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| NI yet to convince rivals over iPad aggregation app News International presses ahead with plans for aggregation app but rival publishers voice doubts over editorial controlNews International is pushing ahead with plans to launch a paid-for, news aggregation app for the iPad but is understood to be facing scepticism from rival publishers about issues of editorial control.Proposals for the aggregation app are part of parent company News Corporation's Project Alesia – Rupert Murdoch's initiative to develop new forms of paid-for digital content – and exploit cross-industry interest in creating value by bundling services together. Though acknowledged as an attractive proposition for consumers, the project demands publishers overlook traditional rivalries.One source close to the project said that while there is interest in the concept, rival UK publishers are sceptical about handing editorial control to News International, despite its assurances of neutrality."It's about the value proposition. If individual newspapers charge £10 for an app, but you can subscribe to all of them through one app that's £15 – even the brand loyalists among us can see that bundled services are seen as better value. It's a great idea," the source added."But who has editorial control? It's hard to see News International acting as an independent third party. It would feel like Rupert was editor."Another source said bundling content from different print sources offered significant potential for traditional journalism. "The bundled model needs a [digital] retail price to be established before it can succeed," they added. This source said that publishers are at different stages in developing their thinking on charging for digital content.The News International app had been planned for release before Christmas but is understood to be unlikely to make that date. One possible promotion would see the app pre-installed on discounted iPads.News International is also thought to be concerned that bundling content from the Sun and the News of the World would reduce paid subscriptions for the tabloid titles' websites when a paywall is introduced. News of the World online content is due to go behind a paywall this month.Project Alesia builds on News Corp's recent acquisition of Skiff, the news aggregation software for e-readers that it bought from the publishers Hearst. Though the aggregation project would initially focus on the iPad, News Corp is working on a range of initiatives as well as talking to US news publishers about aggregating their content.• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediaguardian.co.uk or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000.• If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".News CorporationNews InternationalMedia businessiPadNewspapers & magazinesNewspapersAppleNational newspapersRupert MurdochJemima Kissguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Figures show Britain's 'Mr and Mrs Average' A picture of the average man and woman in Britain today is painted with the release of figures by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). bbc.co.uk |
Paying by cash helps keep you healthy Paying for food in cash could help shoppers stick to a healthy diet, according to scientists. telegraph.co.uk |
'Cheesegrater' project revived as London office market recovers Land Securities, Britain's biggest property developer, last week said it would restart work on a 37-storey building known as the Walkie Talkie in nearby Fenchurch StreetDecisions taken by property developers to go ahead with the "Cheesegrater" and the "Walkie Talkie" towers in the City will see London's skyline transformed in the next few years. The buildings, due to open in 2014, will be among the tallest and the most striking skyscrapers in the capital since Swiss Re's Gherkin opened in 2004.British Land, run by former Barclays banker Chris Grigg, said today that it had teamed up with Canada's Oxford Properties to build the 47-storey Leadenhall Building, nicknamed the Cheesegrater because of its wedge-shaped profile.It is the second major project in the Square Mile to be given the go-ahead within a week, a sign that confidence is returning to the City property market. Last week rival Land Securities, Britain's biggest property developer, said it would restart work on a 37-storey building dubbed the Walkie Talkie, reflecting its shape and sloping sides, in nearby Fenchurch Street after signing a £500m deal with Canary Wharf Group. Both towers were put on hold during the credit crunch when the market ground to a halt as banks slashed jobs and cancelled office relocations.Other leading developments include the Pinnacle, also known as the "Helter-Skelter," and Heron Tower on Bishopsgate, due to open early next year, as well as the Shard at London Bridge. Two others have recently been completed: St Botolph and the Walbrook, both by Minerva.British Land, the UK's second-largest developer and landlord, has struck a 50-50 joint venture with Oxford Properties Group, the real estate arm of Toronto-based Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System, one of Canada's largest pension funds, to build the 610,000 sq ft Cheesegrater for £340m. Designed by Richard Rogers' firm, it will be one of the tallest buildings in the City and will stand on stilts to open up the space below for public use. The storeys vary in size from 21,000 sq ft at the bottom to 6,000 sq ft at the top to accommodate various tenants.Both skyscrapers are expected to be finished in the second quarter of 2014, when many leases expire in the City. Neither has secured any tenants yet although insurance group Aon is thought to be talking to both Land Securities and British Land. Its lease expires in 2014 and it is looking for about 250,000 sq ft. Both developers stress that they do not need pre-lets to push ahead with the buildings."We welcome the start of an additional office development, given our positive stance on quality office space," said Harm Meijer at JP Morgan.The recession forced developers to mothball most projects, but commercial property market has recovered since last summer, with the weak pound fuelling demand from international investors and a shortage of prime office space boosting rents. Office rents in the City have rocketed by almost 25% this year, the strongest recovery in rents since records began 22 years ago, according to NB Real Estate. Average rents for prime space increased from £42.50 a sq ft in the first quarter to £53.00 a sq ft in the third.The Walkie Talkie will have 690,000 sq ft of office space as well as 23,000 sq ft of retail space. While the two towers will need to generate £45 to £50 per sq ft in rent to break even, analysts believe they could command rents of around £60 per sq ft, delivering a healthy return to the developers.On Thursday, the City's first major shopping centre opens in the shadow of St Paul's Cathedral. Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, who created the Serpentine gallery pavilion this summer, One New Change was inspired by a US stealth bomber. It hopes to lure tourists and bankers with its Banana Republic and Hugo Boss concessions and Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay restaurants. It will also have 330,000 sq ft of office space.Commercial propertyReal estateLondonArchitectureBritish LandLand SecuritiesJulia Kolleweguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Most people expecting house price slump More people think house prices will fall during the coming year than those who think they will rise, a survey showed today. telegraph.co.uk |