The Times: UK & World News 12+

Odd one

Used on first iPhone 6+. I bought this and my subscription to The Times for the crossword. The crossword works well, with perhaps too many ‘checking’ options. It will store pretty much anything you have started to complete and allow you to return - similar to still finding printed versions in a pocket you haven’t used for some time. As my juvenile cataract worsens, and the rest of me becomes less juvenile, I would like more reliable scrolling of the grid and more ability to zoom/enlarge print, but I’m also pursuing the options for improving my eyesight... The paper part is clear, structured like the website, similar in flow to the paper. Searching for pieces is not satisfying, as previously noted, but then it serves to replicate the transience of the original. I’d rather it did not return to reload the edition from the front so frequently, and could update without disturbing where I left it, but apps seem designed to suit the software rather than the user.

Not a patch on the old app

EDIT: Whilst my initial impression is still sound, I HAVE found myself drawn more and more to the app, above Apple News+ so it gains a couple of stars. The app generally works well and it’s nice to flick through current news in a decent order. The only bug I’ve found is that is only downloads text for offline viewing - highly annoying. I download today’s version to read on the train, but when I do the article pictures only show a grey holding image. This could be a game changer for some people.

-

Re-subscribed to see if I could get a version that was better than that provided through Apple News+ and the answer is... no. I remember loving the old version’s layout - no constant scrolling, but apart from the puzzles this gives me nothing I can’t get elsewhere. So for £25 a month I get the same experience, and the same article layout, that I do for £9.99. With adverts. I subscribe to other digital edition newspapers, and expected the same level of premium experience. If you pay to unlock a service, that service is paid for by my subscription - not revenue from my subscription AND revenue from animated adverts, personalised through cookies. At present, I can’t see myself renewing as I can’t see the value in paying to access an app for £25, when I can read the same articles, formatted in exactly the same way, with the same amount of scrolling and adverts, that I can get for £9.99. Access to Times+ and puzzles is just not enough.

Absolute rubbish

Instead of side swiping through the pages with the odd full page add which could be swiped through quickly the experience is now awful, side swiping then scrolling down through the article which is littered with advertisements which are always in view when reading the article just the same as free news feeds. We always enjoyed doing the sudoku’s on the old app, but now the way of entering the numbers have been completely reversed making it physically difficult, why ? We have tried to use this new app but have now deleted it and reverted back to the old app. When the old app stops working we will be cancelling our subscription. Is this a case of change for change sake to justify jobs ? and as a subscriber I don’t expect to be bombarded with advertising. Not very impressed
Update after developers response:
I have re-download the new app, looked at the e-Paper reading option again not a pleasant reading experience lots of finger pinching to zoom in and out to read articles. Same as free newspapers I get on my Readly app (the independent, the guardian, observer etc)
The issue I have with doing the sudoku’s isn’t related to my iPad software version.
From the response it looks like my issues aren’t going to be addressed and the old classic app will be going, as my subscription will be.

Developer Response ,

Hello Harry. I am sorry to hear you've not enjoyed your reading experience via the new Times app. If you would prefer a swiping motion to navigate around the content, you can check out the ePaper by tapping 'More' in the lower-right corner of the app which will provide an ePaper option in the menu on the next screen. We would like to have a look into the issues you're experiencing with the puzzle section, please contact us on apphelp@thetimes.co.uk and provide your device make/model, iOS version and current app version. Many Thanks.