iPhone and Android applications allow users to read news

Leading Indian wire agency Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) has launched its free iPhone and Android applications to help readers across the globe track the latest news, updates, features and analyses on a real-time basis.

“The iPhone and Android applications allow users to read news on all the major categories and topics, such as national, politics, diplomacy, business, sports, entertainment, technology and international,” the New Delhi-headquartered group said in a statement.

“Users can choose to follow news from their own States, track news on specific topics or keyword, as also customise the applications to present news from the sections of their choice.”

The applications have been developed using the open news platform from Nuvus Technologies (www.nuvus.com), which allow news providers a faster way to bring their content to the mobile platform.

Both the iPhone and Android applications are available for download for free. The iPhone application is available on the iTunes store athttp://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/ians-news/id407894510?mt=8.

Just log on, download and you’re on.

Better known by its acronym, IANS is an independent news wire service, with a wide network of correspondents to comprehensively cover India and South Asia, as also developments of interest to the region from across the globe.

IANS also covers the Indian diaspora story like no other Indian media.

The group also offers content outsourcing, entertainment-based photos, and ready-to-print content on contractual and turnkey basis for clients that spans government to corporate houses.

It has also recently started a new service for Bollywood text news, pictures and videos.

The group’s 24x7 news operation in English and Hindi has a premium subscriber base that includes most major newspapers, magazines, TV stations and websites not just in India but also the Gulf region, Britain, the U.S. and Australia.

The IANS photo service -- www.iansphoto.com -- releases 300 exclusive images per week, mainly from the entertainment world. These cover Bollywood, regional film industries, TV, fashion shows and celebrity events.

Two new iPhone game applications

Microsoft has released two new iPhone game apps today and an Android music streaming application.

The “decision engine” has revealed the holiday themed applications in time for Christmas. The first application, named Snowboard Hero, is available for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad owners. The game allows you to snowboard on four steep runs. The second application, named Powerboat Challenge, is available for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad owners. The game is a simple powerboat challenge that allows players to complete courses and upgrade their boats to bigger engines.

Microsoft has also developed an Android application that streams 100 different holiday tunes. The application is available until January 2, 2011. Although iOS and Android are covered, the software giant seems to have completely forgotten about Windows Phone 7. The applications are available on rival platforms but not Microsoft’s own. Some commenters on Microsoft’s Bing blog pointed out the admission. “Where is the WP7 stuff??? Kind of ironic that I need to own an Apple product to use a Microsoft one” wrote one, “Where’s the WP7 love…kinda feelin’ left out,” wrote another.