[cletis]

this is so stupid...i subscribe to playboy physically but would like it on my playbook...now from what i gather I'm being told that I'm 13 even though I'm an adult and can't look at anything intended for adults on my playbook...what is that about!! Just use the blackberry id's age to determine what they could view or have some kind of passcode that blocks all adult material...so stupid!

I disagree. Assuming that it turns out that Zinio has it wrong, and RIM's content policy is indeed to prohibit only sexually explicit material as they say it is, they have plenty of justification/reason to do so. You need to think about this from the larger perspective of the actual systems in place, and not just your individual, legitimate ownership of a Playboy subscription. RIM's content policy was not dreamed up to apply solely to Zinio, but to prevent the proliferation of porn apps in App World. Contrary to your suggestion, the age you claim you are when you create your BB ID is not a verifiable authenticator of your age, since nothing prevents you from lying. (I'm just assuming that you are correct in implying that there even is a DOB associate with a BB ID.) Of course RIM's interest here is in protecting itself against lawsuits not just from parents angry that RIM enabled their innocent angel child access to porn, but even federal porn trafficking violations. And of course such laws vary from country to country, State to State, and even municipality to municipality -- which is compounded even more when you consider that RIM might end up being accused of delivering porn across State or international borders. Add to this the fact that Apple already has in place a similar ban on porn, which establishes a market practice, and RIM really has no choice but to implement a reasonable content restriction policy.

What you also have to understand is that RIM applies restrictions at the app level, not at the magazine-contained-within-an-app level, so Zinio had to rate itself with one blanket rating. Again the rating system rates an app, not segments of content (separate magazines) within the app. So in the end, the fact that you honestly own the content that is being blocked is unhappy collateral damage.

Again, this is all based on the assumption that RIM's content policy will turn out to be based on sexually explicit material, and not on PG-13 content as the Zinio CSR stated. IF RIM really is blocking content that tame, then there's no established practice or law which supports it, and they're opening themselves to increased customer dissatisfaction at the very least.

[miata]

I wonder if there is a way to support TWO bars and have one show for kids whose parents activated the ratings lock in appworld, and the other to show for everyone else. Like a Zinio FULL and Zinio teen

This sounds like the only reasonable solution to me.

[cletis]

I emailed Zinio with Alec Saunders reply and suggested they contact RIM about the issue as both seem to have different understandings about the issue. I just got this reply:

"Hello MJ,

Thanks for your response, we just got word that RIM is and Zinio execs are meeting in NYC later today to work out the issue. We were told something different when submitting the app several weeks ago, but were contacted yesterday by RIM after the outcry from many Playbook users over this nonsensical restriction.

That being said at the current time, the official word is still that content that is rated PG-13 or higher in our library cannot appear on the device. As soon as that changes and we are told by RIM our app will not be removed from App World for allowing this content, it will appear on your device.

Kind Regards,

Zinio Customer Support
888 946 4666"

Hopefully this will bring about a good result for users.

MJ

This is encouraging; thanks for your effort.

[DaedalusIcarusHelios]

RIM needs to have a rating or warning that indicates that content can vary between G and Mature. Or perhaps this could simply be "unrated", since the content varies. I can't imagine too many children purchasing magazines themselves, so it would likely be a parent that purchases content for them.

RIM already has content settings in App World to restrict what is visible. I think RIM should have a similar setting in the device settings, so that if you wanted to, you could hide or lock down apps entirely from access (put a little lock icon overlay on the shortcut). Or, for things like Zinio where content varies, you could have the app be able to take advantage of reading that system setting to adjust what is visible in-app. This could be extended to things like adjusting gore settings in a game.

[kyleheney]

I'm new to Zinio... I wanted to try it out with a free magazine, so I downloaded one from their website to my account (couldn't find any free content through the app). I figured the app would be able to sync with the online account, but doesn't seem to be working. Am I missing something?

Also, was that $25 credit a pipedream? I filled out my info in that link that was previously posted... not sure how to access Account Info in the app... seems unfinished and lacks these pretty basic consumer features. I'm holding off on buying anything until I know if I'm getting $25 towards stuff!

[irishstew]

One last message before I leave the office for the night... Just got this from Alec Saunders.

"@IrishMJ we are already. it will get resolved. stay tuned."

I'm impressed that they have listened to users.

MJ

[Matador]

I didn't receive a $25 credit. I received an email stating that if I spend $10 I will get $10 to use later.

????????

[cogsinister]

They sure seem to have messed up the credit thing, first it was $25, i got an email saying $5, some have to spend 10 to get 10.

What on earth IS going on ?

[ody360]

When Zinio was first preview at the CES, that's when I looked into signing up, and at the time I was emailed a code for the $25! But, I wanted to wait until it was available for the PlayBook... Found out yesterday that my $25 coupon had expired Bummmmmer (I didn't read through the whole offer)

[djenkins6]

I imagine someone in Zinio marketing... "Hey this guy just downloaded the Playbook app, let's send him a deal about the iPhone, I'm sure he'll be interested in that!"

Just received the email Deal of the Day: 24 Hours only!
(zinio.com exclusive, starts 3/21, 12p EST / ends 3/22, 11:59a EST)
Get the current issue of iPhone Life today and save an extra 50% when signing up for this single issue continuous service offer.
(discount reflected in offer; orig: $7.99 USD)

[offthahorseceo]

just got a twitter DM from zinio CS that said $25 codes start going out today!

[offthahorseceo]

I imagine someone in Zinio marketing... "Hey this guy just downloaded the Playbook app, let's send him a deal about the iPhone, I'm sure he'll be interested in that!"

Just received the email Deal of the Day: 24 Hours only!
(zinio.com exclusive, starts 3/21, 12p EST / ends 3/22, 11:59a EST)
Get the current issue of iPhone Life today and save an extra 50% when signing up for this single issue continuous service offer.
(discount reflected in offer; orig: $7.99 USD)

why not? although alot of us (myself included) are loyalist, there are TONS of people out there who just enjoy technology and gadgets.

i used to read Nintendo Power magazine even though i was a major SEGA fan

[shemaree09]

For those with Error #1009 and #2124 I got this email today.

I followed the steps (for the 1009 error) and it works!!! but it loads kinda slow.

The following are the most common problems users are experiencing with the Playbook app, including solutions for errors 2124 and 1009.

Having trouble downloading issues or experiencing "Error 1009"?
Please do the following:

1. Go to your Playbook's settings and select Security > Application Permissions > Zinio

2. Switch the selection to "Allow".

3. Return to the Zinio App and attempt to download one of your issues, it should start working(Some users may need to sign out and sign back in to their Zinio account).

Having trouble completing the download of a specific issue or receiving "Error 2124"?
Please do the following in the Zinio App:

1. Tap "edit" in the top toolbar of the Read page, and tap the "Remove" button.

2. Delete the file by tapping the "X" and confirming your choice to "Remove issue from device". The publication file will be deleted, and the cover thumbnail will be removed from your library.

3. To restore the issue, select “Restore” from the "Edit" menu in the upper right. Click the arrow that appears in the center of the thumbnail. The issue will be restored to your library view, and you’ll be able to download it again.

[anon(757282)]

So it sounds like Maxim is in, but Playboy is still out. Hopefully Zinio and RIM will get it sorted out in the coming days/weeks.

So where does this place the Si Swimsuit Edition? Censorship is such an arbitrary and messy business. Wish RIM and BlackBerry would stay out of this for devices not sold to businesses.

[dbwoo]

For those with Error #1009 and #2124 I got this email today.

I followed the steps (for the 1009 error) and it works!!! but it loads kinda slow.

The following are the most common problems users are experiencing with the Playbook app, including solutions for errors 2124 and 1009.

Having trouble downloading issues or experiencing "Error 1009"?
Please do the following:

1. Go to your Playbook's settings and select Security > Application Permissions > Zinio

2. Switch the selection to "Allow".

3. Return to the Zinio App and attempt to download one of your issues, it should start working(Some users may need to sign out and sign back in to their Zinio account).

Having trouble completing the download of a specific issue or receiving "Error 2124"?
Please do the following in the Zinio App:

1. Tap "edit" in the top toolbar of the Read page, and tap the "Remove" button.

2. Delete the file by tapping the "X" and confirming your choice to "Remove issue from device". The publication file will be deleted, and the cover thumbnail will be removed from your library.

3. To restore the issue, select �Restore� from the "Edit" menu in the upper right. Click the arrow that appears in the center of the thumbnail. The issue will be restored to your library view, and you�ll be able to download it again.

I received the same message from Zinio support. But I can't find the Zinio app in the application permissions. Is anyone else having this problem?

[lavaine70]

Thanks for the update Shemaree. I did this yesterday with Esquire, but no luck. This afternoon it worked! Zinio must have updated some of their magazine files. Revolution still gets stuck at ~95% though...

[harshalbid271]

About the issue with revolution, its not actually stuck. The magazine comes with a lot of embedded videos. The download bar apparently doesn't take the total file size into account, and it seems that the large video files are downloaded in the end and they take a long time. Hence the status bar looks static. If you give it enough time, you'll find it'll finish downloading.

[FSeverino]

Any news on the $25 credit?

and LOL at the people saying we are complaining that we arent getting the $25... ummm if Zinio says they will give something and the only reason I download the app is to get the $25 credit and test it out then how am i complaining? Im merely saying that we have not got what we were promised and that is all. I am not saying the we should get $50 or anything like that...

[offthahorseceo]

Any news on the $25 credit?

another entry on twitter said it starts rolling out tonight and will roll out over 24hrs

[Flexin]

Any news on the $25 credit?

and LOL at the people saying we are complaining that we arent getting the $25... ummm if Zinio says they will give something and the only reason I download the app is to get the $25 credit and test it out then how am i complaining? Im merely saying that we have not got what we were promised and that is all. I am not saying the we should get $50 or anything like that...

They posted that you had to sign up and then you would get it. They also said it would be about 48 hours before you got it.

James

[Mattman3234]

Awesome links! Thanks!

[geokilla]

Has anyone signed up for their e-mail newsletters and not get any e-mails from them? I signed up the day the app was released... Still waiting for an e-mail. Any sort of e-mail...

[djenkins6]

Another free set, login to your zinio account on one browser tab then open this link in another tab Free Sample Magazines | Zinio - The World's Largest Newsstand

[Darlaten]

Has anyone signed up for their e-mail newsletters and not get any e-mails from them? I signed up the day the app was released... Still waiting for an e-mail. Any sort of e-mail...

Consider yourself lucky; I signed up as soon as the app came out and, naturally, clicked on anything that said "do you want to accept/receive email from us". I said yes. In two days, I have received 14 email messages from them regarding various deals on magazines.

Oh, as to the PG-13 thing, if you've been following twitter today, ZinioCS posted that "it (referring to pg-13) should be back soon".

[offthahorseceo]

Was anyone able to get digital arts for free from the 4th link bengalt posted?

I tried and it wants to charge me 5.30 for it or the photoshop one...