Asbarez Launches iPhone App

BY ARA KHACHATOURIAN
IT’S HERE! The much anticipated Asbarez|mobile for the iPhone is here and users can download it from the Apple App Store NOW!
For more than a century, the Asbarez Armenian newspaper has been the on the forefront of developments in the Armenian world, bringing comprehensive and up-to-the-minute news, reporting and commentary to Armenian communities around the world. Today, asbarez.com is the leading global Armenian news source. Since the relaunch of our Web platform, we have been able to reach a wider audience both nationally and internationally.
So with the launch of the Asbarez|mobile, we are widening that reach to include the significant population who uses the iPhone as its main tool for information and interaction.
With Asbarez|mobile our readers can stay up-to-date with all things Armenian, read latest news from Armenia and the Diaspora, as well as commentary and stories from our Arts & Culture sections free of charge. Asbarez|mobile also provides immediate access to Horizon Armenian TV news segments as well as commentary from our world-class contributors who share their views and insights about important developments in the Armenian world and beyond.
Asbarez|mobile also gives its readers complete access to the Asbarez Facebook page and twitter profile through a built in native iPhone interface. Through the app, you can engage with Asbarez readers on our Facebook wall, read status updates from Asbarez, like posts and comment on stories. With native Twitter integration, users can also read, retweet, reply, and write posts directly from the app, as well as follow our Twitter syndication lists.
The journey to finally realize this application began when the Armenian Youth Federation learned of Asbarez’s intentions to move to the mobile application world. They immediately organized a fundraiser last fall and provided the financial resources to Asbarez to be able to hire a developer. A huge THANK YOU to the AYF Central Executive and its initiative to facilitate this process.
We would not have been able to achieve this without our talented developer, George Paloulian, who went above and beyond to develop a seamless application that accommodated our needs and incorporated the many features that make this app truly user friendly.
And of course, last but not least, our thanks go out to Asbarez English Section’s former assistant editor, Allen Yekikian who shepherded this process, with his unique knowledge of the technology. Although he moved on to greener pastures in February, he, nevertheless, tirelessly worked to ensure that we have the best to offer.
But, this is just the beginning. Asbarez is already working to expand its mobile application and soon will launch another version that can be used by all mobile devices. Soon thereafter, we will begin efforts to have an app for the Android Operating system and the iPad.