Zinio Magazine Reader

Zinio Magazine Reader Review

by on August 14, 2011

While most of the publishing world plays catch-up, there’s been a service that’s been around for quite some time now, which offers up digital versions of magazines for perusal on a tablet or computer.

It may have gotten in their first with ditching the paper for digits, however, but it has only just recently released an Android version of the app – for use on both mobile phones and tablets.

Zinio on Android is optimised for those devices using Android 2.2 and is a joy to use, though its browsing leaves a lot to be desired.

If you are new to Zinio, then you need to sign up to an account. This only takes a minute and once it is done you can start browsing. Well, that’s the theory but for some reason the only way we could get to a magazine was by searching it for title. The A-Z searching just wouldn’t play ball.

Once a magazine is found though, it is only a few clicks until you download it. And this is the beauty of Zinio – once you purchase one magazine, you can view it from wherever you want. Whether it be through the desktop reader, or on an iPad or Android tablet – there is a pay once, access from anywhere system. To access all your content, you just have to go to your library and download what you want to your desired device. A download on to your devices does take some time we found.

The viewing of a magazine through the app is slick, with Zinio optimising it well for a handheld device. The service even categorises the magazines which have extra content that’s only available on the Zinio version, which will give you some enhancements.

Be warned, though, unlike magazines specially made for the iPad, a Zinio magazine feels more like it is adapted. Most people won’t notice this and it works well given you can view them anywhere but it is a point to consider when buying a magazine through Zinio.

And there is the other slight niggle. Despite being in the digital domain, the magazines on Zinio cost around the same as a paper magazine.

These are only a few black marks on what is a very capable app.

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