Hi all - Apple is boasting about a new Popular Science Magazine that has a new magazine format for the iPad. I haven't downloaded yet - but thought I would share the link.

Apple - iPad - Apps for iPad - Popular Science+

I've read in one review of this app, that the content is nearly identical to what is on the Popular Science website. Of course with this format, you get to take it offline (for a subscription fee). However, I've not used the app either so I cant say for sure if this is the case.

As a subscriber, I'd be interested in hearing from someone who has used both this app and the web content.

The PS magazine app is interesting, but it is like buying the magazine one at a time at a bookstore. Until they make it a practical option, or have a combined paper/app at a reasonable price, I doubt its value.

$60 per year? hahahahaha! Not in your life. Same price as normal subscription, maybe.

Popular Science always has been an expensive mag subscription

I'm not surprised the Popular Science app is struggling. The publishers that own it seem to have completely missed the point of the opportunity the iPad offers them.

They could go two ways. The iPad (or any tablet) version has no printing or distribution costs (that is what the cover price usually covers - advertising covers the content), so they could offer the same content as the paper magazine for a much reduced price (compared to paper). Or they could offer something with more content for the same price.

Most publishers seem to be going the latter route because they think it will save/make them more money. The problem is, readers aren't stupid and know that if there's no paper involved things should be much cheaper, or at least there should be A LOT more content.

I suspect the magazines will get badly burned by online (yet again) because they will end up having to produce much more (and much better) content for the iPad version than they're expecting in order to get people to pay. And that will inevitably increase their costs more than their income.

There is a third way that would allow many of the biggest magazines to give their magazine's away for free and make enough money to produce spectacular online products. But it'll take them a while, and probably a ton of losses, before they work it out.

Pricing is exactly the point - and will be the criteria for the success of availlable magazines. For me it looks like magazines like Time, PS, etc. are thinking iPad is the holy grail to help them reach the holy land......

Boys, wake up!!!!

Nobody will pay $60 for an online subscription, if you can get the print subscription for $25......and it' also delivered to you mailbox.....


If I would get the online subscription for the same amount, I buy the hardcopy subscription, hell yes, I would subscribe. But not if I feel ripped off.....

Sad, sad, sad

I saw that! Thanks for the link.

Btw- whatever happened to WIRED magazines new version? Anyone know the scoop?

Originally Posted by CaptKirk

Popular Science always has been an expensive mag subscription

I pay $10 a year. If the app version were that price I'd consider it.

Well I eagerly downloaded the first issue this morning and spent a couple hours reading it and trying to navigate through the goofy interface.

Not very impressed, certainly with how the text vanishes and then you have to find it again. text also was over the pictures in the article which made it hard to read. Did not scroll through the pages very well. Was expected something more like the demo of the Sports Illustrated magazine with more pictures and more text. had very few advertisements which was disappointing as wanted to see some clips embedded etc..

Would not choose this way over a magazine at this time, I am sure it will improve so will keep watching.