Dueling Apps: Publishers Rush Digital Pubs

Richard-Branson

As the end of the year approaches, publishers and media companies are rushing to introduce new digital publications created specifically for Apple's popular iPad tablet computer. The new generation of iPad-only digital magazines and newspapers includes "The Daily" from News Corp., "Project" from Virgin, and "News+" from Bonnier.

According to early reports about the News Corp. magazine, "The Daily" will employ about 150 people, including editorial, business and technical responsibilities, with a first-year budget of $30 million. Jesse Angelo, the former executive editor of the New York Post, will lead the team, with Greg Clayman, who formerly served as head of digital distribution for Viacom, in charge of business operations.

Richard Branson has beat Rupert Murdoch to the punch with the launch of Virgin's new "Project," a monthly digital magazine led by former FHM editor Anthony Noguera. Also tailored for the iPad, the first issue of "Project" went on sale at the Apple App Store on Monday with a price of $2.99 per month.

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The first issue features a cover story on Jeff Bridges and the "Tron: Legacy" remake. It includes interactive video on the cover and throughout the publication. Content will be updated throughout the month, making the digital magazine a dynamic product.

Separately, Bonnier is launching a new iPad-only newspaper-like product, called "News+," which aggregates interesting and important news from across the Web for consumption on the tablet computer, according to Min Online.

The "News+" aim is to cut through the huge amount of information available on the Internet and present only what is most relevant and newsworthy; thus, News+ is at least as much an editorial as a design product. Min Online reports that the new product will launch in Europe, drawing on Bonnier-owned national newspapers and business dailies in Sweden and Denmark.

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