Zinio has launched in New Zealand, giving Kiwis access to many of their favourite magazines on their computer screens. The software comes through thanks to the Australasian licence for Zinio, secured by PMP NZ Ltd, New Zealand's largest printing and media services group, as part of a joint venture.
Amid increasing demand for digital magazines, the unique Zinio technology meets the needs of both readers and publishers by offering a reading experience that closely replicates the actual reading of a magazine.
Zinio is designed for easy use as readers can flip pages and mark them just like a hard copy. Magazines are accessed through reader software known as the Zinio Reader, which is free to download. Publications are stored in a library on the user's hard drive so after the initial download there is no need to connect to the internet to read the publication.
The software is available for both Mac OS and Windows computers. .
PMP NZ says Zinio will not replace physical magazines, but rather will expand the market, in many cases adding a younger audience. The company expects to reach an audience made of tho 18-39 year-olds that spend some of their spare time on the Internet.
Zinio opens up a range of new possibilities for reader interactivity as it allows additional content above the printed versions, with video clips, audio and links to websites integrated seamlessly. Zinio also features a search function, enabling readers to search for a word or set of words within the magazine; and highlight and note features which allow pages to be marked.
Titles currently available in digital format through Zinio include: Netguide, Habitat, World In Sport, Go Build – Creative Ideas, Uncensored, Top Gear, Tone, Horse Trader, Pacific MotorYacht, Macguide, Brass, World and NZ Propeller; with further publications added all the time.
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