Financial Times says iPad product is approaching 500,000 downloads
The Financial Times has reported that its new iPad app is nearing 500,000 downloads just six months after launch. It iPhone app, which was launched in 2009 had 600,000 downloads up until the end of last month.
The iPad App, which was initially launched in the US market had recorded 486,000 by the end of January 2011.
The paid-for app allows users to access content free for the first two months, but then they have to pay as part of a subscription package.
It is not clear what ratio of those downloads have now taken up subscription but nevertheless publishers will find the success encouraging.
FT chief executive John Ridding is on record as saying he considers tablets a “profound development for publishers.”
He was reported as saying: “At the FT, we have strong demand for our tablet applications and other mobile digital channels.
They enable us to reach a global audience cost effectively, with multimedia tools and services. And, because of our paid-for online model, they represent a viable alternative to newspaper sales."
News Corp and the New York Times are both organisations which agree. Earlier this week Murdoch launched the tablet newspaper The Daily, and the New York Times is expected to follow suit with news.me.