CNN: Breaking US & World News

Category

Description of App

CNN connects you to the world, wherever you are. Stay informed with the latest headlines and original stories from around the globe. Follow up-to-the-minute reporting with breaking news alerts and live video. Lead the conversation by sharing today’s news and dig deeper into the stories that matter most to you. - Get CNN news at a glance on your Apple Watch across 12 personalized categories - Get breaking news alerts and follow top stories as they develop - Watch live CNN TV events and shows (as available; check with your cable or satellite provider) - Get in-depth coverage of international, politics, opinion, tech and entertainment stories. - Share your stories, photos and videos with CNN by using the iReport section of the app Have questions or feedback on the CNN App? Email us at iPhone@cnn.com with your suggestions on how we can create the best possible experience for you.

Version

4.0.31

Free or Paid

Free

Apple Watch Support

Yes

Device(s) App Was Tested On

iPhone

iOS Version

9.1

Accessibility Comments

Not very accessible and easy to use. With some missing elements and a confusing interface it wasn't a very good VoiceOver option for reading news.

VoiceOver Performance

VoiceOver reads most page elements.

Button Labeling

Most buttons are clearly labeled.

Usability

There are some accessibility issues with this app, but it can still be used if you are willing to tolerate these issues and learn how to work around them.

Developer's Twitter Username

@CNN

Recommendations

2 people have recommended this app

Most recently recommended by KE7ZUM 9 years 4 months ago

Options

Comments

By Scott Davert on Friday, October 21, 2011 - 11:17

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team
With the update of the app that is current as of this writing, the dimmed button issue still exists. Other than that, it's very easy to use both with Voiceover, and with braille support.
I agree. The dimmed button thing was confusing at first andI'm still learning how the darned thing works. One thing I notice though if I click on the headline shown in the notifications area the story is never ever found. It takes me to a different story that I did not want to view. Now this might be operator error but I would recommend this app. for all that want to view CNN stuff.

By Kevin W. on Monday, May 21, 2012 - 11:17

After the latest update to the app, the top stories section does not appear to be accessible at all. In order to open a story, one must perform the passthrough gesture, and then double tap on the item. A definite fail for CNN.

By Scott Davert on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 - 11:17

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team
Now, you cannot even get the articles by swiping around the screen, you essentially have to estimate how far apart the stories are on the screen to hear the title of each. Braille display usage with this app is an absolute nightmare. Even if I hit a story on the screen and double tap on it, which makes the story launch about 75% of the time, when reading with braille it keeps refreshing the same content over and over again. The other sections of the app, which I don't care to access, are usable though.

By Scott Davert on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 - 11:17

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team
What's even worse about this is that you cannot go back to the accessible version. It is not supported. I emailed them prior to this becoming a campaign of the month, and they never bothered replying. I've also learned from a colleague that the National Association of the Deaf is considering a lawsuit because CNN refuses to caption their videos.

By Matthew on Sunday, October 21, 2012 - 11:17

This makes it impossible to watch the live broadcasts since you are unable to choose your provider with VoiceOver.

By AnonyMouse on Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 11:17

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team
Sadly, the latest version 1.8.2 just made this so bad that I can't use it all. There are some serious problems running this on my iPhone 5. There are serious lagging issues when I try to navigate around on the screen. The flicking to the right and left appears to not work at all thus having to touch the screen to find the articles. Half of the time I can't get it keep from crashing on me. Trying to figure out how to open the article is quite a task as well. Would like to hear if anyone else is experiencing this problem?

By John Gassman on Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 11:17

I agree with you. I keep holding on this inaccessible app because I keep hoping that one day while I'm still alive and kicking, CNN will join so many other developers and make this app accessible. They have a good news product, its a shame they don't seem to care about app accessibility.

By AnonyMouse on Sunday, July 21, 2013 - 11:17

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

Remarkably they have done a total 360 on this app. So far I have seen this app to be now mostly accessible.

You will find the Drop Down Menu button at the top Left corner of the screen. Double tap on this. This drops down a new Menu. From here you can find the Settings, Section, Watch CNN,, and etc. Just double tap on that Drop Down Menu again. This will roll up the Menu and leave you back to the Main Menu.

I am very impressed! It did take them a long while to get this fixed but being late is better than never. ;)

Would be curious in what others have found and what they think of the new layout and if you had any accessibility problems with it?

What's New in Version 1.8.4

• View your extended 10-day local weather forecast
• Browse through story pages by swiping to the left or right
• Share videos from your app while you watch
• New “Shows” section lets you watch video clips from CNN shows including New Day, Anderson Cooper 360° and Piers Morgan Live.
• The CNN logo now disappears as you scroll down a story page and will no longer cover headlines and photos
• Minor bug and crash fixes to increase performance of your app

 

By KE7ZUM on Sunday, July 21, 2013 - 11:17

In reply to by AnonyMouse

Looks good except I think it's auto scroling as the thign keeps kicking me back to the bottom of the thign where the drop down menu image is. I mis the old layout where the tabs were. What ever happened to the good ole days.
Must agree that I miss the tabs as well but those were the days. ;) Remember the Drop Down Menu is a sliding menu that comes down from the top. So you will find that the Drop Down Menu is about 75% down the screen. Down in this area you will find that Drop Down Menu which you double tap to have the Menu slide back up. There are some tricky areas to get back to where you want to go but overall I find it to be mostly accessible.

By KE7ZUM on Sunday, July 21, 2013 - 11:17

In reply to by AnonyMouse

True, but the thing refreshes constently makign it hard to even get past the menu image thing. It works but to me needs a lot of work to be even considered accessible. I give it an 85 percent.

By KE7ZUM on Monday, April 21, 2014 - 11:17

I just use it for notifications I don't ever use it to read the news. Tha'ts what the podcasts I have are for. Hehh.

good luck.

By Lisa on Monday, April 21, 2014 - 11:17

Hello Marrie, Would you mind sharing the podcasts you have for listening to the news? I would appreciate it. Thank you.

By KE7ZUM on Monday, April 21, 2014 - 11:17

I'll contact you off list to do that. I don't want to get in trouble, again. lol! Give me some time to put it together though as I'm quite busy at the moment.

Good luck and hope the cnn app does improve. it is a nice little app and a good way in case I don't see the item via the their twitter apps.

By Ken Downey on Monday, April 21, 2014 - 11:17

Ne too please?

By Misty Dawn on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - 11:17

I know there have been a lot of changes to the app since the last comment on here, so, I was wondering how accessible the latest CNN App update is.

By Ken Downey on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - 11:17

I've used it quite recently, and it's a lot better than it was, though there are definitely still some problems, mainly with labeling. Give it a shot.