NewspaperDirect (ND) is very please to announce the launch of a brand new Windows 8 App Builder Program for our global newspaper and magazine publishing partners.

From now until the end of June 2013, ND’s publishing partners can apply to ND to help them fast-track their app development and publish their app into the global Windows (app) Store and showcase their content on all Windows 8-based tablets, laptops, ultrabooks, convertibles and desktops.

Publishers who participate in the NewspaperDirect’s App Builder Program for Windows 8 will receive:

• A Windows 8 branded, native application powered by PressReader’s award-winning technology
• Early-to-market opportunities in the Windows (app) Store
• Opportunities for promotions and feature placements

The ability to stream Ads-in-Apps via the Microsoft Advertising Network and other valued-added marketing opportunities.

The growth in the popularity of Windows 8 reflects the shift in how people want to experience content across devices,” said Shane Davies , Director, Cloud Services Providers & Top Consumer Brands of Microsoft Canada. “Brands are already starting to get up close and personal with audiences in real time, on a global scale.  NewspaperDirect, a leader in magazine and newspaper applications, and their Windows 8 app will provide a platform for publishers to reach and engage their audience in compelling ways, and will provide consumers with a range of quality, brand name applications.

This program demonstrates ND’s on-going commitment to build multi-platform solutions for its publishing partners, ensuring their content is available across all devices, including the latest Windows 8-based tablets, laptops, ultrabooks, convertibles and desktops.

We’re seeing a new era in mobile and desktop computing from Microsoft and I have little doubt that Windows 8 devices will take a significant share of the tablet market,” said Alex Kroogman , CEO of NewspaperDirect.  “We’re in the early phases of mass-market penetration, so now is the perfect time for our publishers to ride the wave of what is soon to be the ubiquitous technology in the hands of a growing channel of business users and consumers.

Early participants in the program include the award-winning Spanish digital newsstand, Kiosko y más, and 12 publications from Edda Media of Norway, such as Drammens Tidende, Fredriksstad Blad and Moss Avis.

Publishers can take part in the Windows 8 App Builder Program by contacting publishing@newspaperdirect.com.

Hi PressReader fans,

A friendly note advising you that effective immediately, the cost of the monthly PressReader subscription available through iTunes (Unlimited Personal Use Access) has been increased to USD $39.99. The change will only affect new subscribers – existing PressReader subscribers who registered through iTunes will continue being renewed at the rate of USD $33.99.

While subscribing to PressReader though iTunes may be a convenient option for some iPad and iPhone users, we would like to remind you that there’s an opportunity for you to save on your subscription if you register online via PressDisplay.com, PressReader’s companion website, where the very same subscription package is available monthly for USD $29.95.

Not only is the subscription less expensive than it is on iTunes, subscribers are afforded more flexibility in that they can read their favorite publications online at PressDisplay.com or authorize PressReader on up to 7 iOS, Android, BlackBerry or Windows operated tablets, smartphones or eReaders.

Register today at PressDisplay.com and start enjoying thousands of full-content newspapers and magazines from 100+ countries all in one app…on more devices, for less.

Cheers,

-Michael

The month of June saw 16 newspapers and magazines added to NewspaperDirect’s digital distribution network. Click below to check them out online via PressDisplay.com or download them onto your favorite tablet, smartphone or eReader using PressReader.

Magazines

• India | Business of Fashion
• India | Electronics Bazaar
• India | Images Retail
• India | India Business Journal
• India | Micetalk 
• India | Shoes & Accessories 
• USA | HiLuxury

Newspapers

• Canada | Ingersoll Times
• Canada | The Daily Star Weekend Edition
• Egypt | LoghetAlasr
• India | TravTalk – Middle East
• Mexico | Mas Por Mas
• South Africa | Isolezwe
• South Africa | Isolezwe Weekend
• USA | Cooperstown Crier
• USA | The Daily Star (Oneonta, NY) 

For a complete list of the titles available through NewspaperDirect’s publishing networks, please click here.

Happy reading!

-Michael

NewspaperDirect is very pleased to announce that it is set to provide current-day issues of local, national and international newspapers and magazines to the International Newsstand at the 2012 Summer Games in London, England.

Jones Yarrell Leadenhall (JYL), our local partner in London, will run the day-to-day newspaper production operations of the International Newsstand within the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) and Main Press Centre (MPC) complex for the duration of the Games.

Newspapers and magazines will also be distributed at the Athletes’ Village for delivery directly to team residences and lounge areas.

Publications will be provided in multiple formats including original-format offset printing and full-colour large-scale digital production. Additionally, onsite cut-sheet production will be available and will offer publishers from 96 countries the opportunity to provide same day content to readers during the Games.

Publishers who are interested in providing their newspapers to athletes, delegates and media should contact NewspaperDirect at: London2012(at)newspaperdirect(dot)com.

Cheers,

-Michael

The month of May saw 21 additional newspapers and magazines make their way to PressDisplay.com. Have a look at them online by clicking below or check them out on your favorite tablet, smartphone or eReader using PressReader.

Magazines

• Canada | CFSU Ottawa Directory 2012-2013
• Egypt | Nesf elDonia Special Supplement
• India | CRN
• India | InformationWeek
• India | NBM & CW
• Saudi Arabia | Ultratravel
• UAE | The National – Luxury
• UK | Irish Daily Mail – TVWeek
• UK | Irish Daily Mail – YOU

 Newspapers

• Australia | Brisbane Courier Mail – Boom
• Belarus | Zheleznodorozhnik Belorussii
• Finland | Abo Underrattelser
• Germany | Morgenpost Sachsen (Chemnitzer)
• Germany | Morgenpost Sachsen (Dresdner)
• Germany | Morgenpost Sachsen Sunday (Chemnitzer)
• Germany | Morgenpost Sachsen Sunday (Dresdner)
• Puerto Rico | El Nuevo Dia
• Qatar | Al-Sharq Baraha
• Qatar | Al-Sharq Cars
• Qatar | Al-Sharq Waseet
• Zambia | The Post (Zambia)

For a complete list of the titles available through NewspaperDirect’s publishing networks, please click here.

Enjoy!

-Michael

I’m pleased to let our iPad users know that we’ve listened to your comments, feedback and suggestions submitted on PressReader 3.1 and have answered the call with a brand new release of the application.

PressReader version 3.1.1 for iPad/iPhone is now available for download from the iTunes App Store and brings with it significant improvements in performance. To start, the addition of a brand new page turning algorithm will provide a much more enjoyable and fluid reading experience by allowing users to swipe to the next page of the publicatoin they’re reading prior to the previous page completing its rendering process.

While the improvement can be experienced on all iPad models, it is most noticeable on the iPad 3.  Users will now be able to enjoy the clarity of retina display with the performance they have come to expect from PressReader.

In addition to the new page turning algorithm, PressReader 3.1.1 has made improvements to its SmartFlow horizontal reading stream and overall stability.

We would love to hear what you think of the latest version. Please comment below or drop us a line at iphonesupport@newspaperdirect.com.

Cheers,

-Michael

After adding numerous enhancements aimed at optimizing its technology for the latest high-definition tablets, NewspaperDirect (ND) is witnessing an unprecedented demand from magazine publishers for its ePublishing solutions.

Publishers of all sizes and types of content worldwide are recognizing that ND’s years of investment in developing innovative technology, faster processing capabilities, and a superior user interface for newspapers is exactly what they need in order to offer a more compelling digital experience to their readers.  Today, within the 2,700+ publications ND has on its global distribution network, more than 250 of them are magazines.

Which is why ND is sponsoring FIPP’s Worldwide Media Marketplace event being held in London, England starting May 29, 2012.

If you’re interested in learning more about our multi-channel ePublishing solutions, please set up an appointment with Nikolay Malyrov, VP, Publishing and Legal Affairs or Johanie Marcoux, Director, Publishing at ND, drop by the Tuesday luncheon session sponsored by ND where Nikolay will be making opening remarks, or come by and chat with us at stand 40. We’re looking forward to meeting you!

The month of April saw 25 Newspapers and Magazines added to the PressDisplay.com catalogue. Check them out online by clicking their respective URLs below or by using the PressReader app on your favorite tablet, smartphone or eReader.

Magazines 

• India | Bike India
• India | Car India
• India | Commercial Vehicle
• India | Computer Active
• India | Electronics for you
• India | Facts for you
• India | Linux for you
• India | Mother & Baby
• India | The Ideal Home and Garden
• Russia | 9 Months 

Newspapers

• Belarus | Nedvigimost Belorussii
• NZ | Mid Canterbury Herald
• NZ | Waitaki Herald
• NZ | Waitaki Weekender
• Qatar | Al-Sharq Economy
• Qatar | Al-Sharq News
• Qatar | Al-Sharq Sports
• UK | Irish Daily Mail
• UK | Scottish Daily Mail
• UK | The Irish Mail on Sunday
• UK | The Scottish Mail on Sunday
• UK | The Scottish Mail on Sunday – Review
• USA | Daily Iowegian (Centerville, IA)
• USA | The Sentinel-Record
• USA | The Sentinel-Record – Hot Springs on the go!

For a complete list of the titles available through NewspaperDirect’s publishing networks, please click here.

Enjoy!

-Michael

We’re pleased to announce that Igor Smirnoff, NewspaperDirect’s Vice President, Digital, is a featured panelist at this year’s BlackBerry World, the largest annual gathering for the BlackBerry ecosystem. Igor will outline the business opportunities that RIM’s current and future products, including the upcoming BlackBerry 10 smartphone, represent for publishers.

Igor is participating in a media panel at BlackBerry World 2012: “Quality Profitable Opportunities for Publishing Partners on BlackBerry.” The panel discussions will cover several areas, including: development options, how to work with publishers, and providing a compelling user experience. NewspaperDirect has long been a supporter of the BlackBerry platform, and recently launched an updated version of its flagship news app for mobile devices, PressReader for BlackBerry® PlayBook™ OS 2.0.

Event/panel details:

• BlackBerry World 2012
• Media panel: Quality Profitable Opportunities for Publishing Partners on BlackBerry
• Wednesday, May 2, 2012, 9:00 a.m.
• Tampa Room

Igor has been with NewspaperDirect since 2003 and is a recognized expert in the formulation of effective cross-platform and multichannel strategies for leading publishers around the world and focuses on the development of the company’s newspaper and magazine publisher network, partnerships with mobile and tablet device manufacturers, as well as with major telecom operators and software companies. Today, working closely with 2,200 publishers in 96 countries, as well as many market partners, he is actively involved with the development of an industrywide strategy for migration of publishers’ printed business into the digital realm.

We’re delighted to announce that PressReader 4.0 has been released and is now available for download from Google Play!

With PressReader, readers can access over 2,100 full-content newspapers and magazines from 95 countries on their favorite Android smartphones and tablets. This latest release of the app provides users with the ability to zoom in on publications deeper, faster and clearer than ever before thanks to its new proprietary PDF rendering engine.

Subscribers will also have the ability to read entire publications using SmartFlow, PressReader’s attention-grabbing horizontal content presentation feature. It’s a new take on newspaper and magazine reading for Android users and one we would love to hear your opinions of so, please don’t hesitate to post your comments or feedback below .

PressReader 4.0 for Android is our biggest update ever. It debuts advanced rendering technology that, for the first time, brings fast, high-resolution imaging to the Android platform. Users love the incredibly crisp text and high-definition pictures, and our SmartEdition publishers now have a compelling and flexible Android platform to showcase their content,” said Alex Kroogman, CEO of NewspaperDirect. “Another great addition is our new SmartFlow technology, which takes the replica experience to a whole new level – enhancing it with intelligent and intuitive content presentation that compels subscribers to read more of their favorite publications.

Check out PressReader in action below:

PressReader 4.0 includes the following features:

• High-performance rendering
• SmartFlow advanced reading technology
• SmartZoom automatically positions the zoomed-in view to the beginning of an article
• Instant switching between Replica/Page View and SmartFlow viewing
• Share stories by email or on Facebook or Twitter
• Listen to articles through on-demand audio capabilities
• Copy and paste articles into applications that support it (e.g. Evernote, Instapaper)
• Share opinions by supporting or opposing a story
• Two-finger-pinch to adjust font and image sizes, and a choice of different font types
• Cross-title keyword search
• Desktop thumbnails of the most recently downloaded publications for instant access to the latest issues.
• Authorization of PressReader with a PressDisplay.com subscription

Enjoy the update and again, let us know what you think!

Cheers,

-Michael