Apple introduces Newsstand, a one-stop hub for newspapers, magazines

by David Silverberg

Apple will soon launch a new app called Newsstand, described as an “easy-to-organize bookshelf displaying the covers of all your newspaper and magazine subscriptions in one place.”

Users can select their favourite magazines and newspapers to be organized in Newsstand, including background downloads. As the press release states: “If subscribed to, new issues appear in the Newsstand and are updated automatically in the background so you always have the latest issue and the most recent cover art.”

It’s uncertain which publications will be made available and if Apple will only include English outlets.

Newsstand is part of the iOS 5 update due for launch in the fall.

Macgasm reports the publications will be displayed in a bookshelf view on the iPad, much like the iBooks display. “It works just like a folder on iOS, but instead of apps, you are presented with a beautiful bookshelf full of your favorite magazines and newspapers,” the author writes.

It seems like Newsstand will be in direct competition with the Zinio Newsstand app, which does what Apple’s app wants to do. Zinio offers thousands of magazines through its app, and is available not only via the App Store but also on other devices, such as Android smartphones.