The new app allows iPad users to read The Week’s witty, intelligent and objective editorial, while enjoying seamless automatic downloads of new issues via Newsstand (on iOS5), additional beautiful photography, and a host of sharing and readability features, says Dennis.
Each issue will be available to download in full on the morning of the magazine's publication, with content specially reformatted for the iPad. To bring stories to life and add impact, the iPad edition features additional photography, presented in full screen whenever the user chooses. In addition, the app allows readers to alter text size and a night reading mode for optimal readability. Readers can also share articles via email, copy text to other apps and utilise the iPad’s built in dictionary.
Dennis’ in-house specialist tablet and mobile unit, Dennis Media Factory, worked with two talented external firms to create the app. Brighton-based user experience design agency Clearleft used an iterative and research-focussed process to translate The Week’s unique print design into an elegant, digitally native structure. Recently formed software development team Kaldor Group built the app and content management system using Pugpig, their innovative HTML 5 publishing platform for iOS. The app blends the flexibility of HTML5 with the speed of native iOS technologies for rapid issue downloads and maximum readability.
The app launch is supported by three commercial partners: Rolex, Jaguar and American Express. As lead partner, Rolex sponsors an elegant integration of The Daily Briefing, a list of the day’s ten most important stories, sourced from the newly launched TheWeek.co.uk. This is only Rolex’s second venture into app sponsorship, after its successful work with the app for the renowned TED conferences.
Kerin O’Connor, the Chief Executive of The Week, comments: “I’m very confident in the work of our talented digital teams, and I’m sure that the iPad edition will be welcomed by readers and clients established and new. I’m also grateful to our lead partner, Rolex, and partners, Jaguar and American Express, for their advertising support in our launch period”.
Alex Watson, Head of App Development at Dennis, says: “It was critical that we created an app that was immediately recognisable as The Week and mirrored the same award-winning format and content as the magazine. I’m convinced that the app is intuitive, smart and a great way to read The Week”.
Issues of The Week will be available for free to App Store customers during the app’s first four weeks, courtesy of Rolex. Print subscribers will automatically gain complimentary access to the iPad edition for a 12 week trial period, after which they will be able to upgrade to a digital bundle for a nominal increment. New customers will be able to download individual issues of the magazine for £2.99 in iTunes, or buy an iTunes subscription for £24.99 per quarter.
