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Apple Buys Texture, a Netflix for Magazines

'We are committed to quality journalism from trusted sources,' Apple says.

 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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Apple on Monday announced plans to acquire digital magazine subscription service Texture for an undisclosed sum.

Similar to Netflix or Hulu but for magazines, Texture gives you full digital access to more than 200 magazines for one monthly subscription fee.

"We're excited Texture will join Apple, along with an impressive catalog of magazines from many of the world's leading publishers," Apple's Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue said in a statement. "We are committed to quality journalism from trusted sources and allowing magazines to keep producing beautifully designed and engaging stories for users."

Texture was created by Next Issue Media, a startup formed by publishers Condé Nast, Hearst, Meredith, News Corp., Rogers Communications, and Time. The app launched in 2010 and is now available for iOS, Android devices, and Amazon Fire tablets. New users can get a 7-day free trial of Texture; after that it will set you back $9.99 a month.

Texture has been on Apple's radar for a while now. In 2016, Cupertino included Texture in its list of the best iOS apps of the year. In its acquisition announcement, Apple did not share any future plans for Texture.

Texture users can download issues for offline reading, create a digital library of their favorite articles and magazines, and get recommendations based on their interests. The app offers access to magazines like People, Time, GQ, Glamour, The New Yorker, Bon Appétit, Newsweek, ESPN, National Geographic, InStyle, Allrecipes, Shape, Men's Health, and, of course, PC Magazine.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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