Wikipedia today has released an update to its iOS app that adds a host of new features and capabilities. The latest version of the app offers a redesigned interface that places a focus on “exploration” as opposed to the normal quick fact-checking that we’ve come to use Wikipedia for. The update also adds features like 3D Touch support, Handoff support, and more.
One of the biggest changes in the app is the addition of a new “Explore” feed. This feed allows you to view content tailored specifically towards your interests, as opposed to generic recommendations. In addition to content based on what you’ve viewed in the past, there are other sections such as pictures and images of the day, a random article generator, and more. Wikipedia hopes that this Explore feed will lead people to navigate throughout the app continuously, jumping from article to article as means of entertainment and learning as opposed to just research.
The update also adds a host of enhancements for recent iOS features.
First off, your saved content will now show up when you search via Spotlight on iOS. There’s also peek and pop support for viewing articles, and 3D Touch support from the Home screen icon to quickly jump to content. Handoff support also allows you to quickly jump between reading articles on your different devices.
The updated and redesigned Wikipedia app for iOS is available now on the App Store for free. The full press release and change log for the update can be read below:
New Wikipedia app for iOS puts the joy of exploration in your hand
It’s another day on your commute home from work or school. You want something interesting to pass the time so you pull out your phone and open the Wikipedia app.
As you scroll through the featured articles and images, something catches your eye– a beautiful image of Monarch butterflies piled together on heavy branches of an entire tree. It’s the article for the Monarch butterfly migration. You open it. Ah, the butterflies start their migration north this month from Mexico.
You save the article to check out again later, and head back to the Explore feed and find new suggested articles based on the Monarch butterfly migration: butterfly conservation in California, the Queen butterfly, and Diapause… What’s diapause? You open the article to find out. Before you know it, you’ve made your stop to head home.
The newly released Wikipedia app for iOS is designed to put that joy of exploration in your hands. The app delivers content tailored to your interests and surroundings through a new Explore feed. By scrolling down in the Explore feed, you can easily browse a personalized and dynamic set of Wikipedia articles and images including:
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Featured article of the day
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Top read articles
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Picture of the day
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Random articles
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Nearby articles
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Recommended articles based on what you’ve read
Find content that most interests you, easily move from article to article, and save articles for later reading, all while never losing your place. This new feature makes exploring knowledge a journey, even if your ‘final destination’ is just the start.
In addition to the Explore feed, the new Wikipedia app for iOS features major design and usability improvements. Now you can:
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Navigate using gestures, including 3D Touch – Multi-touch gestures, including swipe, tap, and 3D Touch features that help readers navigate more quickly and simply.
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Search from Spotlight, even with Emojis – Search for saved articles using the Spotlight feature on your device. You can even search with your favorite emojis!
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Read Wikipedia in multiple languages – Set up your preferences for multiple preferred browsing languages. Then get one touch access to search across languages, or read an article in another language with a quick tap.
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Access right from home – Use shortcuts to open search, read a random article, and more with a 3D touch on our icon from your device’s home screen.
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Save articles to read later – Save articles for reading later, even when you’re offline.
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Enjoy improved image galleries – Enjoy high resolution image galleries and prominent article images as you navigate through the app.
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Share your discoveries – Easily share articles, images, and facts from Wikipedia on social media or by email. Or use Handoff to continue reading articles across your iOS devices.
The newly redesigned app helps you find the information you need now, while satisfying your curiosity.
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“multiple languages”
YES! Finally multiple languages support! Really hope Apple one day supports bilingual people, and will default to a certain language in every app where you communicate with that person. On a per person/conversation basis.
This is a great update. The stock Wikipedia app was never great, but they made some major improvements here. I beta tested the last couple releases just before the launch and I was really impressed. I like the feed that generates related articles, shows the most popular articles of the last day, etc. It’s not perfect but they’ve done a good job with it.