PEOPLE magazine is now available for iPad. The application is free to download, but each issue is a $3.99 in-app purchase. However, if you are a subscriber to the print version of PEOPLE, you get the iPad version for free! Unfortunately, there is not a subscription model in place with the app. So subscribing to strictly the iPad version is not an option.

In addition to the content of the print version of PEOPLE, the iPad version offers even more:

• Double the number of Star Tracks pics, plus bonus, iPad-only, photo galleries throughout the issue
• Special celebrity videos
• Movie trailers, TV previews, song samples and other entertainment extras
• Instant breaking news updates on our top stories throughout the entire week

It’s great to see big media making a step in the right direction concerning digital distribution. I initially found it odd that PEOPLE magazine did not implement an in-app subscription model, but this decision was likely made because Apple gets a 30% cut from subscriptions. If I’m interested in a digital subscription to PEOPLE magazine, I can subscribe to the print version and get the iPad one for no extra charge. Meanwhile, PEOPLE is getting 100% of my sign-up fee instead of only 70%.

Is this a smart choice, though? PEOPLE would cut the cost of making and shipping prints if they had an iPad-only subscription available to customers. But would these savings balance out the 30% cut to Apple? Also, it’s much less convenient for me to sign up for the print version than just a quick tap for the iPad version. I likely may never actually sign up for the magazine even if I intended to. So PEOPLE magazine just lost me as a customer. How many potential customers are being lost by not having an iPad subscription available? These are all things that PEOPLE magazine and Time Inc need to take into serious consideration.

One exciting thing about PEOPLE magazine’s iPad release is that it’s a good sign that other Time Inc magazines will be hitting the app store soon. It is expected to see the rest of their apps in the next 30 days.

Any PEOPLE subscribers taking advantage of their free digital copy? I purchased the most recent issue and find the app to be very well made. Does availability on the iPad entice anyone to purchase a print subscription? Are you subscriber to a different Time Inc magazine and eagerly waiting the release of an iPad app? Lastly, what are your thoughts on their current business model? Are they making a good choice, or do they need to provided an in-app subscription to customers?

Sound off in the comments below!

[All Things Digital, PEOPLE Magazine - iTunes link]

PEOPLE Magazine for iPad available, free for print subscribers is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

We’ve been asking where the iPad competition has been for a while now, and it seems like it’s slowly starting to pick up with LG, Palm, and Google/Verizon hitting the news this week.

We’ll take a look at a few of them, after the break.

Palm, recently acquired by HP, is full steam ahead on a webOS tablet, which may just be the best OS from a UI standpoint to compete with iOS:

In their earnings call today, HP responded to a question about whether or not tablets (read: iPad) were hurting netbook sales. In reponse, HP publicly confirmed that a webOS Tablet is coming in the timeline we were expecting, saying they will release “a webOS-based product in Early 2011.” [PreCentral.net]

Verizon, who’s had great success with the Android-powered Droid smartphone brand looks to be turning towards Google’s other OS, Chrome, for their tablet (DroidPad?):

Yes, our source tells us that Google is building a Chrome OS tablet. It’s real, and it’s being built by HTC. No surprise there, since HTC churned out the Nexus One for Google.

Yes, they plan to offer it in conjunction with Verizon — which probably doesn’t come as a shock to anybody at this point. The two recently tag-teamed that Net Neutrality proposal and they’ve had plenty of discussions in the past about cooperating in some capacity. [Download Squad]

LG, who makes the terrific LED IPS panels for the current iPhone 4 and iPad, says they’re going to focus on content creation as a way to compete, and that their tablet will “be better than the iPad”:

The tablet will include content focused on creation such as writing documents, editing video and creating programs. It will also have “high-end features and new benefits,” many of which will focus on productivity, Mr. Ma said.

“It’s going to be surprisingly productive,” he said. [WSJ]

Think any of these will put a dent in iPad sales this holiday season?

LG, Verizon/Google, Palm preparing iPad competitors is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Forget those rumors about a 7-inch iPad coming sometime soon, it looks like Apple Retail Stores suddenly have a whopping 55-inch iPad in stock.

Well, on display is more like it. Similar to the giant iPhone 3G/3GS that used to dominate the windows, the new 55-inch iPad shows off all the photo, web, and other features available on the regular sized device.

The displays sit atop giant sized books, newspapers, and other assorted old media. They show how Apple is positioning the device as something decidedly for the mainstream, even if they do look a little out of place in the ultra-modern Apple Store.

Sadly, they wouldn’t sell it. Not even to a fanboy with creds like mine…

More pictures after the break.

55-inch iPads now at Apple Store is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

This week I am looking at the Case-Mate Hybrid Tough case for iPad. This is actually a good case considering its goal; solid protection while staying reasonably thin.

The case is unique in that it has two layers. The first layer is a silicone skin that covers the iPad and all of its buttons. It also covers the lip on top of the glass screen. The other layer is a hard plastic shell that snaps on place on the bottom of the iPad, on top of the silicone. The concept here is that it provides dust free protection while giving you a little cushion for bumps. The combination of the bottom shell and silicone protect the bottom and sides of iPad.

The only exposed areas (besides the glass, of course) are the speaker and 30-pin connector on the bottom and the rotation lock switch on the right side of iPad. There is minimal but reasonable thickness added to the device between the two layers, but I feel it is acceptable based on what the case is doing to protect your investment.

The only real issue I had with this case was removing it when I needed to attach an accessory like the dock or the keyboard dock. You have to remove it very carefully as the case is meant to fit very, very securely in order t prevent any lint build up. If you never have a need to attach iPad to these types of accessories, then there is no concern.

The Case-Mate Hybrid Tough case for iPad is what it says in the name; two layers of protective goodness and tough. It’s available now for $47.95 from the TiPb iPad accessory store.

Pros

• Solid protection
• Access to all ports
• Dust-proof protection of the iPad controls
• Two available colors- gray and lime green

Cons

• Can be a challenge to remove
• Does not fit in Apple Dock
• Top and bottom of case are still “loose”

Case-Mate Hybrid Tough Case for iPad – accessory review is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

The TiPb forums are naturally a great place to talk, commiserate, celebrate, get help, and offer advice to your fellow iPhone users. In order to create a new thread of your own or reply to any of the existing threads, you must be a registered member. Becoming a member is easy and free so if you haven't already head on over and register now!

• Discuss jailbreaking and/or unlocking any iOS device in the following forum: iPhone Jailbreak and Unlock forum.

• Discuss Apple’s revolutionary iPhone 2G, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod touch, including help, how-to, and next-generation news and rumors here: iPhone forum.

• Discuss cases, Bluetooth headsets, chargers, car kits, and all accessories for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch here: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch accessory forum.

• Discuss iPhone and iPod touch native App Store apps and games, and Web Apps. Share tips, tricks, and reviews here: iPhone Apps and Games forum.

• Discuss Apple’s latest creation, the iPad, including release news and feature rumors here: iPad forum.

See you in the forums!

TiPb forum overview – From the Forums is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

How is your iPhone 4 battery life under iOS 4.0.2? Since iPhone 4 launched we’ve gotten tons of email and tweets from readers surprised at just how much battery life they’re getting out of iPhone 4, but iOS 4.0.2 seems to have raised that bar (even if only slightly).

I know my iPhone 3GS would be in the red by early evening, yet even pushing around four times as many pixels with that huge Retina Display, iPhone 4 seems to just go and go. Especially impressive is stand by, where I’ve left it off the charger overnight only to wake up and find the battery levels had barely budged.

What’s your experience so far with iPhone 4 under iOS 4.0.2 battery life?

How is your iPhone 4 battery life under iOS 4.0.2? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

Optimus, Orange’s Portuguese brand, is getting set to release iPhone 4 but the price they want for a network-locked device will make it one of the most expensive places in the world to buy one:

• iPhone 4 16Gb Black – 679,90€
• iPhone 4 32Gb Black – 769,90€

That’s a 70€ price bump for those keeping score at home. If you’re in Portugal let us know if you plan to cough up that much cash, or if you have ideas for a cheaper way to get an iPhone 4.

[Optimus -- though the press release seems to be gone now. Thanks Carlos!]

iPhone 4 coming to Optimus Portugal — if you can afford it is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog

• Our podcast feed
• Download Directly
• Subscribe via iTunes

Verizon rumors explode, would you switch? Could the iPhone replace your wallet? Sony and Android teaming up to take on iOS. Apple reviewers making fart apps? And what’s the deal with iAds? Line up for your podcasts now, folks, this is iPhone live!

Credits

Thanks to the TiPb iPhone accessory store for sponsoring the podcast, and to everyone who showed up for the live chat!

Our music comes from the following sources:

• I Called You — iPhone Remix by Pete Leidy
via Sneakmove iPhone Ringtone Challenge

iPhone live podcast 113: Who reviews the reviewer? is a story by TiPb. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

TiPb - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Blog