Apple News vs Microsoft News

2021. Microsoft launches a personalized news service, Microsoft Start



Microsoft has unveiled its personalized news reading platform called Microsoft Start. This innovative service is accessible through a dedicated website and mobile app, and it seamlessly integrates with various Microsoft products, including Windows 10 and 11, as well as the Microsoft Edge web browser. Microsoft Start aggregates content from various news publishers, but with a unique twist—it tailors the content to match individual user interests. This customization feature positions Microsoft to better compete with rival news reading experiences provided by companies like Apple or Google, as well as popular third-party apps such as Flipboard or SmartNews.


2020. Microsoft starts testing a new news reading experience in Windows 10



Microsoft has introduced its latest Windows 10 preview build, which includes an enhanced news consumption experience. One of the key features is the Microsoft News Bar, which collects news content from the extensive network of 4,500 publishers in the Microsoft News network. This news bar appears as a semi-persistent display on any side of your screen. While Windows 10 has previously offered the Microsoft News app for a comprehensive news reading experience (though often overlooked), the News Bar offers a news ticker that can be constantly visible or conveniently hidden as per your preference. To ensure you stay informed, you can set the News Bar to reappear after two or eight hours, or choose to hide it indefinitely if you wish to take a break from the news.


2019. Apple shuts down Texture following launch of Apple News+



As anticipated, Texture, the subscription-based magazine service, has officially ceased operations following the introduction of Apple News+. Apple acquired Texture in the past with the intention of using it as the foundation for ‌Apple News‌+. It was later announced that Texture would no longer be functional after May 28. As expected, the app has now ceased to operate and redirects users to ‌Apple News‌+. However, it is important to note that while Apple's notice in the Texture app assures users that they can continue reading their favorite magazines on ‌Apple News‌+, the service is limited to the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac. Texture previously supported various platforms, including iOS, macOS, Android, and Windows.


2018. Microsoft launched AI-based news reading app Hummingbird



Microsoft has recently introduced a new AI news app for Android called Hummingbird. This app allows users to create an account using their Hotmail or LinkedIn email address. By logging in, users can benefit from personalized news items that are curated with articles tailored to their interests, thanks to Microsoft's intelligent algorithms. Similar to other AI-powered services, Hummingbird improves its understanding of your preferences the more you engage with it. When you click on an article, it will open in its original site, but you will still have access to the Hummingbird title bar when in reading mode, allowing you to easily return to the app's main page. The app also offers options to mute specific genres of news sources, ensuring that your feed remains focused on your interests, such as technology reviews or books. Additionally, you have the option to share content on social media platforms if there's something you're particularly enthusiastic about.


2018. Microsoft News launches on Android and iOS as rebranded MSN app



Microsoft is introducing rebranded versions of its Microsoft News apps for both iOS and Android, while also utilizing its news engine to deliver news content across various Microsoft products. Although the MSN name will no longer be used on Android and iOS, the MSN.com website, a long-standing news portal launched by the software giant in 1995, will retain its branding. Microsoft combines curated news from over 1,000 "premium publishers" and 3,000 brands with the assistance of human editors and artificial intelligence. Through AI technology, Microsoft's system analyzes more than 100,000 pieces of content daily, assessing factors such as topic, popularity, and freshness. The revamped Microsoft News app features a dark mode, improved integration with iOS and Android widgets, seamless reading experience, and real-time breaking news alerts.