iPad draws even with Nook in publisher interest

A new McPheters & Company study has shown that publishers are just as likely to publish tablet magazines through the Nook store and Zinio reader app as they do through the iPad. Apple's tablet was almost exactly as likely to have a magazine publisher support it as its two rivals, with 46 percent signing on and just a one point difference with Barnes & Noble and Zinio. The iPhone was also equal, showing that the smaller screen wasn't necessarily a deterrent.

No other platform outside of the web got close in publisher support. Android tablets outside of the Nook were closest, but at just 21 percent left many publishers skipping on non-optimized tablets. Amazon's Kindle platform was at just 11 percent, in part because it was still dependent on e-paper readers.

The cross-platform support may have shown problems with the attitude towards publishing, not a proof of success. Most magazine apps are "minimally enhanced PDF replicas" of the print editions, McPheters & Company said. Amazon's Kindle Fire and the iOS 5 Newsstand may have been compounding the situation by encouraging many quick and simple ports over ones optimized for the format.

Apple has carved out an early reputation as a destination for tablet magazines. Its higher device starting cost and its relative newcomer status in books may have given the Nook and generic apps like Zinio's a chance to take some users. [via mocoNews]

By Electronista Staff