Flipboard brings its magic to iPhone

Flipboard, the iPad application which turns social media into a glossy publication, is now available for the iPhone. Download Flipboard for iPhone, sign in or sign up, link your social media accounts and start seeing how it “declutters your social life.”

For iPhone users, the large-screen format of Flipboard has been condensed into a bite-sized experience thanks to the addition of a new feature called “Cover Stories”. With Cover Stories, Flipboard users can quickly catch up with their friends on Twitter and Facebook. It’s a smart, friendly app and leagues better than trawling through the ponderous Facebook/Twitter apps for iPhone.

Flipboard describes Cover Stories as “the feed to check when you’re in line at the coffee shop, commuting on the train or just hanging out at home.” It’s certainly a friendlier method of social snooping.

A worry we had is that Flipboard wouldn’t translate well to the smaller iPhone screen. Cast all doubts aside, oh ye of little faith. Instead of the multi-panel flipping of its bigger brother, Flipboard junior has a single vertical flip which nonchalantly pulls information from one pane to the other.

How much value do the Cover Stories add? Flipboard’s algorithms scan through the social networks and hand-pick stories which it deems interesting. Over time, and as your tastes evolve, Cover Stories promises that it will begin to understand your tastes and display news stories which interest you. It’s too early yet to tell if this works. But adding in news is simplicity itself so in theory, you can customise your own burgeoning social feed to suit your needs.

Flick, tap and slide to view stories of interest. It’s a great app for social media pundits, but at heart its just another news reader. Download if you must.