News Aggregators: MSN v. Yahoo and Desktop v. Mobile browsers

[Brad]

This may be subjective but there seems to be a difference (besides adapting for screen size) between the browser based versions of Yahoo news and MSN news desktop v. mobile.

Yahoo desktop seems to be much more extensive and fresher than the browser based mobile version.  Yahoo mobile seems to have fewer fresh headlines and then repeats stuff from the day before.  This could be that we are just in a slow news cycle.

The difference between browser based MSN news desktop and MSN news mobile is even more pronounced.  On many MSN moble articles you only get the first sentence and then a button "Continue reading on the App".  Making the MSN mobile news website increasingly worthless.  They are really pushing the MSN app. (the rat-finks).

Not earth shattering but just an observation that you can no longer trust that the mobile-friendly web version is a true representation of the desktop site.  OMHO the desktop site is far better so like on a tablet, if you can force the destkop version of the site you are better off.

I know on mobile all these companies really want you to download the app so they can track you and serve more ads.  The tracking bit is exactly why I prefer to use the mobile browser version on my phone - too much spyware on the apps.

[ergophobe]

>>"Continue reading on the App"

That seems to be more and more common. Reddit always wants you to use the app.

I can't speak to the larger point though. I rarely read news on a phone.

[rcjordan]

I wonder if tablets -particularly the Ipad- get mobile or desktop? (I'd bet Fire tablets get mobile.) Dual device browsing with an Ipad substituted for a laptop to get more screen area is Louise's M-O.  She carries both an Iphone and an Ipad pretty much everywhere.  She's added a Series 8 Apple watch to the array since January.

[Brad]

I don't remember if it was an iPad or an Android tablet I had, but either it or the browser i was using  had a setting to "Force Desktop View".  Been a long time since I picked up a tablet so I don't remember specifics.