate. Unlike some news apps, Fluent News doesn’t include push notifications for breaking news alerts.
The Bottom Line
Instead of downloading five different iPhone news apps, Fluent News does the work for you. Since there are so many sources included, you get more news and articles than you would in any other single app. While I would like the ability to add my own sources, there are so many included in the Fluent News app that you won’t be missing much. Overall rating: 4 stars out of 5.
What You'll Need
The Fluent News Reader app requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later, and it's compatible with both the iPhone and iPod touch.