The Offline app is a magazine with text and audio content centered around iOS. Because it offers two ways for people to take in the magazine’s content, it’s great for those who love to read or listen to audiobooks.
The magazine releases five new articles complete with audio each month, which means that its content is never stale. The app was designed and developed by people from Apple, The New York Times, Instagram, Audible and Blackberry.
The Offline app is free to download and the founders of the magazine have made the digital subscription available for 99¢ a month. As PSFK notes, supposedly this system is designed to help Offline pay its contributing writes "two to three times more than what most freelance writers earn per contribution," which also encourages writers to promote their work since wages will be based off of a percentage of the revenue the app generates.
Photo credit: iTunes
Duo-Sensory Magazine Apps
The Offline App Has New Monthly Content in Text and Audio Formats
Trend Themes
1. Duo-sensory Content Consumption - The popularity of apps that offer both text and audio content consumption highlights an opportunity for businesses to explore ways to enhance their digital media offerings.
2. Crowdsourcing Content Creation - By offering payment to freelance writers based on a percentage of revenue generated, the Offline app provides an innovative business model for crowdsourcing content creation.
3. Diversifying Team Expertise - The collaboration between individuals from Apple, The New York Times, Instagram, Audible and Blackberry to develop the Offline app underscores the benefits of diversifying team expertise to develop innovative solutions.
Industry Implications
1. Publishing - Publishing companies can benefit from offering duo-sensory content consumption options and experimenting with new payment models for writers.
2. Media and Entertainment - Media and entertainment companies can explore offering text and audio content options for magazines, books, and podcasts to keep up with changing consumer preferences.
3. Technology - Technology companies can collaborate cross-industry with publishing and media experts to develop innovative apps and platforms that offer consumers new ways to consume and create content.