Apple News+ expands entertainment options with new Spelling Game and Offline Mode
Apple this month announced two new features for Apple News+ subscribers: Quartiles, a daily original spelling game, and Offline Mode, allowing access to personalized content without an internet connection.
Apple this month announced two new features for Apple News+ subscribers: Quartiles, a daily original spelling game, and Offline Mode, allowing access to personalized content without an internet connection.
Quartiles is a new word game designed to test spelling skills and vocabulary. Subscribers can play a new puzzle daily, competing to form words by selecting tiles containing two to four letters. Points are awarded based on word length, and players can share puzzles with other News+ subscribers.
Quartiles joins the existing Puzzles collection within Apple News+, which also offers daily crossword puzzles for subscribers in the US and Canada (introduced with iOS 17). News+ subscribers can also track their performance through a Puzzles Scoreboard, displaying personalized statistics and streaks for each puzzle type.
The new Offline Mode empowers subscribers to access a selection of News+ content even when disconnected from Wi-Fi or cellular data. This functionality automatically downloads recent and personalized content, including:
- Top Stories
- Apple News Today audio briefings
- Full magazine issues
- Narrated articles from News+ publishers
- Puzzles
Downloaded content remains accessible offline, allowing subscribers to continue reading, listening, or playing games during commutes or travel with limited connectivity. Once reconnected to the internet, downloaded content automatically refreshes, and the download process prioritizes storage space optimization on the device.
The introduction of Quartiles and Offline Mode caters to the evolving needs of Apple News+ subscribers. Quartiles provides a new and engaging way to test vocabulary and offers a fun daily challenge. Offline Mode enhances user convenience by ensuring continued access to curated content regardless of internet availability. These features aim to elevate the overall News+ experience by offering a wider range of entertainment options and improved content accessibility.
Apple's investment in new features for News+ subscribers reflects the growing demand for engaging and readily accessible content consumption methods. As mobile device usage continues to rise, the ability to access personalized content offline is likely to become an increasingly sought-after feature for subscription services.