general / brain dump and next issue review

Image source: Next Issue app

I got an iPad mini a few months ago as a gift and LOVE it. I’m a big magazine reader and over the years, I haven’t managed to zero out my backlog of magazines (subscriptions are pretty cheap). I heard of Next Issue a while back — it’s the Netflix of magazines — and since I now have a decent tablet to use it on, activated a trial subscription right before a trip. I’ve been loving it so far. In some cases, it’s better than print magazines!

Pros:

• Usability and features. More magazines are going digital-friendly and have special features (e.g. Lucky). Also easy to click from a magazine to the internet.
• Save it for later. You can easily bookmark/save articles (save as image).
• Quick read. It’s easy to flip through a magazine to find an article for magazines you don’t regularly read. Here’s a list of all magazines on Next Issue.
• Back issues. For almost all of the magazines I’ve read so far, there are back issues available for you to catch up.
• Weightless. No paper to recycle or have to lug around! I usually bring a stack of mags with me on a flight and dump them along the way.
• Publisher spam. No individual subscriptions to manage (which leads to less snail mail spam…).
• Fresh off the press. When a magazine hits the newsstand, it hits Next Issue too — so I got to check out the John Legend/Chrissy Teigen feature in AD asap! (Too bad I didn’t know who she was last Feb when we were standing next to each other at JFK.)
• Versatility. You can share your account across 5 devices.

Cons:

• Content. I quit weekly gossip rags like US and People a long time and it’s too easy to indulge with Next Issue. (Need some self-control!)
• Cost. At $9.99/14.99, it’s not the cheapest. Weekly magazines are a part of the premium package. But, if you’re an airport newsstand buyer, or travel and don’t want to be saddled down by paper magazines, I think this is pretty worth it.

If you’re interested in checking Next Issue out, get a free 60 day premium trial through my referral link. For a limited time, you can also opt for a shorter trial and 2000 AA miles.

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Continuing on…

• I couldn’t resist the & Other Stories “grand finale” sale.
• A new Ines de la Fressange x Uniqlo collection is launching next Friday, Jan 16.
• 50% off Poketo stationery through Lucky Breaks. Ends 11am on Monday, Jan 12. They’ve got some interesting planners.
• Muji US’s online store finally carries teas and snacks!
• Dominique Ansel is opening up a new cronut-free bakery.
• Twin Sisters documentary by Independent Lens. A set of twin sisters who were separated at birth and raised in different parts of the world reunite.
• I like the new pointy Brigitte ballet flat by Repetto.
• The Muji right angle sock ad campaign is quintessential Japanese.
• Rifle Paper featured in Inc magazine.
• Kate Spade Saturday x West Elm. Those globe lamps.