‘The New York Times’ Launches HTML5 Web App for iPad, Avoids Apple’s Fees


News organizations have been at odds with Apple for the latter’s strict adhesion to privacy guidelines that allows users to keep certain information private. One of the ways news organizations make money is by selling your information to third parties for advertizing purposes. Apple doesn’t approve apps that glean this information without getting permission first. Another reason news organizations have had a tumultuous relationship with Apple is the 30 percent cut that the tech company takes off the top of each download and in-app purchase that is made.

In order to circumvent these restrictions, some organizations have opted to create an HTML5-friendly website that allows users to pin an icon right onto their devices’ home screen through Safari. The Financial Times saw great success with their HTML 5 optimized app last year and now the New York Times appears to be following a similar path.

The news organization today announced the launch of the NYTimes Web App. By visiting App.NYTimes.com from the iPad’s Safari browser, users can add a shortcut to the home screen that looks just like an app icon. The new website is optimized for mobile browsing and allows subscribers to easily access information from the New York Times.

In order to access the HTML5 app, users must be a subscriber to either NYTimes Web + Tablet or All Digital Access Pass. Subscribers can log in and access information in a variety of ways that the App Store app does not offer.

1. Trending: The Trending section lists the top 25 trending Times articles on Twitter from the past hour. This section functions in conjunction with Cascade, a proprietary data visualization tool developed by The Times Company’s Research & Development group, which monitors the sharing of content on Twitter.

2. Times Wire: A continuous, reverse chronological feed of the latest articles, videos and slide shows published on NYTimes.com.

3. Today’s Paper: In this reading format, users can browse the app like they would the newspaper, with sections organized under print topic headings.

4. All Sections: The full breadth of Times coverage, from breaking news, to video and photography.

“Our subscribers have told us they are interested in trying new ways of reading The Times across a variety of platforms,” said Denise Warren, senior vice president and chief advertising officer, The New York Times Media Group, and general manager, NYTimes.com. “We are working constantly to develop new products that distribute our content in innovative ways, and this Web-based app is just one example of that.”

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