CNN jumps on the news app bandwagon

Apart from the funny gag John Stewart did on CNN's app, does anyone know how they managed to get the iPhone display on an external large monitor, obviously touch-sensible, and could present it as shown here on the Youtube snippet? A great way to present any iPhone app with a physical audience at fairs, etc !
www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1o5nRAH2j0

It's the principle of the thing. Why should I pay even $2 when they get endless ad revenue from using the application. All the decorative images and splash screens sounds just terrible. No sale here... and I love CNN -- just not on my iPhone I guess.

I think the whole purpose of CNN is to screen as many advertisements as possible in an hour, mostly (it seems) for pharmaceuticals. News is merely the tease to get you to watch and usually there isn't a lot of that anyway on CNN. I don't see why their app would be any different.

I think CNN may be charging to make sure that their servers don't crash when millions of users give it a try. I first thought it was a foolish decision, but we've seen enough services fail to handle product launches.
I haven't tried it yet, but I think I'll break down and cough up the toonie once it comes to Canada.

All of you folks who are outraged about paying for an ap with ads, can I assume you don't have cable or satellite TV?

I don't mind the ads since the dual revenue pays streaming costs, etc. I did see a live news conference on it the first day I downloaded it and the only time I have seen the "live" button over the video there was a live stream available.

Anyone hung up with the cost and the ads is probably not the target market since they probably don't pay for the privilege of watching cable (with ads) or buying a newspaper and reading it (with ads). That as a "turn off" kills me since its been the revenue model for news and entertainment in this country since the stone age.

The ads are unobtrusive and the video clips only have a still ad before them as the video is buffering. The still ad went by so quick I couldn't even read it. In comparison on the CNN site and hulu, etc you have to sit through 30 second commercials. I think this is a pretty generous compromise.

The weather AND traffic are first rate and I love the "follow" feature. I just wish I would get a push notification for breaking news so I can see how that works but I am sure it will be similar to the AP Mobile ones.

I also like the large splash pictures for the headline of each section - it feels more like a newspaper section that way. The breaking news logo could use some dressing up though -- and possibly as an overly to an actual picture of the event.

Good job CNN!

As a rule - no paid apps should have ads - wont buy on principle

This app is actually really handy. I love the videos and everything. They look pretty good for streaming out of the damn air over 3g. The ads aren't bad. And for the people who whine and complain about the $2 price tag and the fact that there are ads... last time I checked magazine had ads and they cost more than $2. Granted I would rather it be free... but what ya gonna do? Well, I know what I did... but... that's neither here nor there...

I'm sticking with CNN's free] mobile web site.

"You can also shoot video if you have an iPhone 3GS, and send it along to CNN."

Neat. Anyone who hasn't seen it should watch the fun 9-minute "future history" video "Epic 2015". http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/epic

Of course they got plenty wrong, but it's also neat to see how much they got right.