Joining the roster of newspapers available in the App Store is the San Francisco Chronicle, which has released an iPad version of its publication as a free download. Like other recent publications that have joined the App Store, current subscribers get full access to content via the app, and new users can subscribe from right inside the app.
The Chronicle’s app blends old school and new technology, bringing articles and sections from the newspaper along with blogs from SFGate.com. And because we’re talking about an app, not a dead-tree publication, it gives the Chronicle the ability to deliver features like photo galleries—including 360-degree panoramic pictures—and up-to-date traffic and weather information that you can customize to your liking. The app also implements a carousel navigation system that’s reminiscent of The Daily, although it seems to be better implemented.
While the app gets updated throughout the day with breaking news on the global, national, and city scales, you’ll also be able to get access to an archive of the past seven days worth of content, so if you missed something from the previous day or the last Sunday paper, you can go back and pick it up. You can also set up the app to download content for offline viewing. However, it’s worth noting that certain parts of the paper—the crossword puzzle, for example—are not available in the iPad app.
You can try out the Chronicle’s app for free for 30 days; should you want to continue beyond that, you’ll need to purchase a subscription. Two options are offered through the app: a monthly subscription for $6 or a yearly subscription for $60. And, of course, as previously mentioned, current subscribers get full access right off the bat on up to five devices.
The San Francisco Chronicle for iPad app requires iOS 4.2 or later.