When I first reviewed iPad app The Daily, shortly after its February release, I questioned if the app was worth downloading. At the time, it was simply too early to see what The Daily truly had in store for iPad users, but after several weeks of growing pains The Daily just isn’t measuring up to expectations.
With its most recent update The Daily app claims to have improved stability and responsiveness. I saw neither of these improvements, and the app has neglected to integrate other upgrades, such as support for multi-tasking — The Daily doesn’t even save your place if you exit the app to check email. Ridiculous. I gave these issues a pass at its first release, but more than a month later, the lack of consideration for user experience is insulting.
Although I do still appreciate the multimedia aspects The Daily presents, from a journalistic standpoint, its content doesn’t cut it. The Daily claims to offer real-time updates, but when I’m seeing non-updated March Madness brackets hours after games conclude I find that hard to believe. Without updates, The Daily’s news content should be in-depth analysis of issues rather than the brief news stories it’s currently offering. Many stories rely on anonymous sourcing, which makes me question credibility. The best (a word I use loosely) content in The Daily is its celebrity, entertainment and lifestyle coverage, but the world hardly needs another gossip rag.
At less than 15 cents a day, The Daily is cheap, but that doesn’t make it a bargain.
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