December 10, 2010

Future to launch 14 paid-for apps by Christmas

Specialist consumer magazine publisher Future today announced it will be launching 14 new paid-for iPad apps before Christmas.

The new apps are a mixture of magazine editions, and spin-off features from existing magazines.

Speaking at a press conference today Future chief executive said: “Our target was to bring out 10 new apps in time for Christmas but we are announcing 14 special iPad editions today aimed squarely at the Christmas market in the UK, US and other countries where iPad penetration has created viable markets.

“We are now in a terrific position were we can reach people across the many spheres of our publications on a worldwide basis.”

The announcement follows the release of over 50 of Future’s magazines on the Zinio iPad platform and the release of Guitar World magazine’s “lick of the day” iPad and iPhone app, which Future said was downloaded 330,000 times in its first month.

Future said the success of this new wave of apps will be used to guide all of subsequent publishing for mobile technology.

Future iPad and tablet editions editor-in-chief Mike Goldsmith said:”There is no manual for this and there is no one size fits all approach we can use. Availability of these apps, for now, is the key feature for us. Once they are out there we will take a view on how these 14 apps work and then see what to do.”

According to Future, online magazines already account a quarter of all advertising revenue.

Prices on the 14 apps range from 59p to £5.49.

The apps are: