Economist to launch iPad, iPhone apps later this year

Rob O’Regan of EMedia Vitals reports that The Economist will launch iPhone and iPad applications later this year.

O’Regan writes, “The goal of the new apps is to replicate the magazine experience, while taking advantage of the devices’ unique features. ‘As closely as possible, we want it to feel like you’re reading The Economist in print,’ said Oscar Grut, the Economist Group’s managing director of digital editions.

“Grut believes the iPad and other e-readers like the Kindle offer an opportunity to replicate the lean-back experience of the print magazine.

“‘The strong message we’re seeing is that people are using these devices in a completely different way than they use desktops,’ he said. ‘We’re seeing increasing evidence of the enjoyment people derive from reading on these devices. For us it’s a complete departure from the old world of digital. It’s much more like print.’

“Which, of course, plays right into the type of analytical, long-form journalism The Economist offers.”