AJC unveils its iPad app at Apple store

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has launched an iPad app offering news and other content in a format designed to take advantage of the hot-selling tablet’s features and portability.

The app became available Sunday from the App Store at Apple’s website.

Following a free 30-day trial subscription, users can choose from three pay options: $2.99 a month as an add-on to any print subscription that is paid for using the EZ-Pay monthly credit card deduction; $9.99 a month for a stand-alone iPad app; and $14.99 a month for an iPad app plus a daily online e-edition newspaper replica of the AJC that can be viewed on any computer.

The AJC is among a small number of local newspapers to launch an app for the iPad. Some publishers believe apps tailored for tablets could provide a viable way to charge for online content that is now delivered mainly via free websites.

The AJC's app is designed to differ in look and tone from the company's website, ajc.com, with more emphasis on main stories from the day's printed newspaper and some content not available on the website. But it will also deliver real-time headlines and updates, and story selection will be updated periodically during the day.

The AJC said users of its iPad app will also get updates on traffic and weather, photo galleries and the ability to browse favorite sections and save or archive stories. The AJC will continue to offer ajc.com at no cost.

Earlier this year the AJC launched a free iPhone app called AJC Select, which is also viewable on the iPad. AJC Select will remain free but has less content than the subscription iPad app.

In addition to subscription revenue, the app will generate ad revenue. Four advertising sponsors are signed, and inventory is sold out for 2011.

Publications including The New York Times and Time magazine already have iPad apps, and News Corp. owner Rupert Murdoch has announced plans for a publication designed specifically for the device.

The AJC is the first of Cox Media Group’s four metro newspapers to launch an iPad app, with others expected to follow by the end of the year. Cox Media Group is a unit of Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises.

Nunzio “Mike” Lupo, senior director of digital products for the AJC, said the apps for Apple products are “just the beginning” as the company seeks readers — and revenue — across many platforms.

“We have at least one other subscriber digital product that we hope to introduce in the first quarter of 2011. And we’d like to be able to offer subscriber apps that will work on Android and other tablet devices,” Lupo said.