South Africa's most popular audio news information line, the SABC’s phone news service NewsBreak 082 152, is now available as an app for Android handheld devices.
The new downloadable application for phones and tablets offers in text and multimedia format all the information strands currently available on NewsBreak, and more:
- News headlines, in-depth reports and analysis – a selection of the latest news, current affairs, sport and business updates from the SABC’s radio, TV and online news services
- Weather report
- Traffic report
- Access to the popular NewsBreak matric results service
A new feature: instant access to daily broadcast programme schedules for all the SABC’s radio and TV services.
Depending on the type of Android devices – such as Samsung, HTC, Sony Ericsson LG and Motorola feature phones, smartphones and tablets – and the data connection, users will be able to get stories with text, pictures and video when available; or text only if they have slow connections or low spec phones.
And for users who still want to listen to the news and other updates, a tap/click on the NewsBreak logo triggers an automatic dial-in to the familiar NewsBreak 082 152 audio news service.
The experimental version of the SABC NewsBreak app is currently available as a free download. Payment is only required for special services on the app, the first of which is to get matric results at a rate similar to the NewsBreak sms matric results service.
A personalisation feature built into the NewsBreak app will offer matriculants yet another way to register now to get their results on the app on the official release date, 5 January. This is a third possible way to get individual matric results, in addition to the NewsBreak 082 152 voice service or the sms service.
The SABC NewsBreak app can be downloaded from the Android market or by sending an sms with the word “Newsbreak” to 33583 (at a cost of R1.50) to receive a link to download the app – or click here to download it now on an Android mobile device.
The SABC NewsBreak app is designed for devices using Android 2.1 and up. Similar apps for Blackberry and Symbian phones and tablets are currently in development and announcements on the launch dates will be made early in 2012.
An SABC News app for iPhones and iPads is already available in Apple’s iOS App Store.
The development of SABC NewsBreak apps for a number of operating systems is a joint venture between SABC Digital News, Marketel and all the traditional NewsBreak content providers, with the technical development undertaken by Marketel/Bhyve Technologies via its unique Rapid Application Systems Generator (see http://www.bhyve.net/ for more info).
For more information contact
-NewsBreak matric results help line on 082 234 4080 or info@marketel.co.za
