A mainstay of Arkansas journalism has entered a new era today.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette officially introduced its new ADG “Replica Paper” app. Through the app, subscribers can read a digital replica of the newspaper and also receive live news updates throughout the day.
The new app has several differences from the previous version. Now, users will be able to swipe left and right through recent replicas on their tablets. In addition to being able to scroll left and right, readers will also be able to swipe up to read a feed of articles.
Numerous buttons with different functionalities have been added to the app. The Home button, located on the left of the app, returns users to the top of the “Latest News” section, while the “My Library” button, located underneath the Home button, shows saved articles. A calendar button, located at the top right corner of the app directs readers to a page allowing them to select a digital replica, dating up to 60 days back.
The final button is the sections button, which allows readers to move directly to a section, such as business or politics.
The ADG tablets will be updating in coming weeks. As the devices update, the newspaper’s older Arkansas Online logo should change to a black-and-white Arkansas Democrat-Gazette logo.
The tablet program is part of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s strategy to reduce costs. In the past year, ADG Publisher Walter Hussman has invested roughly $12 million in iPads for ADG subscribers.
According to the Democrat-Gazette, for Hussman’s plan to succeed, 70 percent of print subscribers must be converted to digital.
READ MORE: From Daily to Digital: Walter Hussman