• by Fern Siegel , November 20, 2007

Some read magazines during a commute. Others will now read it on the smallest of screens.

Zinio LLC, a digital publishing and distribution platform for magazines and books, has introduced a Zinio Mobile Newsstand for Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch. The development serves a twofold purpose: Mobile users can access their favorite magazines, and publishers have new access to a mobile audience.

Magazines available in the Zinio Mobile Newsstand replicate the print version. The visuals, however, are augmented by interactivity and share capabilities.

Touting Apple's devices as a natural connection to print, CEO Rich Maggiotto said users will "benefit from having their magazines in a high-fidelity, portable format that can be viewed practically anywhere."

The digital edition will be offered free--at least initially.

There are a wide variety of publishers that have signed on for the effort, in both domestic and international editions, such as Hearst, IDG, Gruner + Jahr, Hachette Filipacchi, IPC Media, Ziff Davis and McGraw-Hill. Among the magazines included: American Photo, Car & Driver, MacWorld, Men's Health, Saveur, Women's Day, Outside's Go and Kiplinger's.