Texture (app)

Texture (app)

Logo of the Texture app

Texture was a digital magazine app that provided users with access to a wide range of magazines for a monthly subscription fee. It was often referred to as the "Netflix of magazines" due to its all-you-can-read model. The app was available on various platforms, including iOS and Android, and offered a seamless reading experience with a vast library of popular magazines.

History

Texture was launched in 2010 by a consortium of major magazine publishers, including Condé Nast, Hearst Communications, Meredith Corporation, News Corp, and Time Inc.. The app was initially known as "Next Issue Media" before rebranding to Texture in 2015. The goal of the app was to provide a digital solution to the declining print magazine industry by offering a convenient and cost-effective way for readers to access their favorite publications.

In March 2018, Apple Inc. acquired Texture, integrating its technology and content into Apple's own services. This acquisition was part of Apple's strategy to expand its digital content offerings and enhance its Apple News platform.

Features

Texture offered a user-friendly interface that allowed subscribers to browse and read magazines on their devices. Key features included:

• Unlimited Access: Subscribers could read as many magazines as they wanted from a wide selection of titles.
• Offline Reading: Users could download magazines for offline reading, making it convenient for travel or areas with limited internet access.
• Personalized Recommendations: The app provided personalized magazine recommendations based on the user's reading habits and preferences.
• Back Issues: Subscribers had access to back issues of magazines, allowing them to explore past content.

Impact on the Magazine Industry

Texture played a significant role in the digital transformation of the magazine industry. By offering a subscription-based model, it provided publishers with a new revenue stream and helped them reach a broader audience. The app's success demonstrated the viability of digital magazine distribution and influenced other digital content platforms.

Transition to Apple News+

After acquiring Texture, Apple launched Apple News+ in March 2019, incorporating many of Texture's features and magazine offerings. Apple News+ expanded on Texture's model by integrating magazines with news articles from various publishers, creating a comprehensive digital newsstand.

Related pages

• Apple News
• Digital media
• Magazine
• Subscription business model