June 14, 2012: Fairfax Metro Media has today launched Version 2.0 of its multi-award winning SMH and The Age iPad* apps, loaded with new features and content designed to enhance the tablet experience for audiences and deliver more opportunities for advertisers.
The launch of Version 2.0 of the SMH and The Age apps for iPad marks the first major update of the online publications which were launched to critical acclaim in May 2011.
Users will enjoy dynamic new features in Version 2.0 of the apps, including:
– Weekday crosswords
– TV Guides
– Seamless experience of synching between Desktop and iPad for:
– My News: track topics and get alerts when stories match your interests
– My Comments: track your comments, replies to them, and read what others are saying
– My Clippings: clip a story, video or photo to read, watch or view later
– Newsstand presence
New content in the apps includes two of Fairfax Metro Media’s most popular monthly magazine titles, the(sydney)magazine and the(melbourne)magazine, along with news alerts.
“With this major update we are launching a seamless experience where users can login using their Fairfax membership and be able to view their comments, track topics and clippings across both desktop and iPad,” Mobile Director, Metro Mastheads, Rick Gleave said.
“The new version of the apps is part of our ongoing investment to ensure we provide the highest level of consumer experiences to our growing, loyal and engaged iPad audience,” he said.
The new features and content of the apps have been added following user feedback, and Fairfax expects to see a boost in app downloads. For advertisers, the addition of new sections increase available inventory and allow for more targeted ads.
“It’s fair to say that take-up of our original iPad app exceeded our wildest expectations. The new version will grow our user base further still and, from an advertiser point of view, takes audiences well beyond the point of critical mass,” Commercial Director, Ed Harrison, said.
Since they were launched more than 539,000* SMH and The Age apps for iPad have been downloaded.
They have been recognised with many awards, including Best News App of 2011 by the Australian Interactive Media Industry Association, and have been named among Apple’s top apps of all time.
The launch of the new apps is being supported by a consumer campaign across all Metro Media platforms.
“With the improvements and new features of our Masthead apps for iPad, it makes it easier than ever to get straight to the content you’re interested in,” SMH app Editor Stephen Hutcheon said.
The Age app Editor David Dick added: “Put simply, our iPad apps are the finest news apps available in Australia and we’re constantly looking at ways to give our users more.”
New users can download Version 2.0 of SMH and The Age apps for iPad from the App Store, while existing users can update their apps to receive the new version.
/Ends
*iPad is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.
*iPad app downloads to 30th April 2012
About Fairfax Media
Fairfax Media is Australasia’s leading media company with metropolitan, rural and regional publications and websites across Australia and New Zealand.
Fairfax Media publishes the highly respected metropolitan publications The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age along with, Australia’s leading online news websites smh.com.au, theage.com.au, Brisbanetimes.com.au and WAtoday.com.au. Other niche websites include the popular parenting website Essentialbaby.com.au and the youth site TheVine.com.au. The company has a large stable of successful websites in key vertical markets including New Zealand’s largest website, TradeMe.co.nz, RSVP.com.au, Stayz.com.au, InvestSmart.com.au, OMG, Australian Property Monitors, Commerce Australia, TenderLink and the recently acquired Occupancy. Fairfax Media also has a strong classified advertising business with print and online publications including: Drive, MyCareer, and Domain.
Media enquiries to:
Simon Lloyd
Access Public Relations
T: +61 2 9292 7003
M: 0424 470 923
E: simon@accesspr.com.au
Danielle Veldre
Access Public Relations
T: +61 2 9292 7009
M: 0408 972 997
E: danielle@accesspr.com.au
