When the iPad launched last spring, The Economist was often mentioned among publications poised to strengthen their digital income streams by launching a paid app for mobile devices. Now the magazine has taken a first step in that direction—launching its quarterly magazine, Intelligent Life, as a free app exclusively for the iPad.
The fall issue of Intelligent Life has been available in the iTunes store since Sept. 30; The Economist announced the app Monday morning on its Facebook feed. The print magazine requires a $60-a-year subscription, but the current issue is free for iPad users thanks to a sponsorship deal with Credit Suisse bank.
Intelligent Life magazine is less news-oriented than The Economist, focusing on lifestyle and culture coverage. The app includes all content from the fall issue, as well as a sampler of features from previous issues of the magazine.
The app is available for iPads running iOS 3.2 or later.