Newsquest newspapers launch Kindle Fire apps

Newsquest this week announced the launch of Kindle Fire apps for 10 of its newspaper titles, as the publisher tests out demand on the platform.

In a release Newsquest said digital editions of titles including daily newspapers such as The Herald in Glasgow, the Northern Echo in Darlington, the Argus in Brighton and the South Wales Argus in Newport, and weekly titles such as the Somerset County Gazette, the Watford Observer and the Bucks Free Press, will be available for download on the Kindle Fire and the Fire HD.

Managing director of Newsquest Digital Media Roger Green said in the release that the launch of the Kindle Fire apps follow its "success with iPhone and iPad newspaper apps".

As with the iPhone and iPad newspaper apps, launched in March, the Kindle Fire apps are replica editions produced in partnership with PageSuite.

"Launching this soon after the Fire's UK debut ensures that readers can enjoy our titles on the new Amazon devices from the word go, and so generate good subscription and advertising interest during the Christmas season," Green added.

Speaking to Journalism.co.uk Green said the publisher is starting with 10 of its larger newspapers "to find out how much demand there is for it". By being on the platform as soon as possible Newsquest hopes to "find out if that resonates with a potential audience".

According to the release "subscription costs for Newsquest’s Kindle Fire apps follow existing price plans for the group’s iPad and iPhone apps, which include a mixture of free and paid-for packages, starting from £4.99 per month".

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