RIA Novosti has recently released iPhone applications in English and French, reports the Novosti website. The new apps from the Russian news sources will allow for French and English readers to browse through Russian and international news, watch videos, view photos and infographics, and download and e-mail favorites.

Speaking about the new apps, deputy marketing director Sergei Lysakov of Novosti says, "RIA Novosti wants to be closer to its customers all over the world. First we released an iPhone app that allows users to access the agency's news in Russian. Now we're releasing versions in English and French while developing interfaces for new iPhone apps in two more languages. We are planning to expand our presence in the global media market in cooperation with the world's leading media brands"

The release of these applications comes after Apple's app has already shown enormous success and promises to continue to grow. If Novosti's English and French applications prove to be successful, it could be good news for news sources seeking to expand their audiences.

While many other new sources have been aiming toward being hyperlocal, these Novosti applications represent a significantly different approach. By making their news available in French and English apps, Novosti allows for the possibility of a more international audience and presence.

While translating the news into other languages is certainly not a new idea, Novosti's English and French apps on a mobile device could bring in a new audience for the news source and allow them to attain a more international position in the global news market.

Sources: RIA Novosti