Zinio, one of the first companies to put secure PDF versions online in a nearly unusable format, has just released an iPhone app that will allow Transworld Skateboarding digital magazine subscribers ($6.97) to stumble through a digital version of the mag on their iPhones.
Zinio’s CEO spares no hyperbole in his description:
“In one fell swoop, Zinio is mobilizing the entire publishing industry and moving it light years ahead,” said Rich Maggiotto, President & CEO, Zinio. “While many publishers are battling digital distribution with a platform-by-platform approach, Zinio has announced ‘Unity’ for consumers to explore and enjoy reading digitally regardless of their device from anywhere in the world.”
One fell swoop? It’s like magic for magazines. Who doesn’t love magic? There is one very cool function, however. It is called “read mode” and it makes it possible to view a “text-only” version of the magazine which can save loads of frustration with the magazine layouts.
After cruising around a magazine issue with the Zinio app ourselves we have to say it is smooth-running, nicely designed, and easy to use. In fact, it’s probably the best “digital magazine reader” we’ve tried so far.
Follow the jump for all the details.
Zinio Launches iPhone App as Key Element of ‘Unity’ Reading Platform
NEW YORK, Jan. 11 — Zinio, the world’s leader in digital publishing, technology, distribution and services, today announced the launch of its iPhone app (zinio.com/iphone) as the cornerstone of its ubiquitous “Unity” reading platform. Currently offering its digital content to be read on PC, Mac, netbook, touch-screen and tablet devices, Zinio now adds another reading access point to its multi-platform-enabled portfolio.
As other publishers continue to launch titles individually on separate platforms, Zinio will offer its global, iPhone-ready selection of thousands of magazine and book titles, reinforcing its multi-platform rollout strategy (zinio.com/iphonevideo). Rather than a series of individual device-driven efforts, Zinio now optimizes for the screen on which it is being read. A pioneer in the digital-publishing space since 2001, Zinio’s content will be accessible to consumers from where they can get the most enjoyment, paying for it only once.
With its application having been showcased on a number of technology-partner devices at the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Zinio will reveal specifics regarding its fast-growing, global-distribution partnerships over the next few months. Delivering over 115 million publications to more than 140 different countries, Zinio will continue to empower the digital-reading experience with ongoing plans in 2010.
“In one fell swoop, Zinio is mobilizing the entire publishing industry and moving it light years ahead,” said Rich Maggiotto, President & CEO, Zinio. “While many publishers are battling digital distribution with a platform-by-platform approach, Zinio has announced ‘Unity’ for consumers to explore and enjoy reading digitally regardless of their device from anywhere in the world.”
Zinio’s highly anticipated free application for the iPhone and iPod touch initially launches with access to titles including: Automobile Magazine, Car and Driver, Chicago magazine, iPhone Life, Marie Claire, Motor Trend, PC Magazine, Popular Mechanics, Popular Science, Redbook, The Independent Guide to the iPhone 3GS, Transworld Motocross, Transworld Skateboarding, Vegetarian Times, VIVmag, Yoga Journal and many more. Subsequently, the rest of its global catalog of thousands of books and magazines will be released.
About Zinio:
Zinio is revolutionizing reading. Through digital products and services, the Company creates better ways for people to discover published content, get more of it and do more with it. Zinio works closely with publishers worldwide to reinvent reading. For consumers, Zinio enables the ability to shop for, search inside, read, share and save digital content in new ways and on many devices. With over 50,000 digital magazines and books, and e-stores localized in 15 languages, zinio.com is the largest newsstand in the world. Founded in 2001 and privately held, Zinio is headquartered in San Francisco and has offices in New York, London, Paris, Barcelona and Taipei.
“There is one very cool function, however. It is possible to view a “text-only” version of the magazine which can save loads of frustration with the magazine layouts.”
The only problem with a skate mag in that format is that it’s 90% photography.
Carl you just said a mouthful…
“The only problem with a skate mag in that format is that it’s 90% photography.”
so, if this is indeed the case, who is going to spend $6.97 for something that they may only receive 10% of the value for.
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