The Boston Globe announced today the launch of the ‘preview edition’ of GlobeReader, a new digital version of The Boston Globe newspaper that can be read offline or online. Through GlobeReader the content of the Globe is downloaded daily to a subscriber’s desktop, laptop or netbook, in a format designed to resemble the look and feel of the print version of The Boston Globe. Currently the preview edition is available to Globe subscribers exclusively. Plans for further expansion are in development.

“The introduction of the preview edition of the GlobeReader gives our home delivery subscribers access to new and exciting ways to read The Boston Globe both at home and on the go,” said Chris Mayer, SVP circulation and operations.

Susan Hunt Stevens, SVP digital, added, “GlobeReader is another important step toward our goal of being able to publish The Boston Globe on whichever platform our readers and advertisers value, and builds on the success we’ve seen with other platforms such as mobile devices and Kindle.”

GlobeReader is designed for people who truly enjoy the experience of reading the news.

• It’s organized into sections familiar to Globe readers.
• The navigation is easy and clear.
• Scanning for stories or photos is fast.
• Articles are set in the same type font as the paper and the page design is understated and clean.
• Readability features include adjustable type size and screen size.

The Globe’s new digital newspaper was built with Adobe Flex and Adobe® AIR®, key components of the Adobe Flash® Platform. While online, GlobeReader users can search Boston.com for expanded features such as slide shows, videos, interactive graphics and more.

"Leveraging Adobe® AIR®, the new GlobeReader showcases the future of digital publishing and helps The Boston Globe to deliver a highly readable experience with a closer, more consistent connection to subscribers regardless of what computer operating system they use," said David Wadhwani, general manager of the Platform Business Unit at Adobe Systems.

For a limited time, access to GlobeReader is included with all subscriptions to The Boston Globe. Subscribers have been invited to provide feedback to help the paper further develop ‘e-reader’ products. Advertisers, too, have been invited to participate in the early stages of GlobeReader.

Please visit bostonglobe.com/globereader to see a full demonstration of GlobeReader and to download the preview edition to your laptop, desktop or netbook. For advertising information, please contact Jane Bowman, sales development director at 617-929-8434, email – jbowman@globe.com.

About The Boston Globe:

The Boston Globe is wholly owned by The New York Times Company, a leading media company with 2008 revenues of $2.9 billion, which includes The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, 15 other daily newspapers, WQXR-FM and more than 50 Web sites, including NYTimes.com, Boston.com and About.com. The Company’s core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment.