The Financial Times is today launching its FT Windows 8 app, available on any mobile or desktop device running the new Microsoft Windows 8 Release Preview, which went live today.

The FT Windows 8 App, which is also in preview and can be downloaded from the Windows Store, is the next phase in the FT’s mobile development and extends the FT footprint across all three major tablet platforms: Windows, Apple and Android. It is built using a hybrid of HTML5 and native technology. The same core code base is used to power FT apps for mobile phones, tablets, and desktop and in this case has been combined with the best elements from Windows, optimising the app for devices running Windows 8.

Key features of the app include:

• Comprehensive content – access to a wide range of FT content, including blogs, graphics and video.
• Automatic updates– instant improvements and content updates without having to download a new version.
• Offline access – content automatically updates and stores content to read offline.
• Navigation – optimised for devices running Windows 8, including the ability to have the FT app running in part of your screen alongside other programmes so you can keep track of the news as you work.
• Search – find FT articles using the main Windows 8 search, no matter what app you are using.
• Live tile – get the latest FT headlines on your desktop.
• Design – design optimised to work across a range of devices running Windows 8.

Mobile is an increasingly important channel for the FT, driving 15% of subscriptions to FT.com and seeing a sharp rise in users, up 52% on smart phones and 49% on tablets in the last six months.

Users will have free access to FT content via the Windows 8 app for a limited period once they have registered. Once this ends the app will be integrated into the FT.com access model where after registering, users are able to sample the content before subscribing.

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For further information please contact:

UK/EMEA:
Emily Gibbs
Corporate Communications Manager
T: +44 (0) 2078333184
E: emily.gibbs@ft.com

US:
Darcy Keller
Deputy Director of Global Communications & Head of Communications in the Americas
T: +1 212-641-6614
E: darcy.keller@ft.com