The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has launched a new digital subscription package that includes access to an updated iPad app and an E-edition.
Seven-day subscribers to the printed newspaper can get the Digital Combo, which includes the iPad app and the E-edition (an electronic edition of the newspaper viewable on any computer), included in their current subscription. For other customers, digital-only and digital-print subscriptions are available for $2.99 to $15.98 a month.
The new plan ends the introductory free access to the AJC's iPad app, which debuted last winter. Content and features have been improved based on reader feedback.
The latest iPad app includes a replica of that day’s printed newspaper plus seven past issues; late sports stories that may not appear in print, as well as stories not available at ajc.com; larger pictures; traffic and breaking news alerts; interactive links in articles; and video.
“We’re grateful for all the encouragement and feedback our readers have provided during this Beta period,” said Nunzio Michael Lupo, senior director for digital products. “Thanks to them, the latest version of the AJC for iPad has one of the most complete sets of features offered by any regional daily news organization. And we have more improvements on the drawing board.”
Pricing plans are:
-- Subscribers who get the printed paper fewer than 7 days a week can get the Digital Combo for an extra $2.99 a month.
-- New customers can buy the iPad app or the E-edition by themselves for $9.99 a month.
-- New customers can get the Digital Combo plus a home-delivered Sunday newspaper for $15.98 a month.
The plan is in keeping with efforts across the newspaper industry to offer subscribers digital subscriptions. Some news organizations are moving toward subscription access, or so-called “paywalls,” for websites as well. The AJC's website, ajc.com, remains free and is not affected by the iPad app plan. Nor is AJC Digest, the newspaper’s free app for iPhone and Android devices.
The newspaper will notify current iPad users to obtain a subscription before downloading the newest version, so their access will not be cut off. Content will continue to be sent to the old version during this period. On Nov. 22, content will only be furnished to the new version.
The AJC also will keep subscribers apprised of the change through various channels including Facebook, print and digital ads, emails, direct marketing and updates on the current iPad app. Subscriptions and information are available at ajcdelivers.com/combo.
