According to Ad Age, Conde Nast is "tapping the brakes" on delivering iPad editions of its existing line of print magazines. Currently available are Wired, GQ, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, Golf Digest, Self and Allure, but the publisher reportedly does not see a strong business case for adding more options.
"That hardly means Conde is done with the iPad," author Nat Ives wrote. "It remains committed to creating iPad editions for its titles, with an undisclosed one planned to arrive in May. And it has created many other kinds of iPad apps tied to its brands that don't attempt to deliver an entire print issue's experience."
Previously, Conde Nast was pushing to make all of its magazines available on the ipad. But since initial sales were not as strong as expected, the company has decided to slow its approach. "We're not rushing," one publisher reportedly said.
Some of the company's biggest products remain without an iPad edition: W, Vogue, Teen Vogue, Details, Architectural Digest, Brides, Lucky, Golf World, Bon Appetit, and Conde Nast Traveler. The publisher reportedly plans to launch many of them in the coming months, and some in early 2012.
Conde Nast made a splash last year, when it partnered with Adobe to bring Wired to the iPad as quickly as possible. The magazine got off to a strong start, selling more than 100,000 copies in its first month.
But by the end of 2010, sales had slowed significantly, to 22,000 in October and 23,000 in November. And Vanity Fair sold just 8,700 copies on the iPad in November.
Apple introduced recurring subscriptions for publications on its iOS App Store in February. But many publishers have not agreed to Apple's terms, in which the iPad maker keeps a 30 percent cut of all transactions. As a result, publications like Wired can only be purchased issue-by-issue at a much higher price than subscriptions typically offer.
54 Comments
Personally I think it's getting more and more likely that Apple will eventually admit (by changing the policy) this might not have been the best revenue idea they've had. They simply appear to be grabbing all the revenue they can squeeze from their users. It doesn't make magazines and newspapers less expensive or a better value for iOS users. To the contrary.
The expectations of iOS users, i.e., what they want to pay for an internet publication may not jive with that of the publishing companies.
For example, New York Times is the main online paper I read. I used to be an annual subscriber during my student days when we get subsidized educational discounts.
But, I would never buy the current online subscription of New York Times because it is "too costly", especially so because I can read the same "summary information" from other current free online newspapers.
It is anectdotal but most likely many NYT readers have the same reaction.
The 70-30% split is not the main issue.
In regard Conde Nast "Wired", I have browsed some of their contents, once in awhile, but it just does not appeal to me. The fees they charge per issue may even be unattractive to their most avid readers.
The reality is that the internet and other alternative mass media have impacted the business of news dissemination and consumption.Apple Ecosystems
It's not about what's 'best', it's about transitioning other media to digital. Audio and video have already made the switch almost entirely, print is on it's way.
What these corporations are missing is that it's not about making more money at all, it's about getting with the times and making use of the efficienties our new technology has brought us. Some industries are flat out going to die because they are no longer useful. i.e. Record labels...
Save the trees baby yeah!
zite and pulse are free
That's because the prices are terrible and non-competitive with the print versions. Also no access for print subscribers.