It isn’t easy to know which iPhone applications are fantastic and which aren’t anymore. Just because you see an application shows up in a number of different RSS newsfeeds doesn’t mean that it’s worth the look. All it really says is that the marketing machine for the app is working well.  So when I saw a number of posts about CNN’s new iPhone application and how fantastic it is, I wasn’t immediately buying. Sure the application might be fantastic, but it was equally possible that it was simply well marketed.

I’ve been looking at the new CNN iPhone application, and it is fantastic. In fact, it is definitely one of those applications that is worth the $1.99 price tag. Here’s why –

When you first launch the application it gives you the top stories with sharp images and clear text.

Tap on any of the news items and to quickly opens the news item to offer you an even larger image, boat points of summary, and the full text of the article.

When you flick the screen to the left it moves you to the next article. When you flip the screen to the right it goes to the prior article.

No matter what the article there is a menu button that offers you the option to share the story, follow the topic represented in the story or save it for later. The video button and it opens up to a clear crisp video clip back, at least over WiFi, loads with remarkable speed.

The “my CNN” button gives you local water and traffic, local news and access to your followed and saved articles. I was particularly blown away by how useful the local traffic tab is, especially when using an iPhone 3GS with its 3G chip built in. That alone is worth the $1.99 price tag of the application.

The “video” button shows you a huge assortment of video from CNN. It loads with incredible speed and, even better, place back without the smallest hiccup.

iReport-

One of the other features of the new CNN application is similar to what CBS released months ago with their “user generated” content submission.

Application users can take video clips and submit news reports to CNN on the go. Fortunately, there is an oversight process that will take place on CNN’s part which will hopefully reduce the amount of garbage or inappropriate content tickets posted by users.

Personal note — this is an interesting feature but I don’t find it all that compelling and I’m not sure how much I would use it. Still it’s early doesn’t hurt to have it there.

Other functionality includes –

Push notification of breaking news

The ability to personalize and localize the news stories you receive

Landscape mode that displays articles using cover flow animation

The ability to automatically save articles for off-line access

One significant downside to the application is that, although you have to pay $1.99 in order to purchase the application first place you’ll still have to suffer through banner advertisements while using the application. Clearly this is a good move on CNN’s part as they make a little bit of money on the front-end when the application is purchased and then they continue to make money from advertisers. As an end-user, however, I’m not really fond of it.

In short, CNN’s new iPhone application setting new standards for news applications on the iPhone and iPod touch with regard to usability, smoothness of navigation, and richness of offerings. If you are a newshound, then it is definitely worth the price of admission!