’Hundreds’ working to make Apple News+ best for magazines

By

Apple News+
News+ has become a big focus for Apple.
Photo: Apple

Apple has “hundreds” of people working to make Apple News+ the best place to read your favorite magazines.

The company has received lots of “great feedback” from many of its publishing partners, it revealed today. And some of them have special things planned for upcoming issues designed especially for Apple News+.

Apple News+ made its debut earlier this year. It gives iPhone, iPad, and Mac users the chance to read thousands of magazines for just $9.99 a month, and Apple continues working to make it even better.

In its most recent updates, iOS 12.3 and macOS 10.14.5, News+ subscribers have the ability to follow publications directly from the News+ catalog. New issues are automatically downloaded and readable offline.

But this is just the start.

News+ a big focus for Apple

News+ is hugely important to Apple — so much so that it has “hundreds of people” across different teams working to make it the best platform for magazines. Here’s what Eddy Cue, Apple’s SVP of Internet Software and Services, said about the service in a statement published today:

We’ve heard a lot of great feedback from the hundreds of publishers available in Apple News+. The latest updates to Apple News+ aim to best showcase their incredible journalism and put the most trusted news sources at readers’ fingertips.

Apple News+ customers are very engaged readers, with most visiting the News app daily. Hundreds of people at Apple, across editorial, engineering, marketing and design teams, are working to make Apple News+ the best experience for people who love reading their favorite titles and discovering new stories.”

Magazines like Vox, People, Harper’s Bazaar, and Popular Science have big things planned for upcoming News+ releases. Some of things just wouldn’t be possible on other platforms — and certainly aren’t possible in print.

What’s coming to News+

“The Highlight by Vox on Apple News+ is an opportunity for us to step back from the daily news cycle and focus on stories that are enduring, important and deeply enjoyable to read,” said Vox.

“We’ve launched new, magazine-style issues in Apple News+, and our most recent issue demonstrates the full range of our ambition with this new format.”

“Among the great joys of making this magazine is the opportunity to celebrate some truly special people,” said Harper’s Bazaar. “Apple News+ makes this special cover of Jennifer Aniston come to life and draws you in with movement.”

“Not only does Jennifer always look incredible, but she also radiates a unique kindness that instantly makes you want to be her friend.”

“For June, our annual summer food and entertaining issue, we had a lot of fun creating and shooting all these amazing sheet cake ideas — they’re delicious and perfect for barbecues, block parties, graduations, birthdays, you name it,” said Martha Stewart Living.

“So the idea of being able to show not just one of our ideas but several, thanks to a virtual newsstand, helps capture the expansiveness and joy of our content. Apple News+ offers a really exciting opportunity for us to bring our content to life in a fresh new way.”

People has a special royal issue planned to commemorate the birth of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s baby. News+ allows it to include “ beautiful visual photo album to celebrate this historic moment.”

Subscribe today to read it all

Find out more about what’s coming to News+ in Apple’s press release. To get your hands on it, you can subscribe to the service inside the Apple News app.

News+ is currently available in the U.S. and Canada, priced at $9.99 and $12.99 a month, respectively. The service will expand to the U.K. and Australia later this year.

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.