Digital Magazines on the iPad

Digital magazines have come of age since I first subscribed to Fortune on Amazon Kindle back in 2008. Back in those days, the content was simply text extracted from the print version and channelled through the digital reading device in boring black-and-white format. The arrival of Apple’s iPad, to borrow their phrase, “changes everything”. 

Digital magazines on the iPad are not only colorful but also interactive. I was first impressed by Car and Driver’s digital magazine that had in-built videos of cars speeding down the track next to a textual review of the car. A picture may paint a thousand words, but in this case, a video with roaring engines and screeching tires, simply blows away the mind. Next on the impressive-list are picture slideshows of the car, its interiors and other details that a reader could swoon over. Another feature was a linked section to a forum where readers could instantly discuss with other readers the article they were reading. These features of the digital magazine is possibly the best way to give the reader an immersive experience, and is something that traditional print magazines cannot achieve alone. Additionally, advertisements in magazines are more sophisticated and provides readers with a direct link to the product and advertiser – a simple click through on the advertisement takes an interested reader from the digital magazine to the website of the advertiser. Like an e-book, a digital magazine is downloaded to the device’s library and can be carried everywhere. I recently spent an entire 5 hour flight poring through my library of various magazines without feeling bored or fatigued. As an early adopter of the iPad, I’ve since ditched the Kindle as a digital reading device in favor of the iPad’s large and bright touch-screen. The swiping motion to flip pages and pinching to enlarge pictures and text are so intuitive and human that it makes reading on the iPad a pleasure. The daily commuter on public buses or trains will know the frustrations of trying to flip through a large-sized newspaper or magazine without slicing the person sitting next to you with paper-cuts. The only worry one has with a digital magazine on the iPad is the curious eyes of that person trying to sneak a peek of the glorious center-fold models (car!) in your hands.

There are literally hundreds of magazines available on the iPad, some of which are delivered through the publications’ dedicated application, but most of which are through a 3^rd party that converts the print version to digital format. Magazines and periodicals like Economist and Car & Driver have developed apps that are free to download and charge for subscription or the flexibility of purchasing single-issues. These custom apps are the ones that provide the greatest readability and interactivity as compared to direct print conversions, which is almost like reading a PDF. Zinio is a popular 3^rd party digital content provider and they offer an increasingly diverse and rich collection of magazines from all around the world.

In reviewing digital magazines, I must also acknowledge that there are several free options to access digital content, first and foremost being the Internet and the websites of content providers such as CNN, Reuters, CNBC, Bloomberg, Fast Company, etc. There is still heavy contention between the pay-for-content model (Wall Street Journal, The Times) and the give-it-for-free model, the former’s stand being that readers will be able to discern the higher quality as well as gain access to the insights from exclusive editorials and commentaries. To each his own, and this just means that readers have access to a multitude of sources.

I’m constantly finding new digital magazines to add to my burgeoning library. It helps that these digital subscriptions are cheaper than print, are with me when I travel and these digital magazines do not crease nor suffer from wear-and-tear. My library of digital magazines and digital newspapers include: The Economist, Wall Street Journal, SME Magazine (Singapore), 新世纪, Car and Driver, Esquire, GQ, Men’s Health and Golf Digest.