11. Newsstand Kit

The last chapter of this book focuses on a new type of app available on iOS devices starting with iOS 5. Newsstand apps are designed to provide magazine, newspaper, and other subscription-based periodical content a unique platform and special place in the App Store. Starting with iOS 5, Newsstand apps are available in a special bookshelf folder on all iOS devices—sort of like a virtual magazine rack. When new content is available, these apps have the ability to automatically download the latest issue (in the background), post a badge indicating the number of new issues, and even change the app icon to reflect the new content. All of this is made possible with a new framework called Newsstand Kit.