New Atlas by Collins App Reinvents the World for Apple Devices

NEW YORK– Leading publisher Collins today launched its stunning new Atlas by Collins™ app for iPhone and iPad, allowing users to explore the world as never before through a collection of interactive 3-D globes draped in visual data.

“Atlas by Collins™ was designed to revolutionize how people find information about the world around them”

Atlas by Collins™ includes seven free globes with themes such as politics, energy and the environment. Users have access to more than 200,000 locations such as cities, landmarks and natural features, all of which can be discovered while offline. The app gives users the ability to change their view of the world with the swipe of a finger, to see, for example, which countries consume the most oil or have the highest rate of Internet use. Each globe can be viewed from space to street level using pinch and scroll functionality.

Taking advantage of the latest Apple technology, this groundbreaking app is optimized for the new iPad, iPhone 5 and iOS6. It has been created by Collins Geo, the award-winning cartographic team behind The Times Atlas of the World, in partnership with the Other Media, developers of the bestselling Wonders of the Universe app.

“Atlas by Collins™ was designed to revolutionize how people find information about the world around them,” said Sheena Barclay, Managing Director of the Collins Geo Division. “This app is a gateway to an amazing amount of information about our planet, its people and the way we live. For the first time, the Apple platform provides the processing power and functionality to bring a world-class Atlas app to people all over the planet. Apple device owners can now see the world in context and keep up-to-date with it as it evolves.”

Atlas by Collins™ – designed to help students, teachers, journalists, parents, travelers and anyone else who wants to put their world in context – allows users to simply “Atlas it” to find the information they seek.

The following themed globes are available with the launch of Atlas by Collins™:

• Satellite map: A clear satellite image of the Earth from space down to street level
• Physical maps: 3-D maps display physical features such as oceans, mountains and deserts
• Political maps: Current states and territories, political and economic alliances, and historical maps showing the effects of exploration, colonialism and conflict
• Environment: The impact of human life on the natural world, and how countries compare on environmental issues such as pollution and forest loss
• Population: Statistics about the people who inhabit the world, including population trends, migration, and birth and death rates
• Communications: How technology connects the world, including mobile coverage, Internet usage and number of telephone lines
• Energy: The distribution of energy resources, and patterns in energy production and consumption

New globes covering UNESCO World Heritage sites, world economy, climate change and global development are already in the works and will be available through in-app purchases.

The Atlas by Collins™ app is available for iPad 2 and above and iPhone 4 and above at an initial price of $9.99. For more information, and to download the app from the Apple app store, visit www.atlasbycollins.com. The website, as well as the app’s Facebook and Twitter pages, will provide support and updates, and be a forum for users to suggest themes for future globes.

Collins partnered with London development agency the OTHER media to design and build Atlas by Collins™ using custom-made 3D technology. Chris Harris, app director at the OTHER media, says: “Working with a publisher with such a great heritage – and great data – and being given the freedom to reinvent the atlas for this app was a fantastic opportunity and one that we relished. We are very proud of Atlas by Collins™ and are looking forward to working closely with Collins to develop this revolutionary data platform in the years ahead."

About Collins

Collins, an imprint of HarperCollins UK, is one of the world’s leading atlas publishers. Founded in 1819 on the principle of “creating knowledge for all,” Collins offers an exceptionally wide choice for all reference needs.

Collins’ publishing continues to grow, with titles covering subjects from astronomy to zoology being produced in print, eBook and app formats.

By pioneering new approaches to publishing, Collins will always provide people with the most up-to-date and accessible information-led products available.

About the OTHER media

London based the OTHER media was founded in 1994 and is now seen as a cornerstone of the UK’s digital establishment providing web solutions and app development. As well as HarperCollins, other prestigious clients include BAFTA, BBC Worldwide, the England and Wales Cricket Board, Paul Smith and the V&A museum.