Texture Shuts Down Following Launch of Apple News+

Wednesday May 29, 2019 8:03 AM PDT by Joe Rossignol
As expected, subscription-based magazine service Texture has shut down following the launch of Apple News+ in late March.


Apple acquired Texture last year to serve as the foundation of Apple News+ and later announced that Texture would cease working after May 28. On cue, the app no longer functions as of today and points users towards Apple News+.


Unfortunately, while Apple's notice in the Texture app says "don't worry, you can continue to read your favorite magazines" on Apple News+, the service is only available on the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac. Texture supported multiple platforms, including iOS, macOS, Android, and previously Windows.


Apple News+ costs $9.99 per month in the United States, the same price as Texture charged, and $12.99 per month in Canada.

Tags: Apple News Guide, Texture
18 comments


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cfurlin
12 weeks ago
I signed up for News+ yesterday to check it out and frankly, I do not see much value. I hope it improves and quickly.

There is a really small number of publications available, it's almost impossible to search for publications, publications you have viewed seem to sit side-by-side with those you follow. Overall, it feels like a great big mess.

I hated the old news app because I felt like I had had no control over what I saw and this new incarnation feels the same. I'm canceling my sub until they sort this thing out. Ugh.
Rating: 4 Votes
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GeoStructural
12 weeks ago
I seriously can’t think how someone subscribes to this thing. I hate subscriptions in general, but this is beyond unappealing...
Rating: 3 Votes
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EssentialGadget
12 weeks ago
We had Texture and loved it. Much easier to use than News+. Your favorite mags were at your fingertips and would download automatically.

News+ is poorly organized and hard to get the magazines you want at your fingertips. May have to drop it. Needs a lot of work.
Rating: 3 Votes
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Officeguy-334
9 weeks ago

I signed up for News+ yesterday to check it out and frankly, I do not see much value. I hope it improves and quickly.

There is a really small number of publications available, it's almost impossible to search for publications, publications you have viewed seem to sit side-by-side with those you follow. Overall, it feels like a great big mess.

I hated the old news app because I felt like I had had no control over what I saw and this new incarnation feels the same. I'm canceling my sub until they sort this thing out. Ugh.

[doublepost=1561177805][/doublepost]Overall mess is a great description of News +
Gone is the simplicity of choosing a magazine off the “digital” rack, the new apple news apps confusing layout makes it a scrambled mess. Cancelled my subscription, looks like an opportunity for a future magazine app more like texture.
Rating: 1 Votes
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skinned66
12 weeks ago
I used to pay $2 a month for the magazines I wanted with Next Issue through my cell provider. Then they went to Texture. Now this. Not a chance.
Rating: 1 Votes
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AxiomaticRubric
12 weeks ago
“With no respect to Apple News+, I am going to miss Texture, [...]”

Quote fixed.

I’m officially done with magazines now. Thanks Apple. :(
Rating: 1 Votes
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cfurlin
12 weeks ago

I don’t even have news + but I know you’re wrong. Click the news + tab at the bottom and you’ll be able to go directly into a source, search, browse etc.

That’s not searching, that’s browsing. There’s no search field anywhere.

I can choose a category and view the 5-10 available publications. Now that I think of it, why would anyone need to search when there’s hardly anything available?
[doublepost=1559151962][/doublepost]

I seriously can’t think how someone subscribes to this thing. I hate subscriptions in general, but this is beyond unappealing...

Free trial. ???
Rating: 1 Votes
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pkouame
12 weeks ago

The Mac app has a prominent Search field, and the Search field can be found under the "Following" tab on iOS. I agree that this is not the correct place for it. It should be available from the main screen right away, maybe with a pull-down action. Hiding it behind Following makes no sense to me.

It's done on purpose to force you to browse while looking for what you want...
Rating: 1 Votes
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tazhatewater
12 weeks ago
Unfortunately, it appears to be worse than just "do you want to sign up for yet another magazine reader. I was with the app when it started out as Zinio then to Next Issue then Texture. In each case, I was able to keep my downloaded magazines as promised by the app. I am going on a trip next week and find that now, not only can I not access my subscriptions but my downloaded magazines are inaccessible. Worse, I'm on a kindle and I have absolutely no intention of purchasing another $300+ tablet that I know will be obsolete in 18 months. As far as I'm concerned, Apple just stole the magazines I paid for. No way I'm even considering the trial, much less signing up.
Rating: 1 Votes
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ipedro
12 weeks ago

I seriously can’t think how someone subscribes to this thing. I hate subscriptions in general, but this is beyond unappealing...


People who like to read magazines?

I used to subscribe to GQ, PopSci, National Geographic and was looking at getting a Toronto Star subscription. For the price of 2 of these magazines, I get dozens of others that I’m also interested in. The Star’s subscription alone is $12/mo. Apple News+ is a fantastic value.

The app could use some work but they’ve already corrected some of the major quirks in a recent point update.
Rating: 1 Votes
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