Specialist Media Show * Exhibition * Workshops * Conference * Intelligence * Networking * 24 May 2012 ThinkTank Birmingham

When Future created the iPad edition of Tap! they wanted to build a truly interactive, native app, so they created their own platform.  Tap! has grown to over 77,000 downloads, so this is clearly just what users want.  Tap! joins the 2012 Media Pioneer Awards shortlist.

Future’s Tap!: a new type of interactive magazine designed for the iPad

Most iPad magazines take one of two approaches: either they wrap a PDF in a container app, or they use a layout app on a Mac or PC that just spits out a folder full of JPEGs, flattening text to a grid of unsearchable, inaccessible pixels, and generating bloated issues that wouldn't even fit on an old CD-ROM.

When Future decided to make an app edition of Tap! The iPhone and iPad magazine, they built their own platform; FutureFolio.

Lightweight, video-packed, searchable text: a truly native app

Issues of Tap! are lightweight despite being packed with video (most of which streams into the app on demand), 360° spinnable photos, interactive features and much more – supported by friendly, authoritative writing that helps people find the best apps, games and kit for their iOS device.

This is because FutureFolio, the platform created by Future's in-house development team, is using technologies that are completely native to the iPad. Text, for example, is real live text that can be selected, copied and even made larger (or smaller) to help those with visual impairments. Indeed, because it's live text, the iPad's own VoiceOver technology can read it aloud. And since the text isn't just a grid of dumb pixels, you can search the entire issue and have the results filtered dynamically as you type.

A box filled with CSS-styled text takes up much less storage space in an issue than a panel of text rasterised to pixels – even before you start thinking about a Retina display iPad 3.

FutureFolio is so native that it itself runs on an iPad. Yes, each issue of Tap! is actually laid out and tested live on an iPad, or on Apple's iPad simulator running on a Mac. This is a true iOS app that takes advantage of iOS's unique features.

Tap! pushes the boundaries: and has achieved 77,000 downloads

The iPad edition of Tap! is constantly evolving. A strong editorial vision married to talented and enthusiastic UI designers and a passionate in-house development team that’s constantly adding new features to the platform means every issue of the magazine pushes the boundaries of what can be done. Some innovations are under the hood, some are flashy eye-candy, but all are evidence of a complete commitment to true iPad magazine apps, and all serve only to make the experience better for the reader. Future spend time working out how best to present information on an iPad (and soon, iPhone and iPod touch) in a way that makes sense on these new devices rather than just aping traditional magazine layouts.

The results speak for themselves: Since its introduction at the end of September 2011, the Tap! app has been downloaded more than 77,663 times.  And Tap! recently won "Best App" at the Sparkies,Bbath's first tech awards

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If you think your specialist media business could be a Media Pioneer, please contact carolyn@thespecialistmediashow.com for more details on how to enter.

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Hear more from Future's portfolio at the conference: Mike Goldsmith will be talking about their app strategy and Richard Walker will be sharing their moves into ecommerce in the craft market.

 

We are delighted to welcome Audience Media as sponsor of the 2012 Media Pioneer Awards.

Audience Media reflect the values of the Media Pioneer Awards. They provide an innovative and flexible web-based SaaS content management system that publishers can use to create, manage and publish content, advertising and subscriptions across print, web, mobile and tablet, social media and other platforms, and, amongst other capabilities, manage their digital assets and reader data across all channels. Audience Media’s solution is designed to suit the needs of niche publishers and  with low set-up fees (which includes development or redevelopment of the website and apps), it is available on an affordable and all inclusive monthly subscription fee, and can grow as the publishers’ business expands.

Audience Media will offer winners of the Media Pioneers Awards a free project build for one of their brands, which will include the design and build of the CMS, new website, native HTML5 iPad app and a free 3 months trial.

For more information, or to book a personalised online demo, contact cobus.heyl@audiencemedia.com