Mobile devices are all the rage, for all ages. People now have the accessibility to read news on the run through apps, web browsers and links posted on social media sites.

By Megan Harris-Edwards

News organizations now have mobile websites so news can be easily read on handheld devices.- Megan Harris-Edwards photo

Smartphones and tablets are some of the hottest gadgets today. They’re also becoming among the easiest ways to access news on the run.

News consumers now have the opportunity to read breaking news with the touch of their finger as soon as it happens instead of waiting for it to be printed in a newspaper. Mobile device web browsers, apps and social media sites all play a part in this.

Lynn Robinson of VOCM believes that a lot of people are reading news on handheld devices both in the province and around the world.

“I think it’s becoming more and more viable and more people are getting into it,” said Robinson.

“Here at VOCM, we developed our own app for the iPhone and people can get access to our website anywhere they go.”

With the readership of newspapers on the decline in recent years Robinson is concerned that newspapers will continue to suffer as people read more of their news on mobile devices.

“I definitely think it’s becoming more and more of a giant, and some people didn’t believe that it would happen, and it’s just become a monster,” said Robinson.

Journalists such as Robinson take advantage of social media sites to get articles on the web out to the news-reading audience in the province.

“I think a lot of young people are getting their news on their phones, through Twitter and Facebook also,” said Robinson.

Gerry Carew of The Telegram is responsible for 16 newspaper websites in the province. He believes that most people are still reading their news on computers and laptops but he does see an increase is the use of handheld devices.

“I am seeing growth in the digital space on mobile devices without a doubt,” said Carew.

The Telegram now offers an app for iPhone users and will soon create a mobile website, so its audience can view Telegram articles on mobile devices.

“It’s not a choice, we have to do it,” said Carew.