This article was published on July 28, 2016

Wikipedia is pivoting into news with its redesigned Android app


Wikipedia is pivoting into news with its redesigned Android app

Wikipedia is getting a fresh new look on Android and set of features, following up on an update to the iOS app a few months ago.

The main screen of the app now shows you an ‘explore’ feed which will recommend photos, articles and other content based on your previous reads and current events.  The feed is divided into Google Now like cards depending on the type of suggestion. Some highlights

  • “In the news” occupies the top of of your feed. As you’d expect, it includes new or updated articles based on current news
  • ‘Trending articles’ includes the five most popular articles of the day
  • ‘Featured article’ is a piece handpicked by Wikipedia editors on a daily basis.
  • ‘Because you read’ is based on your previous interests
  • ‘Continue reading’ to follow up on unfinished articles
  • And ‘Randomizer’ for whatever the random number generator feels like throwing at you
  • Picture of the day, for… a photo of the day

Screenshot_20160728-115415

Tap on an article, and you’ll see a preview before jumping into the full-on Wikipedia page. And once you scroll past that set of cards, you’ll see the same sequence repeated for suggestions from the previous day. Oh, and search now supports voice too.

It’s a neat way to make actually exploring Wikipedia more fun and relevant to every day life, rather than just stumbling upon articles you’re curious about on your own. The new app is rolling out to the Google Play Store now.

 

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