GQ Magazine

 

 

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"Why in the world are they making us download an app to read a magazine?" is exactly what I asked. I wasn't sure what the answer was. Perhaps it was for spyware or tracking or a way to get around us going easily to our Amazon Kindle managing page to cancel our subscription... I wasn't sure. But I get it now (or at least I have my theory on the app).

The Kindle Fire (what I use) and other Android devices are a little bit longer in dimension than a magazine (more rectangular and closer in the dimensions of an 8x11 sheet). Whenever I read a magazine on my Kindle Fire, I have to use the zoom functions to read text pages like the intro editorial page. Then I have to pan around once I get the size I like it to be to read. BUT WITH THE APP, the magazine creators have lined up the text so nicely and legibly that I don't have to zoom and pan around an ill-fitting-for-my-Fire page. Instead, I just scroll down as if reading one long easy-to-read column. I love it. I really do.

Sure some pages like ads are in their normal dimensions and so I get a black long box above and below those images. But anything with text is fitted for my device and I simply scroll down to continue reading. This is easier on the reader, but for someone who works on page layouts for a magazine, it kinda makes their job a bit obsolete. They don't have to worry as much on the aestheics of a page (you still get that to a small degree, but it's a totally different setup than was done for the print magazine.

Overall, I love this app. GQ is a cool magazine, and I'm glad I don't have to pan and scan like I do with other magazine subs that I have (yes, I'm talking to you Guitar World and Details). If magazines want people to buy digital copies of their publication, then they all need to consider using apps. With the fire, I get to try digital GQ out until February. I had a subscription to GQ ages ago. It's a cool magazine but a heavy one which is mostly ads. With the Kindle Fire, it's light as a... um... Kindle Fire. I just may stay on and subscribe again.

I was able to load the November issue and liked it on the app but have not been able to load the December issue so basically it is useless until this issue is taken care of. So now that there have been many complaints about not being able to download December and January how about an answer, should I remove this app and forget about it ever working?

I have my paper and iPad copy. Just like last month, still not out on Kindle Fire. Delayed issues so far: December 2011, January 2012. Pretty bad considering app launched with November 2011.

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1.0 out of 5 stars Server issues make this inconsistent at best.
Downloaded old issues, but not January. I deleted the app and reinstalled and now there are no issues at all due to server issues. Read more

Published 1 day ago by Seth Rockafellow

4.0 out of 5 stars GQ Kindle Fire App
I don't normally write reviews for things on Amazon, but I REALLY enjoyed this magazine app. At first I didn't really like it because it didn't integrate into my "newsstand"... Read more

Published 4 days ago by TimH

2.0 out of 5 stars It's not exactly free
This app is free but you still need to have a subscription to GQ to get these digital magazines. People have complaint about not getting their December issue but I have no... Read more

Published 6 days ago by JT

1.0 out of 5 stars disliked that it was an app
I have this on my kindle fire. I like the magazine but hate the fact that it takes up app space instead of newstand space. I would keep my subscription if it wasn't an app.

Published 8 days ago by peter chavez

1.0 out of 5 stars Waste of time
Magazine size (~500 MB) is too large to be practical. Had difficulty downloading issues because the app would stop downloading items while I multi-tasked or left the Kindle alone... Read more

Published 8 days ago by lao-lao

1.0 out of 5 stars Dont bother until it is fixed
I was initially impressed with the application after downloading the November issue. However, the December issue came out several weeks late, and even after downloading it, I... Read more

Published 10 days ago by lawrence dunbar iii

2.0 out of 5 stars Late Issues
The way the magazine is presented is fantastic. It's. interactive and easy to read. However, I've had the January print issue for weeks, but it still isn't available on the app... Read more

Published 11 days ago by R. Liebherr

1.0 out of 5 stars Why do you need credit card info?
If this is a free download, why must I enter my credit card info and address? Doesn't "free" mean "without being charged?"

Published 11 days ago by FireNSoCal

1.0 out of 5 stars rubbish, dont bother
just downloaded it; took ages, kept crashing, and then when I finally "installed" the latest issue, it wouldn't open. deleting as we speak.

Published 11 days ago by Mika

3.0 out of 5 stars Great app magazine but needs better functionality
The magazine itself is amazing!! Great content and setup within the magazine. however, the magazine does not download automatically. Read more

Published 12 days ago by Tyler

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