User:Sarahesterman/McSweeney's iOS App

McSweeney's iOS App is an iOS app available in the iTunes App Store. It is a universal binary app, meaning that the same version is available on the iPhone as is on the iPad and iPod Touch. As of January 18, 2011, Version 2.0 is available for $5.99. There are no current plans to release an Android version.

Features
The latest update of the McSweeney's iOS app includes support for iPad, Retina Display and multi-tasking, the ability to purchase full-length eBooks sized specifically for the user's screen, and capabilities for sharing Internet Tendency articles via Twitter, Facebook and email. Also featured are Push Notification sounds by Nick Thorburn and Mister Heavenly and synchronization across all iOS devices with the user's McSweeney's account. Note: Users will need to sign up for a free McSweeney's account online in order to have access to the app.

Authors, artists and other individuals that have been featured on the app include Judd Appatow, Spike Jonze, Chris Ware, Jonathan Ames, Maurice Sendak, Miranda July, James Franco, Nicholson Baker, among others.

Interface
The interface of Version 2.0 of the app is streamlined with five main sections of content. The Internet Tendency section pulls content from McSweeney’s Internet Tendency. Small Chair, which requires a $6 6-month subscription (the first six months is included in the price of the app), is updated weekly with a short story, interview, film, audio, a collection of photos or “something else.” Library, new in 2.0 is a collection of eBooks purchased from the McSweeney’s store. The “Store” section is an in-app store to purchase eBooks for the Library. And News, as the name suggests, includes the latest news updates from McSweeney’s.

Implications on Print Industry
Addressing the implications of the app and step into the eBook market, McSweeney's writes on the app's Website: "We are more committed than ever to books, paper, and exploring the possibilities and challenges of our physical objects...At the same time, we’re always looking for new ways to communicate with our readers. McSweeneys.net has been an important part of our operation from our very beginning, and this project is the next logical step. It’s fun to try things like this, and the iOS format provides opportunities for working with different types of media, especially in small chunks and with fast delivery."