The mobile enterprise invasion has altered the ways we live.  With tablets around, the gravity of its effects radiates from our global workforce, students and casual daily use, such as reading and media-sharing.  This idea has spurred growth in developing apps for leading platforms, namely Android and iOS.  Now, the app that made magazine reading available for the small screen, Zinio 2.o has been updated for the iPad.

Zinio President and CEO Rich Maggiotto boasts major improvements that users should expect:

“Magazine readers expect and love high-quality, premium content – and Zinio’s 2.0 app for iPad goes far beyond today’s norm to deliver stories in a visually rich, immersive and interactive new way.

“Our new Explore section is a first, and creates the ability to browse and enjoy content you might never even knew existed from trusted editors around the globe. We’ve focused on satisfying the curiosity of our passionate readers, and delivering stories that personally matter to them, across all areas of interest.”

Upgraded features of Zinio 2.0 that will endear the iPad app include interface updates that make the visual and overall look richer and appealing, bookmarking capabilities, improved library storage and a handy management element, a convenient digital shopping experience via in-app iTunes purchasing, and in-Zinio shopping where readers can readily purchase apparel and goods from their favorite magazines.  The company has been exploring various areas for enhancements as competition grows at an incredible pace.

The in-app purchases for related magazine content is likely the most interesting of Zinio’s updates with this new version, as it seeks to incorporate more retail-oriented aspects of the publishing industry.  Magazines have always been important outlets for advertising, and even as I use the Zinio app, I wish there were easier ways to learn more about products I come across in ads and articles alike.

Zinio’s integration for in-app purchases will certainly be a feature to keep a close eye on, as its end-user experience will likely vary across iOS and Android devices.  Apple’s been particularly strict with its in-app allowances, giving Android an opportunity to lure in more brands seeking in-app options around their apps.  Fresh ways to market traditional print-media ads is seeing a particular rival thanks to the popularity of tablets, as Flipboard incorporates high-end magazine ads into its social news reader.

Zinio’s popularity has spread through the digital and mobile platforms by way of strong following and readership. It was included in the array of updates that Dell staged in their personal cloud media  hub recently.  Mid-July, the app expanded its services across all Android devices. For a long time, it was only available for tablets.  But Zinio’s hoping to do for digital publishing what companies like Netflix have done for online video streaming.  This means a dedication to developing various access points across as many connected devices as possible, as well as the incorporation of interaction points within the digital content itself.