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Sports Illustrated 120 SPORTS channel comes to Apple TV
Apple's little black box keeps gaining smarts. The Apple TV was updated today with a new channel: the Sports Illustrated 120 SPORTS network. The new channel also has an accompanying iOS app for viewing on the small screen. Sports Illustrated created the 120 SPORTS network last year as a way to stream major sports to fans, including NHL, MLB, NBA, NASCAR, and college leagues. The channel currently features in-game highlights from the recent past as well as replays from the leagues. While users of the 3nd-generation box are able to see 120 SPORTS, the update hasn't yet made it to the 2010-era 2nd-generation Apple TV. Just a few weeks ago, Apple TV gained another sports channel - Tennis Channel Everywhere. Unsurprisingly, that channel serves up on-demand tennis and live matches with an optional annual subscription. Other Apple TV sports channels include WatchESPN, UFC TV, MLB.TV, NFL Now, Red Bull TV, ACC Sports, WWE Network, MLS, MBA, NHL and Willow.
Apple begins marketing the iPhone 5s in magazines
MacRumors tips us off to the fact that Apple has begun advertising the iPhone 5s in various magazines. Up until recently, there hasn't been much advertising in the way of the iPhone 5s. Indeed, most iPhone advertising over the past few weeks has focused on the iPhone 5c with a series of really great and delightful commercials. Apple has also been advertising the iPhone 5c heavily via billboards in large cities like Chicago, San Francisco and New York. As for the 5s, MacRumors notes that the following ad appears on the back of this week's edition of The New Yorker. The tagline reads: Your finger is the password. Touch ID was created not only to protect all the important and personal information on your phone, but to be so easy to use, you'll actually use it. Its state-of-the-art technology learns your unique fingerprint, so you can unlock your phone or even authorize purchases with just a simple touch. Touch ID. Only on iPhone 5s. It stands to reason that with the holiday shopping season slowly creeping up on us, Apple will soon begin to ramp up its iPhone 5s marketing. This is admittedly nothing more than speculation, but perhaps Apple has been slow to roll out iPhone 5s ads because supply continues to remain strained across the country. After all, if you take a look at the fine print in the advert above, you'll note that it says "Limited Availability" -- though perhaps that's in specific reference to the gold model. Similar ads have reportedly been spotted in other high-circulation magazines such as Entertainment Weekly and Sports Illustrated.
TIME calls for Instagram pics as Sports Illustrated uses them in print
TIME magazine is looking for Instagram photos to showcase them in a piece on mobile technology. They're looking for a variety of images from daily life. To join the project, add the hashtag #TIMEwireless to Instagram submissions. Make sure you're not infringing on anyone's rights in the process. Instagram photos need to have a caption that include your name, where the image was taken, and a geotag of the location. Sports Illustrated performed the experiment as well, with the results hitting newsstands this week, Mashable reports. In its print piece, it commissioned a photographer to shoot photos with his iPhone 4S at baseball games and spring training sessions.
Time Inc. aims to please advertisers and your eyes, making all mags tablet-friendly by year's end
Do you love reading Time magazine on your tablet, but wish you had the same luxury with all of its related offerings? Oh boy, do we have fantastic news for you. As it stands, select Time Inc. publications are supported on the iPad, Android Marketplace, TouchPad, and Next Issue Media's store, but now the company has announced plans to make all 21 of its mags available on tablets by the year's end. Furthermore, support for the Nook Color will be added by the end of August with digital versions of Time, Sports Illustrated, People, and Fortune. Current subscribers to the print editions won't be left out either when it all rolls out, as they'll be able to opt-in for free upgrades with digital access. The decision is apparently tied to increasing "digital reach" for advertisers, but hey, ad-support isn't totally lame. Right? Full PR just past the break.
Time Inc., Apple to offer free iPad downloads to print magazine subscribers
After months of speculation, Time Inc. has finally inked a deal with Apple that will allow print magazine subscribers to access the company's iPad editions for free. Beginning this week, subscribers to print versions of Sports Illustrated, Fortune, and Time will be able to download the iPad counterparts at no cost, directly within the magazines' apps. Today's deal comes just a few months after the company struck a similar arrangement with HP, but iPad users, unlike TouchPad readers, still won't be able to purchase exclusively digital subscriptions to Time Inc.'s stable of publications. It's no secret that Time Inc. wants to incorporate digital subscriptions to its iPad model, but negotiations have hit some roadblocks, largely thanks to disputes over how Apple shares subscriber data. Publishers say they need that data to apply the TV Everywhere model to magazines, but Apple thinks subscriber information should only be shared on an opt-in basis. We don't really expect Apple to budge any time soon, but execs at Time Inc. seem optimistic, telling the Wall Street Journal that today's deal proves that the two parties are "moving closer" on the issue -- apparently not close enough, however, for Apple to comment.
Sports Illustrated 'Swimsuit in 3D' video now available on PlayStation Network, Qriocity
With the advent of the internet, the release of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue isn't quite the event it once was, but even an old dog can learn new tricks and the magazine has partnered with Sony to issue a 3D video version this year. It's currently available (also in 2D, if that's your preference) for download to your PlayStation 3 ($9.99 purchase / $4.99 rental, and there's a short free preview avialable as well) or other Sony network connected hardware with Qriocity. Other than the behind the scenes 3D video, there's also twelve hours of other Swimsuit issue content from this and previous years and some exclusive PSN themes.
Time inks deal with HP to bring magazine subscriptions to the TouchPad
Time Inc. has been trying to work out a deal on tablet magazine subscriptions for some time now, and it's just made a fairly big move in that direction with the help of HP. It confirmed at its "Think Beyond" event today that it has teamed up with the publisher to offer subscriptions to some of its magazines on the TouchPad when it launches this summer. That will apparently include Sports Illustrated, Time and People initially, with Fortune and other Time Inc. titles to follow further on down the road, according to AdWeek. Still no word on pricing, but HP promises they'll deliver an "immersive reading" experience. Update: Palm's Lisa Bewster has confirmed via Twitter that this deal also involves Time getting its big wish: subscribe to the print magazine and you'll get full access to the tablet version. For more on all of HP's webOS announcements today, click here!
Sports Illustrated: Cost-cutting has hindered iPad app
If you're a regular reader of the Sports Illustrated (SI) publication for the iPad, you may have noticed something unusual / different in the latest issue. The SI iPad edition is now only viewable in landscape mode, no longer supporting portrait mode as it did in previous issues. If you hold your iPad in landscape mode and then turn it to portrait mode the message, "This page is intended to be viewed in landscape mode. (There's nothing wrong with your iPad -- just turn it horizontally.)" appears. Guest editor of the SI iPad edition, Josh Quittner (Time Magazine), comments on this change in his personal blog. Quittner says that he believes the optimal viewing experience for photo-driven magazines, like SI, is in landscape mode. He also adds that by not editing in two formats (landscape and portrait) some innovative new features have been introduced, like "Super Loooooong View" - bringing a "reveal" effect to photos "akin to centerfold, or poster view." Quittner points out that another advantage of a single format issue is its reduced size. Coming in about 30% smaller than previous issues, SI can be downloaded in under a minute. But Quittner points out that download time isn't the only consideration, here. With other magazine publications reaching and even exceeding 500 megabytes, Quittner asks, "Who wants to store media that big on a 16 gigabyte device?" Finally, Quittner does admit that economy comes into play, too. He says that by implementing the landscape-only format their work load is reduced by at least a third. "Why not add more designers?" Quittner responds, "Well, if we were able to build a real business, with subscriptions that offered our iPad versions to readers at a reasonable price, that would be a no brainer. But we can't yet, so the best approach for us is to experiment with the format, marshal our (human) resources and start building products on other platforms that will allow us to scale up as our business grows." You may remember this video from way back in December of 2009 demonstrating Time Inc.'s vision for a tablet-based version of SI - prior to the announcement of the iPad. Back then, Time Inc. would have users download the SI app from the iTunes Store, but pay Time Inc. directly for further issues. Naturally, Apple didn't like this. Currently, Apple doesn't allow publishers to offer subscription based content on the iTunes store. But if rumors of the iNewsstand are to be believed, it's going to be pretty interesting to see how all this pans out. [Hat tip to AppleInsider]
Sports Illustrated subscription and Madden 11 bundled for $59
It appears Sports Illustrated's Madden 10 package was a success. Last year, the magazine offered a free copy of EA Sports' football game by ordering a subscription. This year, the magazine is repeating the offer, updating the deal with a free copy of Madden 11 (on the platform of your choice) and a "Making of Madden NFL" DVD. Considering the bundle is the same price as a standalone copy at retail, this is definitely a terrific value -- provided you can survive the "4-6 week" wait time for the game to arrive. Once again, we advise you to watch out for the auto-renewal option if you do take advantage of the offer. You'll have to cancel your subscription before it ends, or SI will charge you for another year when the time comes. See, sports video games aren't the only business with annual business plans.
Time Warner CEO hints at tying print, tablet magazine subscriptions together
We'd already heard that Time Warner was looking to offer magazine subscriptions on the iPad (and running into some difficulty doing so), and it now looks like it might have some even grander plans. As hinted at by Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes in an earnings call earlier today, the company is apparently looking at extending its TV Everywhere concept to magazines, which would give customers that subscribe to the print editions of Time, Sports Illustrated and other publications access to the digital version as well. Of course, Bewkes didn't offer any indication as to exactly when that might happen, but he did say that the "key to it all" is to give subscribers access to content "over all broadband devices as soon as possible," which is certainly promising.
Time, Inc., Apple at odds over App Store subscriptions
Remember this video demonstrating Time, Inc.'s vision for a tablet-based version of Sports Illustrated (SI)? It preceded the iPad's release and got many fans excited for the future. The real thing isn't quite so impressive, but the demo demonstrates the publisher's enthusiasm for the emerging platform. Unfortunately, that enthusiasm is turning into frustration. All Things Digital is reporting on Time's trouble with getting a mutually-agreed upon subscription model past Apple. Writing for All things D, Peter Kafka notes that Time wanted to launch a subscription-based version of SI on the App Store, only to have it rejected by Apple. Time would have users download the app from the store and then pay them directly for future issues. Apple didn't like the idea, and Time was forced to sell single copies of the magazine. Right now when you launch the app, you're presented with a number of issues that can be bought, in-app, one at a time. All of the magazines I've read on my iPad, like WIRED, Outside and Popular Science, use in-app purchases. We'll see what happens as this new union of publisher and distributor grows.
Time Inc. execs said to be frustrated over lack of iPad magazine subcriptions
Not interested in paying $4.99 for an issue of a magazine on your iPad? Well, Time Inc. execs don't seem to be too keen on the idea either. As Peter Kafka of All Things Digital reports, Time was planning to launch a subscription version of its Sports Illustrated iPad app last month in which you'd pay Time directly, but Apple apparently rejected the app at the last minute and left Time with no other choice than to sell issues one at a time for the usual $4.99. What's more, some Time Inc. execs have reportedly "been going nuts" over the situation, which is complicated even further by the fact that some companies like The Wall Street Journal do have a different arrangement for billing customers directly. As for Apple, it simply notes that it supports two platforms for publishers: the "open" HTML5, and the "curated" App Store, while Time insists that it will offer in-app subscriptions sometime "later this year."
Google to digitally distribute games through web-based app store
[Engadget] Former Joystiqer Ross Miller is currently on the ground for Engadget at Google's annual dev conference "I/O" in San Francisco, where the company just revealed its web-based app store for Chrome and Chrome OS. Aside from a handful of regular ol' apps and an interactive version of Sports Illustrated (paper? what's that?), Google debuted games for purchase, playable in-browser. Plants vs. Zombies and Lego Star Wars are explicitly mentioned in the piece, but we can also spot Bejeweled 2 (also by PopCap), as well as Poker Rivals, Scrabble, FIFA World Cup 2010, and Who Has the Biggest Brain? (all by EA) -- a LucasArts rep clarified for us that the version of Lego Star Wars seen is actually this already available online game. We're not sure how much the games will be going for or even exactly how it'll work just yet, but we'll let you know just as soon as we do (there's a bit more info on the FAQ page). The web store is set to go live for developers "soon," but hasn't been dated for the general public just yet.
WSJ: Apple and HarperCollins negotiating e-book deal for tablet
Here's the skinny from The Wall Street Journal: major publishing company HarperCollins is in talks with Apple about bringing e-books to the oft-rumored, still-unconfirmed tablet that's expected to be the focus of its January 27th event. The article also states that other publishing companies have been in talks with Cupertino HQ. That jibes with what we've heard through the grapevine, specifically with Time Inc. property Sports Illustrated, and fits comfortably well with the New York Times conjecture from earlier today. E-book readers are all the rage these days, but like we said just after CES, we'd wager the future of the medium integrated into slates to provide rich, color multimedia presentations. Seems someone might be sharing in our perspective, but of course, this is just one of many, many, many Apple rumors we expect to see in the buildup to next week.
Sports Illustrated subscription and Madden 10 bundled for only $49
This looks to be quite the deal for sports fans. Sports Illustrated is offering a free copy of Madden 10 (on the platform of your choice) with every paid subscription. In addition to getting to getting 28 issues of Sports Illustrated, the $49 bundle includes a documentary DVD, "The Road to Canton" and the aforementioned copy of Madden. The bundle is actually cheaper than buying a standalone copy of Madden 10 at retail! With the money saved, you can afford all those crazy DLC packs EA is pimping in this year's edition ... almost.If you do take advantage of the deal, make sure you watch out for the auto-renewal option. You'll have to cancel your subscription before it ends, or SI will charge you for another year when your subscription ends.[Thanks, Colin M.!]
Sports Illustrated's dop! SI Swimsuit Soundtrack Series MP3 player
Hold on, now Sports Illustrated is doing a line of MP3 players? We always figured that we'd bust out a gadget before a sports mag would, but it turns out that SI is coming out with three screenless players to accompany the launch of the first music-themed Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. The dop! player (which is sort of supposed to be a mirror image of "ipod") will retail for "under $20" (translation: $19.99) and come in three versions, each one pre-loaded with thirty tracks of music "inspired by the issue's lush and sexy photo spreads." All of the music on each player isn't exactly copy-protected; there's actually no way to get music on or off the player at all. The dop! is meant to be a self-contained package of player + content, sort of like those single title Playaway audiobooks that came out a couple of years ago (it's no coincidence that Findaway is responsible for manufacturing both). The notion of "one album, one player" is a little anachronistic (or maybe quaint) in the age of 80GB iPods, but these things are more like promotional items than replacements for your current player. Or at least not until someone hacks a USB port into one, that is.
Sports Illustrated, of all places? [Update 2]
Finally, an excuse to put a ravishingly beautiful, veritably naked woman on the front page of this blog. According to the newest issue of Sports Illustrated for Kids (we, uh, tried really hard to find an image of that magazine's cover, but alas, we failed), the Wii has a confirmed U.S. release date of November 6th.All right. We know. It's freaking Sports Illustrated for Kids. However, it's quite possible that they got away with marketing murder due to the absence of the professionally trained verbal ninjas Nintendo likes to throw at the major gaming media outlets. Even if this is mere speculation, I mean, come on. It's gotta come out somewhere around then, right?(Can't ... stop staring ...)[Update 1: Silly us, we meant the sixth of November, not the seventh. Thanks, trusty commenters.][Update 2: This article has been debunked by Nintendo. Alas!]
Screech in iTunes
It's "new content Tuesday" in the iTunes Music Store, and this week season 1 of Saved by the Bell [link] has been made available. Screech on your iPod...isn't that one of the signs of the apocalypse? Also added to the store's video offerings are the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit videos [link], some great, old Schoolhouse Rock clips [link] and a premiere episode of Comedy Central's Drawn Together [link]
iTunes to feature Sports Illustrated swimsuit videos
When I was a young lad, the month of February meant three things: the Westminster Kennel Club dog show would greatly damage my own dog's self esteem, I had to prepare for the coldest weather of the year, and it was time to figure out how I was going to sneak the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue into the house. You kids today have your iPods, which takes all of the fun out of this annual adventure. Sports Illustrated will offer 8 videos in the iTunes Music Store for $1.99US each, featuring videos from the shoots. The magazine hits newsstands tomorrow, which just happens to be "new content Tuesday" in the iTMS (and Valentine's Day), so check it out.[Via MacDailyNews]Update: TUAW reader Jordan notes that, when you buy a paper copy of the magazine's swimsuit issue, you'll find a code that will give you one free swimsuit video download from iTunes. Thanks, Jordan!
