Apple announced in a press release today that it has officially signed an agreement to acquire digital magazine service Texture by by Next Issue Media LLC. Texture basically allows users to pay a flat monthly fee for an unlimited digital subscription to all their favorite magazines (that they can then access from the Texture app).
- Texture - Free with IAP - Download now
Texture was founded in 2010, and features upwards of 200 publications that you can peruse for $9.99 per month. It's basically like Netflix or Hulu, but for magazines, meaning that you not only get to read the ones you already know you like, but you may actually broaden your horizons a bit by virtually flipping through some you may have never checked out otherwise. Texture offers mags covering everything from entertainment to tech to interior design, featuring popular titles like Bon Appétit, National Geographic, Rolling Stone, Wired, and People.
Apple Senior VP of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue noted Apple's dedication to maintaining journalistic integrity amidst the acquisition in a statement:
We're excited Texture will join Apple, along with an impressive catalog of magazines from many of the world's leading publishers. We are committed to quality journalism from trusted sources and allowing magazines to keep producing beautifully designed and engaging stories for users.
Texture seems pretty stoked about the change as well — according to Next Issue Media's CEO John Loughlin, anyway:
I'm thrilled that Next Issue Media, and its award-winning Texture app, are being acquired by Apple. The Texture team and its current owners, Condé Nast, Hearst, Meredith, Rogers Media and KKR, could not be more pleased or excited with this development. We could not imagine a better home or future for the service.
As of right now, Apple is offering no word on the financial terms of the acquisition. And if you already use Texture and love it as is, don't worry — there won't be any changes for now, and you can keep using the app as you always have. If you'd like to try Texture for the first time, you can get a 14-day free trial by downloading the iOS app linked above or by downloading Amazon's version below.
Thoughts?
What do you think of Apple's acquisition of Texture? Share your opinion in the comments below!
