Online news aggregator PimpMyNews has launched what it describes as a ‘talking social news application’ for iPhone and iPod Touch. It converts text-based news stories from a host of news sites and blogs into synthesized speech, which it reads out to you through your iPhone’s speaker. It claims to offer 1,000 of the web’s ‘top’ sites, and is based on the existing PimpMyNews website, which offers a similar service for web users.
It works fairly well - I’ve just been testing it out. The iPhone version is currently lacking the personalisation features of the main site, where you can set up a custom feed of stories according to your interests. On iPhone, you’re restricted to hearing the top stories from news sites and blogs. The computerised speech sounds about as natural as you could hope, and stories stream through QuickTime quickly and without jitters.
There are some flaws in the idea - such as when the linky bits on the end of blog posts are read out as if they’re part of the story. And I’d still rather scan text than have news read out to me. But if they can develop the site with the personalisation aspects (and include Pocket Picks as a feed, obviously!), PimpMyNews could be a hit with iPhone users.
Stuart - Thanks for reviewing the PimpMyNews Talking news iPhone web app! Great feedback and suggestions - here are our answers:
1) About adding the “personalisation features” from the main site - This will be available next week, or sooner (you’ll be able to login and see your personalized PimpMyNews playist right on your iPhone or iPod Touch)
2)Re “reading of ‘Linky Bits”- If there are specific feeds where this is problematic, we may be able to improve them - Just email the blog names to suggestions@PimpMyNews.com and we’ll look into it.
3)Re: Adding Pocket Picks to PimpMynews - Your wish is our command;) Pocket Picks is now under the category:”Technology>Apple” - and is now showing up in “Top Blogs” on both the iPhone and main site
To enjoy the “full PimpMyNews Experience”, sign up on the main site at http://www.PimpMyNews.com and personalize your account. To access the iPhone web app, go to: http://www.PimpMyNews.com/m
We love feedback, so please keep it coming to Suggestions@PimpMyNews.com
Thanks again,
John
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John Atkinson
Co-Founder
www.PimpMyNews.com
Hello Stuart,
The PimpMyNews “Personalisation Features” everyone has been asking for are now LIVE for iPhone and iPod Touch users!
With this new feature, you can listen to (and read) breaking stories from your Favorites Playlist your iPhone.
>To set up your PimpMyNews Playlist, sign up on the main site on your Mac or PC at http://www.PimpMyNews.com
>Then, from your iPhone, go to: http://www.PimpMyNews.com/m and log in.
Feedback is always welcome at Suggestions@PimpMyNews.com
Thanks!
John
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John Atkinson
Co-Founder
http://www.PimpMyNews.com
Pimp my News is great! I love the personalization aspect of setting up my podcast and having Pimp my News do all the legwork of scouring the web for relevant news. The text-to-audio conversion is the best I have heard.
really cool site.. thanks for the info about pimpmynews. however, i think the name should be changed to pimp my drive to work! i just downloaded the iphone app and its real tight. i totaly recommend it!