Why Newsstand needs to go away →
Jason Snell:
What was intended to be a special collection of apps has, instead, become a second-class collection. That’s why it would be better for everyone concerned—Apple, users, app developers, and publishers (including Macworld)—if Newsstand just vanished.
Agreed. As a developer, Newsstand was limiting. As an iOS user, Newsstand is infuriating: it’s either an empty folder you don’t want, or a needless barrier to accessing your publication apps.
I’d say Snell’s wish for auto-updating “issue” icons for media apps outside of Newsstand isn’t even necessary. When a new issue comes in, just use the same mechanism we’ve had for years: an unread-count icon badge. (Or join this century and dispense with “issues” altogether.)