Apple, in a rare acquisition announcement:
Texture brings over 200 of the world’s best magazines to life, providing an easy way for users to read high-quality stories and entire issues of their favorite titles. With Texture, users enjoy the magazines they know and love, while discovering new content that fits their passions and interests.
“We’re excited Texture will join Apple, along with an impressive catalog of magazines from many of the world’s leading publishers,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “We are committed to quality journalism from trusted sources and allowing magazines to keep producing beautifully designed and engaging stories for users.”
I’m not a Texture subscriber, but I like the concept. A single $9.99/month subscription gives users access to their favorite publications. It’s like a mashup of Netflix and Apple’s now-defunct Newsstand.
Texture’s future is Apple News, it seems:
Cue confirms that Apple just acquired Texture for integration in Apple News. Weird for them to announce an acquisition. #SXSW pic.twitter.com/nBFjGKhzcc
— Lance Ulanoff (@LanceUlanoff) March 12, 2018
After the deal goes through, Apple will own all of Texture, which currently publishes not only an iOS app, but also Android, Amazon Kindle Fire and Windows. I assume at some point those apps may fade away as Apple News ingests the content currently offered by Texture.
This comes as tech companies are changing how they handle news sources. Facebook and Twitter are both continuing to make changes in the wake of the 2016 election, downplaying the role of news on their platforms. Apple is moving in the other direction, but Apple News (and now Texture) gives Apple the ability to publish news solely from trusted source, as Eddie Cue’s quote in the Apple PR article points out.
Whatever happens with Texture, it sure is an interesting acquisition. I look forward to seing what Apple does here.