Virgin's iPad 'Project' goes free as app subscriptions fail to materialize
Starting Thursday and running through Dec. 29, the first issue of the new iPad-exclusive Project magazine from Richard Branson's Virgin Group is available for free, giving iPad owners a taste of the interactive digital publication.
Courtesy of Virgin America, Virgin Blue and Virgin Mobile Canada, the first issue of Project is now available for free (iTunes link). Users can get the Project application from the App Store for free, and individual issues are available for download from within the app.
The magazine offers unique features that can only be accomplished on an iPad. For example, one story has readers use their finger to push away dirt to reveal the headline "Eat My Dirt," about a Danish chef who runs a restaurant ranked as the world's best.
A profile on Academy Award-winning actor Jeff Bridges has the star of "Tron" and "True Grit" walk onscreen along the shore of a beach before the text accompanying the first paragraph of the story appears. And advertisements are interactive, too, with a Lexus ad that invites users to "touch to explore the world's most advanced driving simulator."
When the application first launched at the end of November, the debut issue of Project cost $2.99. The magazine also debuted before Apple is rumored to offer recurring application subscriptions, which would allow digital publications like Branson's to offer annual subscriptions.
One report said Apple could hold a media event to unveil the subscriptions as early as Dec. 9, though that rumor failed to materialize. It has been suggested that a new tablet-only newspaper from News Corporation, dubbed The Daily could be introduced alongside a new App Store subscription option. That publication is expected to arrive on Jan. 17.
Because the ability to offer application subscriptions will likely require a new application programming interface, Apple is rumored to be working on an update for its iOS mobile operating system. Rumors in November said iOS 4.3 could arrive in December, but they too failed to materialize.
Courtesy of Virgin America, Virgin Blue and Virgin Mobile Canada, the first issue of Project is now available for free (iTunes link). Users can get the Project application from the App Store for free, and individual issues are available for download from within the app.
The magazine offers unique features that can only be accomplished on an iPad. For example, one story has readers use their finger to push away dirt to reveal the headline "Eat My Dirt," about a Danish chef who runs a restaurant ranked as the world's best.
A profile on Academy Award-winning actor Jeff Bridges has the star of "Tron" and "True Grit" walk onscreen along the shore of a beach before the text accompanying the first paragraph of the story appears. And advertisements are interactive, too, with a Lexus ad that invites users to "touch to explore the world's most advanced driving simulator."
When the application first launched at the end of November, the debut issue of Project cost $2.99. The magazine also debuted before Apple is rumored to offer recurring application subscriptions, which would allow digital publications like Branson's to offer annual subscriptions.
One report said Apple could hold a media event to unveil the subscriptions as early as Dec. 9, though that rumor failed to materialize. It has been suggested that a new tablet-only newspaper from News Corporation, dubbed The Daily could be introduced alongside a new App Store subscription option. That publication is expected to arrive on Jan. 17.
Because the ability to offer application subscriptions will likely require a new application programming interface, Apple is rumored to be working on an update for its iOS mobile operating system. Rumors in November said iOS 4.3 could arrive in December, but they too failed to materialize.
Comments
Magazines are dead; Pulse News and Flipboard (or something similar) are the future of reading.
In the sense of old school paper, definitely. This 'Project' could signal a new style but they messed up when there was no kind of preview. Given just a mini mag for free was needed. They finally figured that out and are doing it for a time, but really it should just be a free issue period. I can go to a newsstand and buy a copy of whatever to try it out so why not digital also.
Basically, give the App away for free now, and provide easy to access links to buy a subscriptions when in-App subscriptions are revealed.
Good idea to make it free right before the holidays, before millions of people start playing with their iPads on the morning of the 25th, and so are more likely to download and try this.
WSJ, Financial Times, NYT, Washington Post, etc.
The rest and the "new" are doomed to being "free" and selling ads as the only source of income...sorry to say!
In the end, it'll be apps like Flipboard that'll dominate short-form viewing (articles, photos, videos, etc.).
I'm on holiday without WiFi access and would like to read the mag, but need to hop over to a McDonald and download the magazine over their free WiFi...
So no, I cannot comment on the content. Do like Richard Branson's endeavours!
Cheers,
Phil
I have much respect for the bloke. He's the UK's answer to Steve Jobs. A charismatic innovator and a showman.
I spotted Branson while out xmas shopping earlier as it happens!
I have much respect for the bloke. He's the UK's answer to Steve Jobs. A charismatic innovator and a showman.
Yeah i agree. He's well liked here in the UK.
I remember taking a flight on one of his planes to Miami and we had all sorts of delays. When we got to the airport he'd faxed a copy of a letter he'd hand written apologising for the delays and arranged a goody bag for everyone of the passengers. Nice touch! Nice bloke!
Yeah i agree. He's well liked here in the UK.
I remember taking a flight on one of his planes to Miami and we had all sorts of delays. When we got to the airport he'd faxed a copy of a letter he'd hand written apologising for the delays and arranged a goody bag for everyone of the passengers. Nice touch! Nice bloke!
Thats very familiar sounding. Half the people I know, work for him, and all report positive encounters. He is very hands on and shows a genuine interest in his staff, and occasionally out enjoying a casual drink like he was no one in particular, free of superiority complex.
The magazine also debuted before Apple is rumored to offer recurring application subscriptions,
All your base are belong to us...
Thats very familiar sounding. Half the people I know, work for him, and all report positive encounters. He is very hands on and shows a genuine interest in his staff, and occasionally out enjoying a casual drink like he was no one in particular, free of superiority complex.
Spoken as only somone from a pure classist society could.
Branson has an excellent track record, so I trust he'll make it work or put a stop to it rather quickly.
I don't see that cola in stores anymore.
There are many times I purchase just one particular issue of a magazine for whatever reason, as I'm sure many of us have.
I would definitely view it on an Ipad out of convenience if single issues were available.
The time for going digital is now upon us. Hopefully Apple can make it happen and the publishers realize that this is the way to go.
Spoken as only somone from a pure classist society could.
So then low life proletariat, how do you extrapolate from the above writings that I have classist tendencies?
If you knew me, you would know that I am utterly opposed to all social class systems (though segregating thick people with opinions is tempting), hence why I wrote the above. I worked in the music industry for many years and I know too well what fame and fortune does to people. It's the same the world over, and it will be the same in whichever corner of the earth you crawled from.
For someone as successful as Richard Branson to give the time of day to your average man-on-the-street, shows a man of good character, and that I applaud. Forgive me for praising the good in people!
I have travelled much in my life, and believe me, class systems are rife the world over. England is not immune, but it barely registers on the classist richter scale by comparison. You need to get out more, and stop watching those British period dramas on TV.