MAZ Launches New Platform That Reimagines Magazines For Mobile

Media technology company MAZ has announced a new publishing platform that enables publishers to create original mobile magazine designs instead of having to use restrictive PDF or InDesign layouts

Media technology company MAZ, launched a new app publishing platform called Phoenix that empowers publishers to move away from digital replica apps by reimagining their magazines for the mobile age. By transforming static magazines into truly native app experiences, without relying on antiquated PDF or InDesign layouts, Phoenix provides a modern user experience with no additional production required.

Phoenix was built from the ground up for today's mobile-first audience. Print publishers need to meet the growing expectations of their digital readers with well designed, flexible layouts that look perfect on any screen.Phoenix's "Auto Layout" optimizes articles for the particular device and screen orientation where it is being viewed. Publishers can also add in news feeds, video, ecommerce, podcasts, and other types of media to supplement their magazine issues. Phoenix emphasizes an ongoing flow of content, giving users a reason to check the app often with features like "Interactive Push Notifications" and "Save For Later" which syncs across devices. For instance, a user could save a video on their phone and then watch it later on TV.

Phoenix is compatible with all major web CMS solutions including Wordpress, Drupal, and Joomla and also offers a unique "PDF to Feed" conversion engine that transforms InDesign layouts into dynamic feeds. Phoenix supports in-app purchases, subscriptions, paywalls, and user authentication. It also includes advertising and sponsorship tools that can help grow mobile revenue.

"When we started MAZ in 2010, 'digital magazine' meant a big, fixed layout iPad app where the only thing you could do was flip the pages," said MAZ CEO, Paul Canetti. "Phoenix has been created from scratch for the mobile screen, here in 2016, looking to the years ahead. We believe this is what a digital magazine should look like today."

Source: MAZ release