Conde Nast updates iPad mags with Retina Display support
updated 06:50 am EDT, Mon March 26, 2012
Conde Nast rolls mag updates for the new iPad
Conde Nast has started issuing updates for its iPad magazines with support for the Retina Display on the new iPad, starting with the April issues. Magazines to get the updates so far include GQ and Wired. Prior to the update, users had been experiencing pixilation issues using Apple’s latest tablet, with its high-res 2048x1536 display showing up deficiencies in quality.
Other publishers that will be keen to follow Conde Nast’s lead include The New Yorker, Time, Sports Illustrated, Esquire, and O: The Oprah Magazine among others. Users of each of these publications have reported similar problems when viewing the digital versions on the Retina Display. The issue arises from the way some apps either render pages as HTML or an image (.png) file and the relative quality of these when viewed on the much sharper display.
The only app/magazine that was updated and ready for the release of the new iPad was Conde Nast’s Vogue. However, as with other apps that have been optimized to take advantage of Apple’s new halo display, there is a file size penalty. The editions enhanced for the new iPad come in at around 408 megabytes while the non-enhanced versions usually come in around 300 megabytes.
To help improve the quality of the publications, the primary pathway for publishers is to use PDF’s for their digital editions, however, they may switch back to HTML as standards improve. In the meantime, Electronista can report Conde Nast's publications now look as stunning as one would expect when viewed on the new iPad display. Text is razor sharp and photos look crisp.
