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The Daily, Rupert Murdoch’s big-budget iPad newspaper app, is now available to US iPad owners — and it’s set to compete with Angry Birds.
News Corp’s Jon Miller described at the app’s launch how it has to compete with the smash-hit game and other fun apps. The publication features videos, 360-degree photographs — one of which crashed the app during the launch demo — and other interactive graphics. There’s also a very cool customisable sports section, so you can see information and news on your favourite team.
You can listen to top stories read out, and for some reason there’s one of those dreadful American anchors who presents video stories.
To navigate, there’s a cover flow-like
interface to swipe through stories. You can leave your own text and voice comments, and share on Facebook
and other social networks. You can also pull up Twitter feeds within the app.
The content will be available online too, where you can see the news for free. There are currently no plans to launch country-specific versions elsewhere.
Murdoch claims 15 million Americans will own tablets over the coming year. At today’s New York launch, Murdoch said The Daily will be “available on all major tablets” as well as the iPad.
Apple is heavily involved with The Daily, with senior Apple chap Eddy Cue joining Rupert Murdoch on stage at the launch, where Murdoch said Apple boss Steve Jobs has “single-handedly changed the world of technology”.
Apple has built a new payment system to allow users to subscribe, an endeavour that delayed The Daily’s launch. The subscription system will be available to other publications soon, but Cue was cagey about details.
The paper either 99 cents per week or $40 (£25) per year, billed automatically by Apple. The first two weeks are free. It’s only available in the US, but if you’re desperate to pay for news you can get free everywhere else, take a look at our guide to turning yourself American.
