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Flipboard for iOS Now Supports GIFs

As if Flipboard weren't enough of a time-suck, the social news magazine has introduced GIFs to its iOS applications.

By Stephanie Mlot
August 15, 2013
Flipboard GIFs

As if Flipboard weren't enough of a wonderful time-suck, the social news magazine has introduced GIFs to its iOS applications.

Android and Web users have already integrated the animated images into magazines like Just GIF It, GIF Pop, and GIF Me a Break. And now iPhone and iPad readers can skim the same mesmerizing files.

To celebrate the new launch, Flipboard curated some GIF-centric magazines into the Content Guide; just tap the red ribbon in the app to find them.

The latest edition of Flipboard also comes with enhancements like top U.S. news, business, tech, and sports stories, highlighting the first seven stories in each section. Flip for more news of the day or to catch up on previous days' events.

Additionally, users can now learn more about their favorite magazine makers with the "pagebox" function. Those with a personal library of more than two magazines will automatically have the pagebox added to the fourth page of each periodical. The clickable avatar transports readers to the curator's profile page, with an overview of their activities.

Flip 10 or more items into a magazine and you'll be prompted to share it with friends and followers.

The iOS-based update is available now in the Apple iTunes Store.

Flipboard recently expanded its reach to desktop users, who can now read magazines directly in their Web browser, complete with the signature "flip" move. Topics range from camping to cars, independent filmmaking to immigration reform, and, of course, GIFs.

The Graphics Interchange Format was recently the subject of much discussion after creator Steve Wilhite claimed the acronym is pronounced with a soft "G" — as in, JIF.

Despite its peanut-buttery title, the animated files have made a splash among Web users, who appear to spend much of their time creating and sharing GIFs of cuddly cats and Benedict Cumberbatch. They are so popular, in fact, that Google early this year added a GIF-finding filter to its image search, making it easier for users to find the perfect infinitely looping video of Ryan Gosling.

The Web giant later rolled out the use of animated GIFs as Google+ profile photos.

For more, see the story of animated GIFS told through animated GIFS, as well as our guide to how to make your own looping image file. Also check out PCMag's review of Flipboard for iPad.

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About Stephanie Mlot

Contributor

Stephanie Mlot

B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations with minor in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)

Reporter at The Frederick News-Post (2008-2012)

Reporter for PCMag and Geek.com (RIP) (2012-present)

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