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Samsung Tablets Offers More Mag App

Challenging Apple's monopoly on tablet-based magazines, publishers have begun bringing Android-based devices into the fold.  Starting Wednesday, some Samsung Galaxy tablet users will be able to buy app versions of seven magazines, as single copies or monthly subscriptions, MediaMemo reports. "The deal comes via Next Issue Media, the ‘Hulu for Magazines' consortium five big publishers put together to build their own digital newsstand."

"Publishers aren't solely focused on iOS, and five of them have teamed up in a consortium called Next Issue Media to peddle magazines on tablets running on Google's Android platform," PCMag writes.

 "Unlike on Apple's App Store, publishers will get ‘full access' to subscriber information from Next Issue's apps," AppleInsider notes. That said, "Apple Vice President of Internet Services Eddy Cue confirmed last week that roughly half of iPad users voluntarily share their personal information with publishers."

"Obviously, it's far too early to tell whether or not this deal will give publishers more leverage in their negotiations with Cupertino, as the service will only be available to a small slice of Android tablet users," writes Engadget. "But [Next Issue CEO Morgan Guenther] says his organization is planning on releasing more titles for more devices this fall, with at least 40 magazines due out by year's end, along with an app for HP's WebOS."

Indeed, as The Wall Street Journal notes, "The preview product is a skeletal version of what is scheduled to come out in the fall."  The digital newsstand comprises Time, Inc., Hearst, Conde Nast, Meredith, and News Corp. Called an "early preview," this initial offering allows readers to either subscribe or buy single issues to Fortune and Time from Time, Inc.; the New Yorker from Conde Nast; Fitness and Parents from Meredith; and Esquire and Popular Mechanics from Hearst.

Bigger picture, "The Apple agreements and the NIM storefront launch come as publishers are scrambling to manage content systems for iPads, iPhones, the Galaxy, Barnes & Noble's Nook, among others," paidContent notes. "Many staffs are finding themselves being stretched to the limit, while some publishing veterans express dismay at the rush to create apps, when websites and print are still where the money is."

Read the whole story at Media Memo »

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