The Associated Press have launched a localized news service for the iPhone.  The system, which additionally works with other mobile devices, uses a ZIP cipher to bring stories from 107 big-name partnerships, including The Miami Herald and the San Francisco Chronicle.  Supported by adverts, revenue will be shared, in part, amoung subject matter providers.

National news will plus be offered from AP’s sources.  However the group is concentrating on local stories to differentiate it from rival aggregators such as Google News and Yahoo!

News.  The bulk of the composition providers have signed up since AP’s first announcement of their intention, back on April 14th; soon after, they only had six newspaper companies on board.

The AP confirmed that they had consulted Apple on how best to tailor the service for the iPhone, but said that the company had had no “formal role” with the product.  Further news subject matter providers are apparently considering whether to participate.  They include Gannett Co. and Tribune Co.

[via TechCrunch]