• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, July 8, 2010

Want to get crazy with some do-it-yourself renovations? Shopping for a new car? Fascinated by turbines? Curious about the latest in supersonic flight? Then you may be part of the target market for the new iPad app from Popular Mechanics, which just debuted a preview edition available for $1.99. Hearst Magazines has not decided on the price for future, full editions of the magazine app.

The preview edition of the app gives subscribers an engaging, interactive look at all the editorial topics covered by the original tech geek magazine, including personal technology, science, cars and home improvement, bringing this content to life with embedded video, 3D building plans, and interactive animations. Among the nifty features are an interactive Earthquake Tracker, complete with the latest seismic data; an animated, step-by-step demonstration to accompany a piece on building a tool-charging station; and an animated illustration of an "extreme" free fall without a parachute (you have to read the article to find out why anyone would attempt this).

Jim Meigs, editor in chief, noted that the first batch of content available via the app is not actually a complete issue of the magazine, but previews some of the features that will be included in complete issues available later this year. He explained: "While our first app is mainly a test issue to see how PM translates to the iPad, we believe our readers and the technologically curious will be entertained and informed by what we've created."