SmartNews offers an easy and efficient news reading experience (pictures)

A news app that's popular in Japan is finally available for people in US with a intuitive interface for browsing the headlines.

Jason Parker

Jason Parker has been at CNET for nearly 15 years. He is the senior editor in charge of iOS software and has become an expert reviewer of the software that runs on each new Apple device. He now spends most of his time covering Apple iOS releases and third-party apps.

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Jason Parker

Oct. 8, 2014 12:34 p.m. PT

1 of 6 Photo by Nate Ralph/CNET

SmartNews

A newsreader that's already popular in Japan has finally made it to the US and is a great alternative to other popular news apps.

2 of 6 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Flipping through tabs

You can touch a tab directly to browse the news, or swipe horizontally to flip between each category.

3 of 6 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Adding channels

The last tab is plus sign, with which you can add an individual website to get a channel that's all stories from that site.

4 of 6 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Settings

You also can add channels in the settings or use the Channel Settings screen to reorder your tabs. Connect with your social networks at the bottom to add a Social tab that shows news from organizations and people you follow.

5 of 6 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Rearrange your tabs

Use the Channel Settings screen to reorder your tabs by touching and dragging the handles on the right.

6 of 6 Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET

Set delivery times

Set delivery times at three points in the day so that you know -- even if you lose connection -- you'll have stories to read from the time of the latest update.