ABC News is the first broadcast news organization that gets it.

They’ve updated their iPad app to organize and present content differently from their website. More importantly they used the power of analyzing data in their previous (older) iPad app on how people were using the app to make a better product. 

Joanna Stern writes the rest that I rather just quote. In a nutshell they’ve put a lot of research and thought into this app with the key feature being three different editions throughout any given day (morning, afternoon, and evening).

With that tablet activity in mind, the ABC News app now has three editions — the Morning, Midday, and Primetime Editions. The Morning Edition, which is presented from 6 a.m. to noon, is centered on the top headline and a “5 Things To Know This Morning” article by “Good Morning America’s” Josh Elliott. The Midday Edition, offered from noon to 8 p.m., has a tweaked layout and presents headlines, video clips, and feature stories. The Primetime or Evening Edition offers an entirely different experience, with video front and center. “The video carousel provides more of a lean-back video experience. We know that during this time people are getting comfortable on their couches and have the iPad in their laps,” Ruffolo said. In addition to the video section, there are featured stories. Each edition is updated instantaneously with news from ABCNews.com and contains a special section for trending stories, which is based on the popularity of stories and videos on Facebook and Twitter. There’s also a new Lifestyle & Fun section that curates lifestyle and entertainment news. The app also allows for viewing ABC News’ live video feed. The spinning globe that was a part of the original ABC News app is no longer included. In addition to providing news, the app also provides up-to-the minute weather reports. A weather widget on the top of the screen displays the forecast and current temperature; tap it and you can see the weekly forecast and see the weather in other locations. All eight ABC-owned TV stations will offer customized editions with added regional and local news, weather, and traffic reports. The KABC-TV Los Angeles iPad app will launch today. WABC-TV in New York, WLS-TV in Chicago, WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, KGO-TV in San Francisco, KTRK-TV in Houston, WTVD-TV in Raleigh-Durham and KFSN-TV in Fresno are scheduled to release their own apps in the next few weeks. Those will be available as separate apps in the App Store.

• Source abcnews.go.com

• 06/14/12