'Wired Magazine' Leaps to Top of Paid iPad Apps Lists

[MacRumors]

Wired's new iPad app, launched just yesterday has already jumped to the top of two of the App Store's prominent "Top Charts" in the U.S.: Paid Apps and Top Grossing. Wired notes that it sold 24,000 copies of the application in its first 24 hours of availability.

It's difficult to put that number in context, because there aren't many iPad magazine apps yet, these being the earliest days of the new platform for which publishers have high hopes but little track record to parse.

But there is a bit. Business Insider earlier Thursday had estimated Wired's first-day run would be in the 3,000 range. Media sources tell Wired.com that the July app of Popular Science - an April 3 iPad launch partner - sold about 18,000 total. Wired magazine sells about 82,000 single copies on newsstands every month and has about 672,000 subscribers.

Wired was one of the first publications to thoroughly investigate how it might be able to bring its content to the iPad, months before the device was even introduced. The magazine and its publisher Condé Nast had to rework its initial plans, however, after Apple's prohibition against Flash on the iPhone was extended to the iPad.

Article Link: 'Wired Magazine' Leaps to Top of Paid iPad Apps Lists

 

[clayj]

Sorry, no. As much as I love Wired -- I own every single issue they've ever published -- I will not be paying $4.99 a month for a memory-sucking digital version of the mag when I get the hardcopy version for 83¢. And the whole "new app every month" thing is not wired -- it's tired.

Subscribers or newsstand buyers shouldn't have to pay more than $1 per digital issue (in addition to the cost they're already paying -- put a download code in each hardcopy issue, yeah?), and there should be ONE app that downloads new content each month (preferably with options to download the entire issue all at once or on demand as pages are read).

 

[ajones46]

Sorry, no. As much as I love Wired -- I own every single issue they've ever published -- I will not be paying $4.99 a month for a memory-sucking digital version of the mag when I get the hardcopy version for 83¢. And the whole "new app every month" thing is tired.

Subscribers or newsstand buyers shouldn't have to pay more than $1 per digital issue (in addition to the cost they're already paying -- put a download code in each hardcopy issue, yeah?), and there should be ONE app that downloads new content each month (preferably with options to download the entire issue all at once or on demand as pages are read).

Couldn't have put it better myself.

Download code would be sweet, just like they're doing with DVD's and Blu-Ray's now.

 

[quantum003]

Meh. I've received Wired for several years now and lately I've really found myself flipping through most the articles very quickly if not skipping them altogether... the magazine has become too fluffy for me I guess. I swear I stopped paying for it altogether some time ago but they still keep sending it.

 

[casik]

It seems like it's time for the magazine revolution to begin... I mean, I know I am more likely to subscribe to magazines that I can download. I don't believe there would be a separate app for each issue, but this app is probably just a funnel for all of the in-app magazines that you would buy. If they can include a cheap subscription (sub $20 a year) i might subscribe to a couple magazines... that's more than i subscribe to now. The only ones I get now are the junk magazines that get sent to me from companies - AMA, Kraft, etc.

 

[ddrueckhammer]

The magazine publishers are going to drag their feet but IMO they either all need to sign up with Zinio or make deals with Apple/Amazon/B&N to publish them in iBooks/Kindle/Nook. Also, they need yearly subscriptions of about $10-$20 for most magazines with some higher prices for niche publications.. They still can put in Ads and they can ask for your information when you subscribe if they want it.

Honestly, I don't know how much I care about video and other interactive content in magazines if it is just going to bloat the size and price of the magazine. There is plenty of video and interactive content on the web to stream free and I don't see magazine publishers building data farms for this purpose. Maybe Apple can for them when theirs is done?

I'm not even sure why publishers are bothering with the current offerings. Why bother if all they are doing is protecting the old business model?

 

[Ombatay]

Sorry, no. As much as I love Wired -- I own every single issue they've ever published -- I will not be paying $4.99 a month for a memory-sucking digital version of the mag when I get the hardcopy version for 83¢. And the whole "new app every month" thing is not wired -- it's tired.

Subscribers or newsstand buyers shouldn't have to pay more than $1 per digital issue (in addition to the cost they're already paying -- put a download code in each hardcopy issue, yeah?), and there should be ONE app that downloads new content each month (preferably with options to download the entire issue all at once or on demand as pages are read).

Agree agree agree. I love wired, and I'm a print subscriber. The novelty was something I was curious about, but couldn't bring myself to support the 50% of my yearly subscription price to buy one issue. The magazines come in plastic already, to put a nice card with a download code in each subscriber mag wouldn't be that hard, would it? and it would guarantee a renewal from myself.

Speaking of, this needs to start happening with hardcover books too. I love a nice real book when I'm at home, but lugging it around when I'm out, no thanks. Otherwise these e-books need to get a lot cheaper, fast.

The one thing that bothers me about Wired being the top paid app? Sends a message loud and clear to Conde Nast and everybody else that this whole business model works. At least enough for them to keep up this bs of expensive single issues without subs for a few more months until the novelty has worn off.

 

[SeattleMoose]

99 Cent/Month Is Tops I Would Pay For Any eMag

Pure profit for them even at that price.

$4.99???

Sorry, I don't subsidize out of control greed......

 

[Peace]

"And the whole "new app every month" thing is not wired -- it's tired.""

I'm sure they do it the same way Time and the WSJ does it. It's the same app but each month has a new edition in it's own folder.

But I do agree that $4.99 a month is way too much.

 

[rdowns]

But I do agree that $4.99 a month is way too much.

Considering I can subscribe for 10 bucks a year, it's way too much. They're reaching a premium advertisee and have no printing or shipping costs. They'll also have all the data collected by click thrus in the magazine which they don't get with print.

 

[JediZenMaster]

The price is a little high but IMO it's worth it. I like wired and judgding from the the ranking of wired mag on the Apps list, Other people like it too

 

[thecartoonguy]

I just went to the wired site, and noticed you can get a year of $12.00 But why in the world would they think charging so much per much is a great idea? Perhaps I'm out of some loop somewhere. Oh Wired what are you thinking?

 

[TheSlush]

This is the first step of what will make the iPad truly a must-have.

And the whole "new app every month" thing is not wired -- it's tired.

Yes it is. Which I why I've been so confused as to why Apple did not think through the distribution better... and introduce something like an auto-updating "iNewsstand" dedicated section of iTunes for magazine/newspaper content... kinda like they introduced iBookstore for e-books! What am I missing here??

 

[clayj]

Here's my wish list of what I'd like to see in the Wired iPad app:

• You download ONE free app which is your container for all things Wired. Maybe it includes a single digital issue so you can test it out.
• If you buy a subscription, they give you a code (included in the cost of the subscription) which you enter into the app which then entitles you to download each digital issue corresponding to the hardcopy issues you receive -- one year subscription = 12 digital issues.
• If you buy a single issue at the newsstand, they give you a code (again, included in the cost of the magazine) which you enter into the app which then entitles you to download the digital issue corresponding to THAT hardcopy issue.
• In the app, you should be provided a list of all available digital issues, and the means to download an entire issue all at once or to read it in "on demand" mode (content is downloaded when you attempt to access it). There should also be an option to delete existing content from your iPad, either an entire issue all at once or just selected articles.
• Digital content downloaded to your iPad should remain there for as long as you want -- digital issues do not expire.
• If you delete a digital issue from your iPad, you should be able to redownload it at a nominal cost (say, $1). After all, you are using their bandwidth.
• Digital issues should be available for download for a minimum of six months following the date of publication. If you want forever, either don't delete it from your iPad, or get the hardcopy magazine. But there's really no reason for them to ever stop serving up a particular issue of the magazine, unless the technology changes radically.
• We're already paying for the magazine. Don't add ads that aren't in the hardcopy magazine to the digital magazine.

Comments? Questions?

 

[Friscohoya]

They are still feeling this stuff out. Won't always be this expensive. Also I thought the whole selling point for digital was that it was better than print. It allowed them to do things that they can't do on paper. If that's the case just because you get the print version does not entitle you to the digital. It's a different product with different staff and additional production costs. Digital issues do need to get cheaper though. And working with existing print customers just makes good business sense.

 

[macduke]

They can't do a download code because Apple limits the free codes to 50. Apple needs to do something to fix that issue.

As for the auto-download subscription thing, that would be nice, but I thought I've heard that there are some limits on how much DLC can be loaded into apps? And at 500mb an issue, that could get filled up quick. Shoot, a 64gb iPad would get filled up pretty quick with only a few magazine subs like this loading every month. Maybe if there was an option to only keep the last few months loaded into memory, and maybe an archive feature that allows you to load stored, already purchased copies off iTunes or something.

Apple invented the slick App Store. You'd think they could come up with something better than this. Think Apple! Think Different!

Maybe OS 4.1/4.2 for iPad will have this feature? It is delayed until the fall you know.

 

[spydr]

It's seems to me they will figure out the sweetspot as the market matures a bit - right now they are clearly short sighted and greedy.

 

[rdowns]

The price is a little high but IMO it's worth it. I like wired and judgding from the the ranking of wired mag on the Apps list, Other people like it too

It's something new and people are trying it out. I'll bet it won't repeat this with the next issue.

 

[E.Lizardo]

Got it.
it's awesome.
Won't be buying it again at that price.

 

[Cleverboy]

I ONLY buy on the newstand, if I ever buy at all. The newstand AND the digital edition cost exactly the same price. I don't have a subscription. I will be buying the digital version again. I respectfully disagree with everyone in this thread and add that you bring up some valid points, but it is what it is. No one should be comparing a subscription price to a newstand price.

If you have a subscription, shouldn't you be able to get online access from free? How's WSJ do it? Are they successful? I'm sorry, but taking a code off the print mag to get a discount on the digital mag sounds treacherous unless you BAG the issue on the newstand. Sending a code (on a separate slip) in a bag with each delivered subscription copy is equally treacherous, but more doable. But, the digital version is a WHOLE SEPARATE production process that includes added materials and interactive content the print and online versions simply don't have. You PAY for that.

That's all. People need to recognize things cost money before they just go away.

~ CB

 

[11thIndian]

Just this once

I picked it up to see what it was like, but I don't think WIRED should have any allusions that everyone who bought this issue will buy the next one. Like me, most people probably bought this for interests sake. But there's no way I'll be filling up my iPad with 500mb of magazine at $4.99/mo.

 

[None Such]

Yes it is. Which I why I've been so confused as to why Apple did not think through the distribution better... and introduce something like an auto-updating "iNewsstand" dedicated section of iTunes for magazine/newspaper content... kinda like they introduced iBookstore for e-books! What am I missing here??

Exactly! That's what I would love to see. I would love to be able to integrate all my subscriptions The Economist, Wired etc into a format like that and have them delivered to my newstand or whatever instead of my mailbox. But all the seperate apps just kind of turn me off to the idea..

 

[ddrueckhammer]

I ONLY buy on the newstand, if I ever buy at all. The newstand AND the digital edition cost exactly the same price. I don't have a subscription. I will be buying the digital version again. I respectfully disagree with everyone in this thread and add that you bring up some valid points, but it is what it is. No one should be comparing a subscription price to a newstand price.

If you have a subscription, shouldn't you be able to get online access from free? How's WSJ do it? Are they successful? I'm sorry, but taking a code off the print mag to get a discount on the digital mag sounds treacherous unless you BAG the issue on the newstand. Sending a code (on a separate slip) in a bag with each delivered subscription copy is equally treacherous, but more doable. But, the digital version is a WHOLE SEPARATE production process that includes added materials and interactive content the print and online versions simply don't have. You PAY for that.

That's all. People need to recognize things cost money before they just go away.

~ CB

Good point. I think what I had in mind is an exact duplication of the print version for about $1-$2 a month. I don't want the extra content if it makes the apps huge or raises the price significantly.

I can see that they probably don't want to cannibalize their existing market but I'm still disappointed.

 

[shervieux]

Sorry I see Fail eventually

i think everyone is on the wow factor right now. but here is my problem:

1. 500mb for each subscription - takes up too much room and wasted space.
2. $4.99 for each subscription and must be downloaded as a separate app each time - give me a break.

Nope, it needs to work like other apps I have now.

1. Free or paid for as little as $10 /year.
2. links to the cloud - download current issue or back issues in your subscription year on demand.
3. Do not store each copy on my ipad - I only have 32gb, I do not need 2 subscriptions taking up 1 gb.
4. Better yet, store it in the cloud and stream it and let us download only certain pages, etc instead of the whole mag on demand if we want to keep certain articles.


Unlike reference books, most of the time when I look at a mag or news - I just skim it for the latest information, maybe I will rip out a page if I want to use it in research, cite a paragraph, or critique the author. Other than that I give it maybe a 5 minute look over and then toss most of it. Most are filled with too many ads and not enough articles to be worth the money anyway.

I did away with my field and stream subscription years ago. the company changed owners and they did away with many of the stuff most people liked the magazine for.

 

[Cleverboy]

i think everyone is on the wow factor right now.

All eyes on next month, eh?

1. 500mb for each subscription - takes up too much room and wasted space.

Meh. 500mb is nothing. Even on a 16GB device, you should be moving it off the device when you're eventually done with it. You can always download it again, so deleting it at anytime sounds effortless.

2. $4.99 for each subscription and must be downloaded as a separate app each time - give me a break.

Why do you say this? The app isn't called "Wired June 2010" is it? No, look at Conde Nast's GQ app. Additional issues are "In App Purchases", not separate applications. I know how you feel though. I get mortified when I complain about something based on information that is inaccurate.

Nope, it needs to work like other apps I have now.
1. Free or paid for as little as $10 /year.

Really. So, what other magazine apps with interactive content are you getting now for FREE or as little as $10 / year.

2. links to the cloud - download current issue or back issues in your subscription year on demand.

Mm. So, you're thinking the "In App Purchase" isn't "FREE" if you've already purchased it? This is important stuff to know. I'd like to know for sure what the deal is. People are getting confused.

3. Do not store each copy on my ipad - I only have 32gb, I do not need 2 subscriptions taking up 1 gb.

You don't have to keep them on your iPad. Really. But, I think I'd like the Marvel Comics approach (or the Comixology approach) of auto-deleting, free re-downloads and reserved space. They should improve their engine. But its new... they have some time.

4. Better yet, store it in the cloud and stream it and let us download only certain pages, etc instead of the whole mag on demand if we want to keep certain articles.

Yeah. I disagree. I want the whole thing. Immediately downloaded, and local on my device. I don't see a "partial" download mechanism working in almost ANY manner. I want to be able to be without a connection, and to read any part of the magazine any way I like. I don't want them "phoning home" with my reading statistics while I'm browsing the magazine. If the app stalls for any reason, I think its a mistake.

Unlike reference books, most of the time when I look at a mag or news - I just skim it for the latest information, maybe I will rip out a page if I want to use it in research, cite a paragraph, or critique the author. Other than that I give it maybe a 5 minute look over and then toss most of it. Most are filled with too many ads and not enough articles to be worth the money anyway.

For 5 minutes of interest, I submit that you're not a good candidate for buying magazines at all. Just browse them in the stores and leave. I do that sometimes. But, I also have a yearning to curl up with cool information and soak it in with multimedia highlights. Good stuff.

I was checking out Zinio. This is the interesting untold story here. I think SOME digital magazine people need to be using the Zinio service on the iPad... but Zinio's content is disappearing here and there and reappearing as standalone apps by the publisher. When there is no added value... I see a problem. But, this Wired app? NEEDS TO BE ENCOURAGED.

I LOVED the Toy Story article. I LOVED all of the video clips and interactive bits. I loved the rotating Iron Men, and the interactive Mars planet (though I wasn't too wild about the intuitiveness of the controls).

If this Wired digital mag was JUST a big PDF file... it would be a failure, but unlike other magazine, Wired thrives on media. I'd pay $4.99 per issue all day long. I always saw the full mag in the store for $4.99, and could never quite pass the threshold of justification. I'll keep this Wired mag around for a good while though. My 64GB iPad can handle having it, and I'm really into the subject matter. I wish this was retroactive. Maybe they can make their back catalog on NON-interactive magazines available for $1 each (future "past issues" could be $3.99 without a problem in my opinion.

~ CB