Smartphones and tablet devices fill many roles. They are productivity platforms, GPS navigation systems, gaming devices, and — more and more these days — a mobile magazine. In each of these major categories, the two giants of the tablet and smartphone world (Apple and Google) must fight for customers by providing the most user-friendly interface possible. Both companies have significant plans for the future of their magazine and newspaper reading features.
According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, Google has been in talks for a full system to compete with Apple’s iTunes store (which includes magazine and newspaper purchase options), while Apple is planning to revamp their store with a heaping handful of new features.
Inside sources who prefer to remain anonymous state that Google has an e-newsstand in progress, with the project being headed up by Stephanie Tilenius, Google’s VP of e-commerce. The current efforts seem to be centered around enlisting major companies, such as the Wall Street Journal, Time Warner, and the Hearst Corporation. Google has some titillating features to offer, at least if anything from the rumor mill is true. According to our anonymous sources, Google will be taking well less than Apple’s 30% cut when it comes to sales fees, will offer subscription features, and may be willing to share some user data with the publishing companies.
Android devices currently allow publishers to set up their own subscription systems through the marketplace, but Google hopes to create a standardized way for users to access this form of content — and bring in some new key players in the process by making distribution significantly easier.
In the meantime, Apple is addressing complaints of both users and publishers in its already established print-to-tablet publication medium. In the upcoming months, we can also expect to see the addition of subscription features and opt-in customer information sharing for publishers.
