AP targets iPhone users with news portal

The Associated Press is targeting iPhone users with a new multimedia portal for wireless devices.
The Mobile News Network, which is optimized for Apple Inc.’s device, but is accessible with other phones, culls content from more than 100 newspapers including The Miami Herald, the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Jose Mercury News and the Houston Chronicle. The site is powered by Verve Wireless and offers U.S. and world news as well as sports and entertainment; users may enter a ZIP code to add local headlines.
The AP has added a community component, encouraging users to share stories, photos and videos through the portal, and plans to add content from more newspapers and broadcasters. The news agency had announced the project three weeks ago in Washington, D.C.
“The mobile initiative with AP has the potential to create a single access point for news on smartphone platforms,” said Lincoln Millstein, SVP and director of digital media for Hearst Newspapers. “That’s a big benefit for users, and a great opportunity for providers of local news and advertising.”