SoJ Web Report | Aug. 2, 2011
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| Illustration by Larry Buchanan |
| Check out an interactive smartphone to learn more about suggested apps for journalists. |
Whether iPhone, Blackberry or Android platform, these multipurpose must-haves are changing how journos operate in the field. While not as full-featured as audio recorders and cameras, nor as utilitarian as notebooks and pens, smartphone apps can handle all of these tasks in a pinch and pretty well. And when you’re all done, a few taps will send all of your information to your editors to be ready for publication within minutes.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on specialized apps. Assistant professor Hans Ibold says those that come loaded on smartphones often are quite useful for journalists to do their jobs efficiently and effectively. Applications for taking photos or short videos, “notepads,” social networking and some document programs often come with the phones.
“What stands out to me are the simple apps that support old school, boots-on the-ground reporting,” said Ibold, who teaches social networking and multimedia classes, including which takes students to the South by Southwest conference in Texas during spring break. “That includes a whole range of apps – take your pick – that help make observations, conduct interviews, collect and store information, and share and distribute.”
The School of Journalism’s website journalists – Ryan Dorgan, Zina Kumok and Thomas Miller – set out to learn which apps are most popular with journalists and why. They consulted with IU student journalists as well as alumni and professionals to round up a list of must-have apps. Kumok also contributed her own story of using a smartphone to report during her internship last summer.
Here’s what they learned.
Reporting in the field – or on the golf course
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| Courtesy |
| Tyson Wheatley, CNN editor likes Evernote. |
Journalism student Danielle Fleischman often uses Evernote, a cross-platform app that can sync information between phone and computer, for on-the-go note taking. It also has an audio recording ability.
“Evernote is essential for my note taking. It's easy to use and makes my notes accessible from anywhere,” said Fleischman, who works as a Web editor and opinion columnist for the Indiana Daily Student.
Tyson Wheatley, BAJ’01, who is senior editor at CNN Digital for Asia/Pacific, uses Evernote for his phone and iPad. “This is pretty much my go-to daily note taking tool,” he said via email.
(Memphis) Commercial Appeal columnist Ron Higgins uses his iPhone as a recorder, even when he's golfing.
"Just last week, while playing a round of golf, I broke a news story about a college football opening date being moved," Higgins said. "That happened on the front nine. On the back nine, I interviewed another football coach by phone for another story."
Associated Press sports writer Teresa Walker also uses her phone to record as well as talk to sources, especially when she's in between games.
"I use the phone itself to interview people, using a headset allowing me to talk and record at the same time, especially useful when people call me back when I am not near a laptop or on the road," she said.
Apps such as Speakeasy, Cinch and Voice Memo enable phones to function as audio recorders.
Student Courtney Deckard downloaded Speakeasy when, on her way to an interview, she realized she didn’t have a recorder with her.
“I just downloaded the free app SpeakEasy to my iPhone in case my subject said something that would work in the story,” Deckard said. “I knew that since the iPhone is super compatible with computers, it would be easy to get the audio off of the phone. So in situations like this it is extremely helpful.”
Shooting photos and video
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| Courtesy |
| Gary Bogdon recommends 8mm and Hipstamatic. |
PS Express, a mobile version of Photoshop, is a top pick for many who want to send ready-to-post or print work to editors. Shawn Chen, BAJ’99, multimedia editor at Associate Press, likes PS Express and iMovie for on-the-spot editing.
Photojournalist Gary Bodgon, BA’86, who just wrapped a piece for Sports Illustrated featuring former NFL coach Tony Dungy and player Michael Vick, recommended 8mm and Hipstamatic as photo options.
For sharing photos, Wheatley suggested Instagram, useful mostly as social media but the app has a good interface and built-in tools, he said.
But some multimedia files may be large. For those, journalists like DropBox, a cloud storage app that also allows file sharing.
Productivity – and fun
Even reporters or editors who aren’t covering on-the-spot news may find phone apps useful for keeping up with news about their beats, networking with readers, and sharing information with one another and with editors.
Former IDS managing editor and current police beat reporter MaryJane Slaby said her Motorola Endeavor lets her stay connected to the news at all times.
“Honestly, the best part is my email,” Slaby said. “Any news alerts from The New York Times or the Google ones I have set up come instantly to my phone. So do emails from sources such as press releases, the police log or emails about interviews. Being able to respond right away is so useful.”
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| Courtesy |
| Shawn Chen of AP likes Pulse to track news. |
Current IDS editor-in-chief Jake Wright said he uses his phone for looking up information when he’s out reporting. In one instance, Wright sent through a story on his phone when his editors wanted it as soon as possible.
“It wasn't the easiest thing to do, but it really helped out because my editors wanted the information and, besides talking to them on the phone and then writing, that was the only other way,” he said.
Many news organizations offer free or inexpensive apps for smartphones and tablets. AP’s Walker said she uses uses Facebook, ESPN and UberSocial apps to keep track of teams and other reporters. Ibold likes CNN, Pro Publica, BBC News, UK Radio and TED Mobile.
Social media isn’t just for fun. Journalists are using Twitter, Facebook and blog apps such as Tumblr to follow trends related to beats or news about media. Tyson Wheatley suggested Hootsuite as a way to curate and search Twitter trends.
“Twitter is vital, a major source of news, particularly during breaking news events,” he said. “It’s also the source of wild rumors and misinformation, so needs to be vetted, confirmed, before reporting.”
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| Shawn Chen's phone. |
Bogdon, a freelancer, relies on travel apps, such as those from Delta and Southwest, to make plans while on the run.
What’s next? Ibold predicts location-based sharing and searching tools, such as Glympse and Gowalla, are in their “toddler phase,” but these could be powerful journalism tools “to connect with, inform and learn from communities.”
Journalists who already are relying on their phones as essential tools will be ready. AP sports writer Teresa Walker wants to make sure she never misses as story, and her phone is her insurance.
"I couldn't work without my smartphone," she said.
More:
- Check out an interactive chart to learn more about these recommended apps for journalists.
- Read about one reporter's experience using a smartphone in the field.
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Questions? Comments? Email the Web editor.
