Top Five Publications I Can’t Wait to See on the iPad

Steve Jobs’ announcement today that Apple will ship its long awaited tablet, the iPad, in 60 days at an opening price point of $499 dominated the news today. Before the announcement came, a months-long rumors game played out amongst analysts, technologists and fans alike. One particular question was: what does this mean for print publications?

With the news out, at least a few see the newly-unveiled iPad as a potential boon for newspapers and magazines because, unlike its chief rival as an e-reader, the Kindle, the iPad is said to deliver content in a way that more closely mirrors its print predecessor. And the fact that Jobs had New York Times Senior Vice President of Digital Operations, Martin Nisenholtz, demo the New York Times Web site on the iPad at the announcement suggests Apple will push the iPad as a way to experience magazines and newspapers (as oppose to, say, just a way to watch video, or e-mail, or perform any of the other myriad tasks the device enables.)

So that said, here’s my top 5 list of publications I can’t wait to test drive on the new device.

1. National Geographic
   This one is a bit of a no-brainer. The digital team over at NationalGeographic.com has done a great job on many fronts, digitally-speaking: integrating video, handling multimedia, fostering an active and participatory online community, etc. Seeing how that translates to the iPad will be interesting, to say the least.
2. ESPN the Magazine
   Alright, alright, this one is a little unfair. Due to its starting point as a cable channel, not to mention said cable channel’s absolute dominance of the 18 to 34-year-old male market, ESPN the Magazine is poised financially to leverage this device to the fullest, integrating video, stats updates and community involvement, and potentially deliver an amazing sports experience. As impressive as the SI demo released a few weeks back was, I’ve got my eye on how ESPN evolves.
3. JPG
   Much lesser known than the above two, JPG is a Web site turned magazine that relies on submissions for the majority of its content while attracting Nikon, Canon and the likes as advertisers. It’ll be interesting to see if/how the magazine evolves given the new distribution channel that the iPad presents.
4. Southern Living
   Although this venerable Southern book has experienced growing pains as it transitioned online under Time, Inc. ownership, it remains one of the largest, most successful home magazines in the country. One wrinkle the iPad presents: Southern Living long offered products featured in its magazine for sale through its Southern Living At Home division. Now the iPad may offer the ability click and purchase those highly sought after home wares. (Full disclosure: I interned there prior to moving to Nashville.)
5. Your Local Newspaper
   As a journalist by degree, I have to confess my naive optimism that the rumors may be true and your local newspaper will benefit from the iPad. Time will tell…

One Response to “Top Five Publications I Can’t Wait to See on the iPad”

1. Apple iPad Creates New Kinds of Storytelling says:

   April 21, 2010 at 8:50 am

   [...] I’ve already listed here a few publications I’d love to see on the iPad. [...]