The Associated Press is testing a mobile initiative to deliver national and local news to smartphones as part of a push to find new digital outlets for the news. The AP is calling it the Mobile News Network, but didn’t say if it would take the form of an application or a WAP site. So far, it’s being tested by a limited number of members, but it is expected to launch by summer with broader participation. Release.

AP said it is working with phone manufacturers and carriers to develop a user interface that would be best for displaying news stories, photos and some video. The network is expected to offer rich content, and said explicitly that it will be available for the iPhone. The network is also working on a plan for how to best integrate video and audio in the future. The mobile network’s launch is the first product to be released by the AP’s Digital Cooperative. It will probably be helpful to all of its members, who don’t have the resources to launch their own mobile application, or wouldn’t have a broad enough audience to justify the investment on their own. The network will be ad-subsidized, giving local advertisers another avenue to reach readers.

The AP made additional announcements at its annual meeting today. More on that can be found on PaidContent here.