Indy revamps website and launches new iPad app

The Independent has unveiled a new look for its website independent.co.uk, aligning its masthead with the dramatic new one recently introduced on the newspaper, and is also launching an iPad app and revamping its mobile site.

The website's editor Martin King tells readers: "First to enter the light is the revamped website, where your feedback will ensure a rapid evolution as we work to make the experience ever smoother – notwithstanding the fact that we have to balance commercial needs.

"At the same time we are also launching a new iPad app. Then we shall revamp our mobile site as well."

Changes to the website include:

• Greater flexibility in the use of images.
  

• Smoother and more flexible integration of video.

• Clearer ways for readers to comment on articles, share them with Facebook friends or Tweet about them.

• There is also a new tagging system for the site

King says: "We approach all this with humility and some trepidation, not least because we know we must be doing some things right - the site has seen eight consecutive quarters of growth, rising from 22.8m unique visitors in the summer quarter of 2009 to 39.8m in the same quarter this year."

He adds: "The print title and the website are a pair of siblings. And like brothers or sisters they share many similarities. We stay close, but need our own space to thrive in our separate environments.

"And for independent.co.uk that means as rapid an evolution as we can manage (notwithstanding the fact that we need to take the breaks to listen to our users and polish what we have as well). I hope you enjoy the ride."