By: Press Release | Columbia Daily Tribune
COLUMBIA, Mo. (April 2, 2012) - The Columbia Daily Tribune today launched an interactive web application designed to give iPad users a new way to engage in its premium local news, sports and entertainment.
The Tribune's Web App for iPad, available at
www.columbiatribune.com/webapp, takes advantage of the unique qualities of the world's most popular tablet computing device to bring the best of both print and online media together in a single platform.
"For our iPad edition, we replicated some elements that work really well in print, such as clean, uncluttered pages that flip instead of scroll and text in easy-to-read columns," said Andy Waters, the Tribune's general manager. "We also incorporated features once offered only in other forms of media, like breaking news, video, photo slideshows and comments. It's the perfect blend of a variety of media in one really compelling package."
Apple Inc. has sold more than 55 million iPads since introducing the device in 2010, and the company is expected to sell another 60 million iPads this year. One of the most popular activities on the device is reading news, which has prompted newspapers around the country to rethink how they deliver content online to take advantage of readers' affinity for the device.
The Tribune's approach is unique in that the app is built on the web using HTML5 techniques, so users don't have to go to the app store and download a computer program. Instead, readers access the app by visiting a website,
www.columtiatribune.com/webapp. It works on iPad, as well as desktop and laptop computers using modern browsers such as Chrome, Firefox and Safari.
The web app includes two apps in one: a news app with local news, sports, business, opinion, photo slideshows and blogs and a local features app called Columbia Life with arts and lifestyle content such as food, fashion, entertainment and events.
Unlimited access to the web app is part of the Tribune's Total Access subscription, which includes 7-day print home delivery and online access for $3.17 per week. Online-only subscribers will have free access to the web app for one month, after which they can upgrade their subscription to include the web app for a total of $3.69 per week. For non-subscribers, the web app will function the same way as the Tribune's full web and mobile subscription sites, which allow visitors 10 free views of premium content per month before they are asked to subscribe. Other content, such as national news, classified advertising and weather, is always free.
The Columbia Daily Tribune is largest professional news organization in Mid-Missouri and reaches an unparalleled 70 percent Boone County's adults through its print and online editions. With today's launch, the Tribune now customizes and delivers content for print, the web, mobile phones and now the iPad.
"Stories, photos, video, breaking news - they all come alive on our new web app in a way you have to see to believe," Waters said. "People who have used the site say they absolutely love reading the Tribune this way."
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