Google news is discontinuing a product. The print replica magazines are in Google news, which are the versions of print pages you could view on phones or via desktop.
Android police report that Google sent an email to current magazine subscribers to inform them of the change, effective immediately. Google suggested that readers could still visit a magazine’s website, which perhaps they are already doing since it’s 2020.
Publishers can continue selling content on Google News in the form of paywalled RSS-based publications.’it is only the support for the sale of discrete digital files that is changing,’ Google spokesperson said.
Google first launched its play magazines app in 2012, then folded into Newsstand, before being dumped into Google news. The idea was to give publishers control over how their articles were presented and viewed online, retain the print look and feel.
Apple’s tablet became a popular destination for digital magazines. Fewer than 200 pubs took part in Google’s magazine program. The product was available on the Google News app for Android and also on desktop via Google News.
The magazine section has not been visible in the play store for about a year. Apple discontinued its digital magazine storefront in 2015. Most magazines on iOS are now accessed through individual apps.