The new Apps from Fairfax for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald are better than the News Limited Apps, much better in my view. Indeed, I rate it as the best Australian newspaper App at the moment.
I like the navigation. I also like the attention to photos and video (although there could be more of this) – this is a great way to show off the difference between the iPad platform and print. I had scanned the print edition yesterday before looking at the App and there is no doubt that the App was more enjoyable because of more consistent production quality.
The technology bells and whistles aside, the future of any news App will come down to the value perceived by the consumer. If Fairfax produces content which reports without fear of favour, which does not try and run political agendas itself (like Fairfax is currently doing with Vic. Police matters) and which leverages the flexibility and immediacy of the digital platform then I am far more likely to be drawn to it over print and over any App from a publisher not ticking these boxes.
I still rate the App from APN for The New Zealand Herald as my favorite newspaper App but The Age App is a close second.
I’d encourage all newsagents with an iPad to download the currently free App and play, check out the competition.
Will I pay for a subscription? Hmm, too early to say. However, I’d note that I do not currently pay for any newspaper or magazine Apps as I am not using my iPad for this type of content. The only content I am purchasing is music and books.
On the Apps more generally, I wish they would use digital media to grow their audience than using the already challenged print medium.
Why does Fairfax still print a broadsheet paper.If they are game enough for the ipad why not try for a smaller paper as well.