iOS app Flipboard has already earned itself something of a name as a great way to aggregate multiple social networks and news media into a single, more easily managed stream. The latest version of the iPhone and iPad app sees the introduction of support for audio as well as the more usual text and image based content. Audio content can be scanned through just as you would the rest of your feeds, but it can also be played in the background while you continue with your browsing.
There is support for SoundCloud, NPR (National Public Radio) and PRI (Public Radio International)which gives you the opportunity to listen to a wide variety of podcasts, radio broadcasts and more. By connecting Flipboard with SoundCloud you can listen to sounds that have been created or shared by your friends. There is a whole new audio category for you to explore and this interesting change in direction for the social networking tool.
Just as with anything else you consume through Flipboard, the sounds you encounter through the app can be shared through the likes of Facebook, Twitter and other services. Just where the audio addition will lead remains to be seen. There is almost undoubtedly be online radio stations that are designed specifically for a Fliboard audience, and it won’t be long before artist start to use the app as a medium for collaborative or crowd-sourced work. The future looks and sounds exciting.
The latest update also improves accessibility options, and it is now possible to use the VoiceOver feature of iOS to listen to articles rather than having to read them. There is also a new fully localized Japanese version of the app as well as support for Readability. This last addition supplements the existing support for Instapaper and provides users with another option for time-shifting their reading.
You can find out more and download a free copy of the app at the Flipboard review page.
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