Apple News+

Apple News+ is a premium subscription service offering curated access to hundreds of magazines and leading newspapers. Launched by Apple Inc. in 2019, it integrates within the existing Apple News app, providing an ad-free reading experience with enhanced visual layouts. The service represents a significant expansion of the company's content ecosystem, competing directly with other digital news platforms.

Overview

The service builds upon the foundation of the free Apple News application, which aggregates content from a wide array of publishers like The Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times. It was announced at a special event held at Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. A key strategic partnership was formed with Texture, a digital magazine service previously owned by a consortium including Condé Nast and Rogers Communications, which Apple acquired to form the backbone of the magazine catalog. This move positioned the service against established rivals such as Google News and Flipboard.

Features and content

Subscribers gain unlimited access to a curated library of publications from major media conglomerates such as Hearst Communications, Meredith Corporation, and Time Inc.. Content spans numerous genres, including politics from The Economist, fashion from Vogue, and technology coverage from Wired. The service utilizes custom typography and adaptive layouts designed for devices like the iPhone and iPad Pro, offering a dynamic reading format known as Apple News Format. A personalized "For You" section, powered by algorithmic curation and human editors, recommends articles based on reading history and followed channels, while offline downloading is supported for many titles.

Availability and pricing

The service is available exclusively in several countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, with regional variations in available publications. It operates on a monthly subscription model, with pricing set by Apple Inc. and often bundled as part of the Apple One subscription portfolio. Family Sharing is supported, allowing up to six family members to share a single subscription across their personal Apple ID accounts. Access is provided through applications on operating systems including iOS 12 and later, macOS Mojave, and watchOS.

Reception and criticism

Initial reviews from outlets like The Verge and CNET praised the visual design and breadth of magazine content but noted limitations in newspaper coverage, particularly with partners like The Wall Street Journal. Criticism has focused on the revenue share model with publishers, concerns over the editorial influence of Apple Inc., and the lack of a web version for non-macOS computers. Some media analysts have questioned its impact on the broader digital publishing industry, comparing its approach to the Netflix model for periodicals. Despite this, it has been recognized with design awards and has secured millions of subscribers, contributing to the growth of Apple's Services segment.

History and development

The service's origins trace back to Apple's acquisition of the digital magazine platform Texture in 2018, which was integrated into the Apple News team led by executives like Eddy Cue. Its public unveiling occurred during a March 2019 event featuring appearances by Tim Cook and prominent editors from The New Yorker. Subsequent updates have added support for audio stories, local news coverage in partnership with regional outlets, and integration with Apple Podcasts. The service continues to evolve, with expansions into new markets and ongoing negotiations with global publishers like Bloomberg L.P. and The Washington Post to broaden its content offerings.

Category:Apple Inc. services Category:News websites Category:IOS software Category:2019 software