Name: Columbus Dispatch
Rating: 4.27217 (1161 reviews)

User Reviews for Columbus Dispatch

4.27 out of 5

1.2K Ratings

4 years ago, Ercoupe Boy

Progress — Not Perfect

The new app format, as any change that impacts ingrained muscle memory actions, triggered an initial knee jerk “I don’t like it” reaction - like when the chef first puts cilantro in your favorite bolognese sauce. But the index is easy to navigate and the “fit” arrows allow you to recreate the “old days” with a click. The combination of these features allows a much easier way to navigate each issues, which in my case usually involves a quick click on the obituaries to make sure I’m not in there.

3 years ago, JerryinHilliard

Columbus Dispatch app tough to use

I will start with a positive comment. I very much enjoy their content. As a long time resident and supporter of the Columbus region, I feel the coverage, from politics to community needs, its all good coverage. My negative is simply that their app and customer support is very lacking. Customer support is only available by phone, and then when you finally reach someone, they will tell you that they do not support the online services of the Dispatch. The app has a very limited Q&A section. Their chat feature, once you find it on the full Dispatch web site (not within the app), only deals with delivery and subscriptions for the paper deliver service, not online service! Frustrating. Anyway, I hope they figure this out. Online delivery of the news is their future, whether they want to face it or not. Good luck Dispatch!

4 years ago, Used to love the Dispatch

E-Edition is not user friendly

The most recent version of the E-Edition is very clunky and difficult to navigate. With prior version, you just double clicked on a story, and it would pull up the story, and you could “X” out when done and it would take you back to the same page you were just on. Also, you used the back and forward arrows to turn the pages. Easy and made sense. Still can’t figure out this new version, even after reading the tutorial. Can’t figure how to view the entire story, and get back to the previous page. Also, the back and forth arrow keys take you to the home page of the app, they don’t turn the pages. Also, the pages are too small to read, or if you enlarge them, they too big and can only view part of the page at a time. Please fix this, reading the paper shouldn’t be so difficult and stressful. Can’t even imagine how it difficult it is for for those who are less computer-literate than I am.

4 years ago, VulcanDragon

Not all changes are good

The new app seems zippier, but has made some bad trade offs. Most notably, when you tap to read an article, the article only fills the bottom half of my iPad; the top shows a shrunken and largely useless image of the page. That is not what I need in that moment, let me use my full screen to read the article like the old app did. And let me read the ENTIRE article to the end, not just the part on that page! Also, you removed the ability for me to change the font size to my tastes (I prefer it larger than the default), as pretty much all e-readers have allowed forever. Restoring these features would make this a much better app, the old app had them and it was a mistake to remove them. (I also miss dynamic view a little, but that’s not a show stopper...I tended to use the standard view more anyway.)

8 months ago, Journalism Fan

Great and fair newspaper!

The Columbus Dispatch has been an institution in Ohio for many years, deservedly so. It provides in-depth coverage and analysis of local events, features of interest, as well as weather and extensive sports stories. all done in a very balanced manner. The app enhances the paper by making it very easy to navigate the different sections, while continuously highlighting breaking local and national stories. Having a complete e-newspaper on the app which can be read from cover-to-cover is also a great feature. The Dispatch and it’s app provides one with all the news they need to know in a very enjoyable format, well worth the time and attention.

2 years ago, Frances73

Terrible App

I have been using the Dispatch app for a few months and have to say that trying to read the digital version is miserable. On my iPad only a small part of the page is visible, if I try to zoom in it skitters all over the place or even switches to another page. Have the screen is taken up with a menu I don’t need and can’t figure out how to close because some of the controls are hidden by a header. I prefer the digital version because it is only today’s news, not the past several days. Update, why do I have to keep signing in? Is there a setting to disable the sign in requirement?

2 months ago, A Conservative Republican

I am satisfied except politically

I love the app and read the Dispatch every day. I am able to do that because I am retired. The only thing that bugs me is the rather obvious liberal, Democratic slant especially in the headline put on articles. Sometimes the headline of the article seems more liberal than the actual content of the article. I suspect that’s because it helps the Dispatch sell more newspapers because most readers are not retired.

7 months ago, LCinOH

Impossible to Navigate

Anytime I’ve tried to change my password, the system screws everything up and I get a free chat with the Phillipines. And I cannot understand any of them. I’m tired of them taking American jobs, so when my subscription expires, I’m cancelling my Dispatch sub. Butttt, when an onshore customer service agent answered, I can usually get the problem rectified. It’s just a PITA when getting an offshore operator.

4 years ago, Change Agent

Getting better

The new app solves some of the old problems (pictures that were 10x their right size) and also makes news presentation clearer. For Central Ohio, a key news source and some excellent reporting and analysis. There are examples of better news system apps (NYT, WSJ, Guardian, WP) so not clear why these techniques are not adopted by the DIspatch.

3 years ago, TaraDodaro

Love but.....

It’s too expensive. It should be free. I want to know what’s going on in my neighborhood and community and the fact that it’s not free every month perkind a makes me mad. So I would take the five star and make it a three star. If you gave it out for free then it would be a five-star. I actually pay to get the paper but it still does not let me use the Internet paper. Which is wrong because it says that if I pay for the paper then I should get that for free. Oh and it’s not happening.

1 year ago, Anonymous1000001

Worthless and Frustrating

My login that I have had for a while doesn’t register my subscription that I have had for multiple years and the app jumps just when I find a story to read. Based on other reviews I have read I don’t understand why these issues haven’t been fixed! The monthly subscription is a lot of money and I can’t even get my paper delivered around the same time consistently. I get more emails saying my paper may be late when no major story is pending. Get your act together or sell the paper to a company that cares about their customer!!

3 years ago, JaneiR36

Stop resetting my page view

Okay, so I use my phone for other things besides reading content I pay for on this app. Please stop resetting the article I was viewing to the “Top Stories” page every time I leave the app even for a second, leaving me to have to go find the link to open the article again. The story being read should remain open until a significant enough time has passed (at least a few minutes, if I’m setting the bar at a minimum user need point). Thank you!

3 weeks ago, i-Stacy

Click bait disguised as news stories

I’m disappointed in this app and the compromises made to make it profitable. I got the paid app to avoid all the ads. However, the paid app just means I can see more stories. I understand the economics of maintaining an app but that doesn’t justify allowing ads to look Ike news stories, intermingled throughout, making me weary to click to open a story. The ad” notice is in small white font and due to placement, appears as a news valid story. Click bait is a disgrace to long standing of the dispatch as a trusted news resource.

4 years ago, B-Rad Now

Reliable

I have been reading the Dispatch daily for years in a combo of an actual paper 3 days a week or virtually on my I-pad the rest of the week for many years. I like the in-depth local and National stories. I especially like that I can communicate with editorial staff and writers through email with questions and comments.

1 year ago, Barb 98

Hometown News

No matter how long or how far you are from your hometown, your heart remains there and a local newspaper brings you close. Its important to know what family and friends are experiencing and, again, your daily newspaper helps. I appreciate being able to keep up because of The Columbus Dispatch.

4 years ago, Emmabess

Excellent Local News

The app for The Dispatch works well and offers several ways to easily read the paper. As a newspaper, The Dispatch covers both national and international news; however, it does an exceptional job on local and state news. It does a variety of in-depth reports which have lead to major changes. The Dispatch keeps me informed in a well balanced way.

9 months ago, Big Big Stan

Can I get the older version back?

For some reason my app has changed. Now I can no longer read other local newspapers from my Columbus. Dispatch subscription, such as the Newark advocate and the Canton repository. I don’t understand why it’s this way. Am I missing something? I don’t appreciate getting pop-up ads now, when you open the newspaper it completely blocks out the page. And you can’t find any way to shut it off. I’m paying for this subscription and there are ads in the paper already, so why do we have to fight off pop-up ads? Finally with the earlier app if you want if you wish to you could see the USA today now you can’t. When a revision is made, I wish it was a better version and not degradation of what we had before I would appreciate any suggestions from the developer. Thanks.

6 months ago, Sandover Sam

Frequent issues

When our carrier retired delivery of the paper Dispatch became unreliable so we now use the online version exclusively. Unfortunately, it often fails to load or asks me to repeatedly sign in on the same device I’ve now been using for 2 years. It’s also slow to load and difficult to save and read offline/ onboard when traveling.

4 years ago, Fixitnow!!

Difficult to Use

The original app was the easiest to use, this one is difficult to navigate. I’ve tried it for a few days - it should not require much time to get used to it if it’s an improvement. Instead the pages are too small or too big, jump on the page, and will only let me read in the browser, not in the app. Not a fan, and may give up my subscription if reading the paper is a frustrating experience.

10 months ago, Jdnsicmfigns4737

A major downgrade

The newest version is a major downgrade for those of us who prefer viewing the newspaper in its more traditional form. It now subjects one (despite paying subscription fees) to pop up ads, no longer permits viewing the entire length of a page at once to scan for interesting content, and has eliminated the ability to pull sections directly into a format that allows annotation.

4 years ago, 76golfer

Love the Dispatch

As an avid news junky, I appreciate getting the paper on line. I still prefer the printed paper, but cost is becoming prohibitive. My only regret is not being able to do the crossword puzzles online as I can with USA on the site. If that were possible, I would rate it a full 5 stars.

2 years ago, hiattclan

User friendly

Dispatch app is easy to use with a good user interface. Able to quickly search current stories and pull old stories from their archives

8 months ago, Wizardgraphics

The newspaper mode is just brilliant

This is how a newspaper should be read. I just hope they add the ability to write on it with an Apple Pencil. Then it will be perfect. Imagine highlighting stuff and solving crosswords and sudoku right on the app. I hope they read this.

2 weeks ago, Boo Hiss phooey

Just horrible!! I am faced with pop up adds in a paid subscription!Unacceptable

Having just reestablished service with the new bill I am now only able to open in a format that includes pop up ads and limited screen flexibility. No horizontal flip for wider larger view. Junk that I cannot remove from bottom of screen. The paper is a general disappointment on a good day and these new inconveniences are not acceptable.

4 years ago, Axlegrease47

The Columbus Dispatch

I subscribe to the e-edition. It’s easy to read and navigate. The pages are a little too responsive to movement for my taste. I’m constantly having to flip back because I a Inadvertently touched the screen. Outside of that it’s all right.

2 years ago, Josh Davda

Hard to use - unfriendly for users!

Why is it not possible to Suspend and Resume delivery of Physical Paper in easy way from APP itself? I think things have gotten worse once Dispatch was sold to the national firm! You don’t even acknowledge or confirm the e-mail sent to your Customer Center. At times, my account shows wrong subscription information - very frustrating!

3 years ago, TFCR1

Columbus Dispatch

The paper has become more and more “woke” reflecting outside ownership. Local “stories” are inane. Three days of top-of-the page, front-page, front page nonsense about some high school football “scandal”. Who cares? Nothing about Afghanistan, the collapse of our southern border, inflation, etc. it’s sunk so low, comics may be the best part, although Business is still sometimes useful.

3 months ago, P.O. pie

Digital newspaper

I I am 71 years old. Love newspapers but unfortunately due to where I live I can only have digital format. This format is fabulous when it comes to enlarging print, colored pictures and extended reading material BUT trying to navigate the site is a challenge and appears to change every day. HELP!

11 months ago, ColumbusDispatch

Columbus Dispatch app

This format is very difficult to use. It’s a challenge to get the page view to fit appropriately to read. It is too easy to accidentally navigate out of the page that you’re reading because the page tabs are so close to the content. I like reading the Dispatch e-newspaper but I’m trying to decide if I want to renew again. It was much easier to navigate the past format.

2 years ago, p....h

Not registering my subscription and not allowing me to edit tracking/privacy privileges

The app continually fails to recognize that I have an active subscription despite being logged in. It also does not allow me to edit tracking/privacy settings to anything other than allowing all tracking. I will be uninstalling until these issues are fixed.

9 months ago, eagletchick

3day old New

The Dispatch and probably most other Gannett publications have become worthless. The printed news has already been reported 2-3 days ago from other sources.

2 years ago, CeliacSyl

Very Difficult

I bought my husband a new iPad so he could continue reading the Dispatch. This was to no avail, even though we subscribe and pay for the e edition, it is seldom available before 9AM and many times we have to resign into it to prove who we are. I know Gannett can do better than this.

4 years ago, justwanttoreadthepaper

New version doesn’t download for offline reading

As title of this review states, won’t download. Most of my use is offline reading to my Samsung tablet. Update: I had to delete app, then install again and am able to download on my tablet and read offline. Looks good

2 years ago, Joe07072000

Too Many Advertisements

There are far too many (and too annoying with embedded videos) advertisements for an app for which I pay a subscription. Definitely poor in comparison with Apple News or Google News. Feed is full of sports stories, mostly high school sports for which I have little interest

6 months ago, tcsjr

Lived in Columbus for 28 years

In that time I got to know the Dispatch very well. It is a big town newspaper in what I always think of Columbus as a small town atmosphere! If you are a Buckeye, it is like one of your best friends!

2 years ago, spooffed

Difficult to navigate

Looked almost everywhere to manage my subscription. Never found it. Why so difficult? Button locations are not obvious. Nearly impossible to speak to associate. Chat room far from satisfying, information is only one way. Had to play pictures game 3 times on different pages. K Johnson

3 years ago, thr_rtaylor

Very Good

After several mediocre apps, the Dispatch seemingly got it right with this one. No major complaints here and the UI is pretty good. As a paying subscriber, I would expect to lose the in line ads however - save that for free users.

3 months ago, 0pl,9okm8ikm

It does function

Not my favorite style of website —dislike how unstable is the enewspaper and having to reload pages a lot using my iPad by the way the ads that pop up in front of the pages are ver annoying — waste of time

3 years ago, whf the name thing ooc

Dispatch has lots of info

I had trouble with the app before but it’s worked well for the last year. I like being able to pull up local news without a ton of ads.

4 years ago, Fly JLA

New version is good

Older versions were frustrating bc they often crashed and photos did not load properly. The latest version has resolved all that.

3 years ago, Kevin O'Neil

Great Paper and App

Even though we don’t live in Columbus we find the Dispatch is a great paper for following news and other local Ohio stories. Well designed App too.

3 years ago, steve-westerville

Terribly frustrating

Dispatch app is terrible. I am constantly signing up…, multiple times, and they keep taking my money each time when I already have a subscription. App cannot go across platforms either. Whether I open the App directly or attempt to access a story from their FB feed the App loses my subscription. Terribly frustrating.

4 months ago, RR1525

Undependable App

Always a gamble if the app will open the Columbus Dispatch. Frequently fails to open paper; just get blank page. App will fail waiting for annoying pop-up ads. Can get all kind of miscellaneous stories today but again can’t get paper to open. Ready to drop this paper and go back to Washington post. They know how to program an app.

12 months ago, A436

Laughably Lame

It’s hard to believe that there is anyone at The Dispatch who actually proofreads any of the articles. My wife and I get a few chuckles every week over the ludicrous misspellings and lapses in grammar. Today I opened the app and found the the the obituaries were no longer available! Maybe an obituary is pending for The Dispatch.

3 years ago, Junglejet

Love reading the dispatch daily

I have always enjoyed reading the paper and nonetheless now that we are in the digital age. I read the dispatch cover to cover every day.

4 years ago, Gene Mark

New format is excellent

One format gives you images of an actual newspaper. It is very easy to navigate. The second is an online format similar to that used by USA Today. It is great!

1 year ago, Jeven the sexy girl!

Consistently on time and on target for our local needs and news!

Thanks!

4 years ago, Ken6227

Reliable News Source

We are inundated with news these days but it’s always good to have reliable source as a cross check of all others.

10 months ago, Mawelsh

I’m paying for ads?

Isn’t the point of paying for a subscription the avoidance of annoying pop-up ads? The “paper” is already full of ads you have to swipe past.

4 years ago, SCope07

Great content and now, an awesome mobile app

Always been a fan of the writing staff at The Columbus Dispatch but the mobile app wasn’t the best. With the new look, it truly is the best local contact for Columbus news.

Description

From critically acclaimed storytelling to powerful photography to engaging videos — The Columbus Dispatch app delivers the local news that matters most to your community. APP FEATURES: • Access all of our in-depth journalism, including things to do around town, sports coverage from high school to the pros, and much more. • Enjoy a streamlined, fast-loading experience that makes it easy to view the stories, photos, and videos that matter to you. • Get breaking news, sports scores, and weather alerts with real-time notifications tailored to your interests. • Customize your experience by saving your favorite stories, adjusting text size, using night mode, or reading offline. MORE INFORMATION: • Privacy Policy: http://cm.dispatch.com/privacy/ • Terms of Service: http://cm.dispatch.com/terms/ • Questions or Comments: [email protected] • Subscriptions are charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase and automatically renew each month or year, unless turned off in your iTunes account settings at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your iTunes account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage your subscriptions and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to your iTunes Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription, where applicable. See "Subscription Support" in the app's Settings for more details and customer service contact information.