Google Currents is Google’s new Flipboard-style news magazine for the iPad, iPhone and Android devices. I say Flipboard style because that seems to be the comparison lots of people are making in initial responses to its release. Here’s a slice of how Google themselves describe the new app on the Google Mobile Blog:
We strive to give you beautiful and simple ways to experience all the content the web has to offer, such as sharing photos on Google+, watching YouTube videos and discovering books, movies and music from Android Market. Today we’re expanding our content offering with the introduction of Google Currents, a new application for Android devices, iPads and iPhones that lets you explore online magazines and other content with the swipe of a finger.
They’ve partnered with over 150 publishers to offer full-length articles – publishers that include CNET, AllThingsD, Forbes, PBS and more big names. There’s also some sort of self-service platform for publishers.
I’m a huge fan of Flipboard and of iPad magazines in general, so of course I installed Google Currents as soon as I saw it mentioned earlier today. I’ve only spent a very short while with it so far, but I’ve got some quick notes and thoughts on it – hit the break for those and a couple more screenshots …
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Editions by AOL, one of the newer iPad-only magazine titles, got an update this weekend – to Version 1.1.5.
The most notable change this update brings is support for landscape mode – so you can now read Editions in both portrait and landscape mode. This is a welcome addition – as I believe it is a very dumb decision for almost any iPad eBook, magazine, or newspaper title to limit readers to just one orientation.
Here are the remaining items on the change list for this new version:
• LinkedIn integration – you can now connect your LinkedIn account to Editions and share articles to LinkedIn.
• Improved stability and bug fixes throughout the app.
And here’s an App Store link for Editions; it’s a free app.
Editions by AOL – the newest iPad-only magazine, released in early August – has added new content this week.
There are now three new content sections available – Pets, Gaming, and Automotive.
Editions lets you personalize and customize the content you see by choosing which sections you want to see, what order you want to see them in, and in various other clever ways.
I haven’t had a chance to look at the three new sections yet, as they will only show up in the next daily edition once chosen, but I’m happy to see the magazine adding content.
Editions was our choice for Best Free iPad of the Week recently – check that post out to see more details on it.
Here’s an App Store link for Editions – it’s still a free app.
Editions by AOL is a new iPad-only magazine from the folks who pioneered CDs as coasters for our coffee mugs. It’s the latest social, highly customizable news magazine style app for the iPad, following in the footsteps of Flipboard and others that have lead the way in this category.
Here’s a little of its App Store intro:
Editions by AOL is a beautiful, new, daily magazine that reads you.
It learns what you like (and what you don’t) and delivers a magazine that’s personalized just for you, each and every day. … Whether you’re into Entertainment, Tech, or Fashion, or just want to keep up with business news or local happenings, Editions connects you with the best stories that match your interests.
I’ve been trying out Editions today and I have to say I’m quite impressed so far. Right from first launch it prompts you to start personalizing it by connecting to Facebook, Twitter and AOL/AIM (does anyone really still use those?).
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As The New York Times reported this weekend, things are looking good for The New Yorker’s iPad edition. Here are some of the numbers reported for The New Yorker Magazine for iPad:
– 100,000 iPad readers
– 20,000 subscribers at $59.99 per year.
– 75,000 who have taken up the magazine’s offer for print subscribers to download the app for free
– Several thousand more people buy single issues at $4.99 per week.
These are said to be the best numbers for any Condé Nast iPad edition – ahead of Wired, GQ, Vanity Fair and others.
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