US : The Associated Press debuted its Mobile News Network, a multimedia news portal targeted at wireless users who want access anytime and anywhere to international, national and local news content from the cooperative and its members. The web application has been optimized for use on iPhones and can be accessed directly at apnews.com or via iPhone web application pages at www.iphone.com/webapps.

"We are excited to offer the first comprehensive mobile news web app and to have been selected by Apple as a Staff Pick. With a new generation of mobile devices on the market, like the iPhone, the time is right for AP to introduce a product that brings together our members' local news brands with AP's unrivaled coverage of international and national events," said Jane Seagrave, AP's senior vice president of global product development.

With more than 100 news publishers in the network at launch, covering 16 of the top 20 DMAs, the network provides the widest coverage available of breaking news, sports, entertainment, and business developments for consumers on the go.

"The mobile initiative with AP has the potential to create a single access point for news on smart phone platforms," said Lincoln Millstein, senior vice president and director of digital media for Hearst Newspapers. "That's a big benefit for users, and a great opportunity for providers of local news and advertising." Millstein was a member of an advisory group of new media executives from AP members who assisted in the planning for the cooperative project.

The new service, optimized for the iPhone, offers a full multimedia experience, from photo galleries of sports events to spot video coverage of the presidential campaign. The Mobile News Network provides a single access point for both news and advertising, both national and local. Users can select news from their hometown, business destination or favorite cities, share stories, photos and video with friends and rate the information they receive.

Future versions of the Mobile News Network will include additional content from more newspapers and broadcasters and will be optimized for additional next generation mobile phones.

The Mobile News Network is the first product released by AP's Digital Cooperative, an initiative aimed at finding new digital outlets for the news and information produced by AP members.

Access the newly launched mobile Web site for the Mobile News Network at apnews.com.