1.31.2010

Martha to bring "Living" to i-Pad?

Martha mentioned it on Twitter in December - an urge to create a digital version of Martha Stewart Living magazine for download on the upcoming and highly-anticipated i-Pad. She mentioned it again last week on the Ask Martha radio show and elaborated on her desire to digitize the magazine. Steve Jobs, of Apple, has already sent Martha her i-Pad and I'm sure she's anxious to try it out!

Martha did not say that she intends to nix the published version of the magazine but she would very much like to make past issues of the magazine available for download. This would mean getting the first issue for a fraction of the $100 collector's price one now pays for the out-of-print debut issue of "Living" on eBay. It would also save time; no more hunting down that long-lost April issue from 1995. Just click 'download' and it's yours. Oh, and then there's the storage you'd save! I'm personally running out of space as I accummulate issue after issue. For Martha it would mean being able to capitalize on previously-released and out-of-print content by charging a small fee for each download. It might be nice to peruse past issues on a portable tablet. What do you think?

12 comments:

Brenda said...

I was just going through my magazine pile a few days ago to weed it out a bit, and I thought to myself that Living is the one that I would most like to have in digital form. I was thinking on a DVD or something, but the iPad would be even better.
I'd probably even buy an iPad just for the magazine!

ANDREW RITCHIE said...

I was thinking the same thing, Brenda! (Plus I could blog to my heart's content from anywhere in the world!)

Kenn said...

I would hope that Martha would make digital downloads more universal. iPad access is a bit pricey, as is the price for the pad itself (if you want enough memory for the pad to be useful), but digital versions of past issues would be GREAT! Not that I would ever part with my issue 1 - current!

julie - eab designs said...

Definitely sounds interesting! At one point I was considering purchasing a Kindle, but the iPad for me would be a better option. Didn't know the original issue was worth $100 - glad I kept mine (but wouldn't sell it.)

Anonymous said...

You also wouldn't have to worry about the bad colour reproductions on the cheap paper that they use now. Stories would be viewed how they were intended to be viewed.

Brian said...

I don't think the iPad is going to have a different apps store than the other devices (iPhone, iPod Touch) so hopefully the magazines that are now available to iPad like GQ will also be available to look at on iPod Touch and iPhone. I can't wait to read the first issues!

Anonymous said...

um, ABSOLUTELY.

JIm Eber said...

I saw something about an Ipad store coming soon.

Bill said...

There is nothing like paper in your hand..... sorry.

ANDREW RITCHIE said...

Bill, I agree. As long as MSLO doesn't stop the paper publication they can do what they like in terms of digital distribution...but leave us the pretty magazines too!

bill said...

excactly!! But... If we were able to get the first issue through some form of media, I still would print that up for my collection!

Anonymous said...

How very clever. Remember the Fiesta ware dinner plate collectors love the fact the red plates are rare -- why are they rare well this is not a thought on plates but she is getting her cake and eating t. Please remember the early magazines had far more content and less advertising more pictures of her homes which were rented out as sites for photo shoots. Has Martha ever met Bill Gates the guy that is helping those less fortunate. If there is a fast buck to be made I will wait and see I work to hard to throw it away on something like this my local library may go for it and then let me check out the digital version.