The ‘new’ CNN.com is up and running after more than a year of planning. SVP/GM David Payne borrows a line from the Staples ad campaign: “If there were an ‘easy button’ for news, this is what you’d expect.” Not so sure about that but it is easier to navigate.

Video: All video on the site is free now, with CNN touting the Turner Media Player as the “largest Flash video player of its kind.” Some of the user comments raise a different issue about video—not everyone wants it and some seem to go online to avoid video news. One user suggests no standalone video without an accompanying story. Other people are running into problems seeing Flash at work or having video blocked because of their ad blockers. At last check, there were four live video streams but not in multiview. As expected with the recent investment in IBS, more local news.

One funny note read “I’m guessing it’s designed to be iPhone friendly.” Actually, I tried viewing the site via iPhone and couldn’t get it to load at all until I was on WiFi; my other edge-speed device loaded the mobile version of the page quickly. The full site, including video, works well so far using a 3G card but users with slower speeds but non-broadband users are having problems; no obvious low-speed options.

Looking it over: A few notes after another look-through:

-- It is a less-dense site with more white space. Following a single story becomes simpler with what CNN calls an “integrated” story page with tabs for video, photos, map; also related links.

-- Clicking on “hot news” tags at the topic can bring up stories across CNN.com, CNNMoney.com, Time.com, SI.com.

-- Still two different editions: U.S. and international. 

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