3D Issue to launch iPad compatible version!
20 May 2010
The market is buzzing with the talk of the iPad and what it will do for the publishing industry. We picked one up last month to check it out and have to admit – we are hooked! The engagement experience with this device is phenomenal.
It has been well documented that the Apple iPad cannot run Flash which is the key technology behind most page-turning digital magazines. Version 3.5 will enable customers to convert pdf files into a digital format in its traditional format as well as a format that is readable across multiple platforms including, but not exclusively the iPad.
3D Issue’s version 3.5 will have a new feature that will automatically generate an iPad compatible digital publication. When a reader visits the digital edition, the 3D Issue system will determine if they are using an iPad and if so, the reader will be taken to a unique viewer that fits in perfectly to the iPads resolution. This viewer will of course retain other features of 3D Issue such as hotspot mapping, contents menus, printing, video and audio. The iPad compatibility part of the software will be done automatically so you will not have to do anything extra for this feature.
Apple’s iPad and other soon to be released devices will be serious competition to the laptop. While you wouldn’t use the iPad for work, it is the perfect device for consuming media such as movies, music, photos, news, web-surfing and magazines due to the sharp resolution, easy of use and the convenience factor.
APP v Web-based solution
We decided to design a web-based version rather than an App solution. To release an APP would require creating a unique application for each client, creating additional costs for our customers. Also the App route requires an approval process to get the app onto the Apple store – This can take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. A web based solution will allow our clients to have iPad compatible versions immediately and therefore publish new material in the fastest possible way.
When visiting the WEB 2.0 conference in San Francisco at the start of May we were able to take a look at some of the new touch screen tablets that will be hitting the market over the next 6 months and while Apple certainly has set the bar, some of these new devices will have a significant impact as they offer a number of software enhancement (most notably flash support) and hardware improvement over the iPad. So we decided on the web based solution because, moving forward, we want 3D Issue to cater to all devices.
When will the iPad compatible version be released?
Version 3.5 is scheduled for release end of August 2010 but if you can’t wait do not worry, customers purchasing the current version 3.4 between 17th May and the launch date of v3.5 will receive an upgrade to v3.5 upon its release – Free!
3D Issue customers have always been able to enjoy complete control of their publications by creating, hosting and owning the entire ‘digital edition’ production process. The Apple iPad has opened up an opportunity in the digital magazine and publishing industry; we want our customers to be able to benefit from this huge surge in popularity of digital content by making their digital editions iPad ready.
