Ladies and gentleman of the general public, the iPad edition of Glamour’s June issue is about as close as it’s going to get to Olivia Wilde ever speaking personally to you – outside of daydreams that is. The magazine’s latest issue features an autoplay video cover straight from the actress’ mouth, an addition the publication claims is a first.
Ever-the-innovator in the iPad space, Glamour’s digital edition has transformed in less than a year from little more than a PDF version of its print self into a shopping outlet and reality show platform complete with how-to and stop-motion videos and style suggestions straight from the editors. Editor Cindi Leive said her goal for the iPad version of Glamour is to move past obvious features such as tap-and-play videos to include features that continue to “surprise and delight readers.” Safe to say a magazine cover that talks to you is surprising – and delightful to fans of Wilde.
The iPad app has recently featured a mini movie of the May issue’s three cover shoot stars – Ashley Greene, Emma Stone and Freida Pinto – as well as a virtual swimsuit makeover, shopping picks that can be purchased straight from the device, and interactive tools and videos. Also, earlier this year, the publication launched an iPad-exclusive reality show called “Glamour Girls.”
The talking cover comes as Glamour publisher Conde Nast made available digital subscriptions to the title as well as to Vanity Fair, Wired, Golf Digest, Allure, Self and GQ, following The New Yorker’s move to digital subscriptions over the iPad. These digital subscriptions are available for free to print subscribers and at a discount from previous prices for non-subscribers.
Now, wouldn’t it be both surprising and delightful if the iPad edition of these magazines could read and shop for you, while also dispatching your favorite celebrities straight to your living room for your personal entertainment? Well, at least an iPad user can dream.
