Announcing the Launch of the (New) Art of Manliness Mobile Site by Onswipe (Plus an iPad & Saddleback Case Giveaway)

by Brett & Kate McKay on October 11, 2012 · 2,148 comments

As more and more folks use mobile touch devices like iPads and smartphones to browse the internet, the challenge for online publishers is to customize their platform so that reading content is optimized for mobile viewing. We’ve had previous iterations of a mobile site for AoM before, but they were pretty rudimentary and didn’t work for tablet devices.

But now that’s changed. We’ve partnered with Onswipe to create a touch-friendly mobile version of AoM that looks and works like a dream on the iPhone (Android coming soon) and three of the most popular tablet devices on the market today.

We actually implemented the Onswipe mobile version of AoM about two months ago and did a small announcement via Twitter to get some feedback from folks as we worked out some bugs with the fine folks at Onswipe. The response to the new mobile site has been overwhelmingly positive.

And the analytics back up the anecdotal praise. Without even letting people know we have a touch-friendly version of the site, our engagement from mobile users has increased dramatically. According to Google Analytics, the number of visits from folks using iPhones has increased by nearly 7,000% in just two months. And people using their iPad to browse AoM are sticking around a lot longer: average time spent on the site went up over 200%. Sure, some people aren’t going to be happy with the changes (you can’t please everyone!), but the statistics show that lots of AoM readers are digging the new Onswipe mobile experience.

Here’s a sneak peak at some of the features you’ll find on our new mobile touch version of AoM.

Features

Clean, Magazine-like Layout

With the clean, magazine-like layout, articles are now much easier and more enjoyable to read on your mobile device. With the swipe-to-advance-to-the-next-article interface, you’ll feel like you’re flipping through your favorite magazine.

Easy-to-Use, Intuitive Touch Interface

The AoM + Onswipe mobile experience takes full advantage of the touch capabilities of today’s tablets and smartphones. Just swipe and tap to browse and read articles.

It’s so easy, even a toddler can do it! Do I see a hair sprouting on your chest, Gus?

Responsive Web Design

No matter how you orient your screen, the AoM + Onswipe mobile site will orient itself to match. Like to read your articles in portrait mode? Go ahead! Fancy yourself a landscape mode kind of guy? You can read AoM in that position, too.

Favorites

Create your own custom digest of your favorite Art of Manliness articles with the “Favorites” feature. Just tap the heart in the bottom right-hand corner to add it to your catalog (Requires Facebook account to use).

Share

Spread the Good Word of Manliness with just a quick tap. Help make the world manlier by sharing AoM articles you enjoy via Facebook, Twitter, or even email.

100% Free (Ad-supported)

We’re committed to ensuring the high-caliber articles on artofmanliness.com remain totally free, but for that to happen we need the support of advertisers. We’re able to provide this great mobile version of AoM thanks to advertisements that will appear every now and then as you swipe through articles. We’ll be working with Onswipe to ensure that ads adhere to the same high standards we apply to the desktop version of the site and don’t clutter up the mobile experience.

Works in Your Browser: No App Download Needed!

The AoM + Onswipe mobile site works in your mobile device’s browser. No download needed! Anytime you go to an artofmanliness.com url on your mobile device, you’ll automatically be directed to the mobile experience. (Of course, if you don’t like the mobile version, we make it easy for you to opt out with a “Desktop Mode” button.)

This Is Just the Beginning!

Onswipe is working hard to add more features to the mobile version of AoM to make it even better. Keep checking back on your touch device to see what’s cooking.

Devices Currently Supported

Kindle Fire
Nexus 7
iPad
iPhone

The site looks slightly different on each device, but works pretty much the same whether you’re on a iPad or Nexus 7 — just touch and swipe to navigate through the site.

Coming Soon: Android smartphones. Look for it towards the end of the year!

Thanks for your continued support of The Art of Manliness. We’re always looking for ways to improve your experience with AoM. We hope this new mobile version of the site does just that.

Win an iPad 2 AND a Saddleback Leather Company iPad Case from AoM + Onswipe

To celebrate the launch of our new magazine-esque, touch-friendly mobile site, AoM and Onswipe are giving away an iPad 2 AND a Saddleback Leather iPad case so you can read AoM’s new mobile site in ruggedly handsome style.

How to Enter

There are two ways to enter.

1. Simply leave a comment below sharing where you’re going to read AoM on your Saddleback Leather encased iPad 2.

2. Visit artofmanliness.com on any of the following devices: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire, or iPad, and you will see an advertisement that looks like this as you swipe between articles:

Click the “Tweet to Enter” button and a hover-over will appear with various sharing buttons. Click the Twitter button. For your Tweet to count make sure to add the following in your tweet: #aomipad

Deadline to enter is Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 10PM CT. We’ll then select a random entry from the comments and tweets combined to determine the winner.

Good luck!

← Previous Comments

2101 Thomas Shepherd October 18, 2012 at 6:51 am: I will be reading AOM from the comfort of my desk, during a few well-deserved breaks from loud, crude high school English students.
2102 Simon Bercier October 18, 2012 at 7:28 am: With that iPad, I’ll be reading AoM in my captain’s chair right beside the fire at my uncle’s!
2103 Gedeon October 18, 2012 at 7:34 am: Mostly in bed or at school.
2104 Brendon October 18, 2012 at 8:42 am: I would read it in the morning with a huge mug of coffee looking out over a Prince Edward Island seascape.
2105 Brett October 18, 2012 at 8:42 am: I would read it while deployed to Afghanistan, with wifi provided by our comm team!
2106 Jess October 18, 2012 at 9:48 am: I will read it after work to unwind!
2107 Lucien October 18, 2012 at 9:50 am: I would be reading it in my hunting cabin by a roaring fire sitting in my rocking chair.
2108 John Ken October 18, 2012 at 9:56 am: I’d read it on the bus.
2109 Matthew October 18, 2012 at 10:06 am: Everywhere! In this time of self indulgence and thin skin it takes diligence to counteract the machinations of the lame while providing a good example for men to come.
2110 Tobin October 18, 2012 at 10:13 am: I will take my new saddleback-encased iPad to the workshop, great tool for laying out projects and reading aom while fitting in with the aesthetic of my woodworking hand tools.
2111 cb October 18, 2012 at 10:17 am: I read AoM via the RSS feed in Reeder, and would take advantage of my lunch break to catch up
2112 Richard Wilkinson October 18, 2012 at 10:23 am: I will read AoM on the iPad encased in the Saddleback Leather Case in my overstuffed leather chair while sipping some Johnny Walker Black after a long day of romping with the kids.
2113 Tobin October 18, 2012 at 10:28 am: I would read it in my workshop. The leather case would go well with the hand tool aesthetic and the iPad would be a wonderful layout tool (and a great way to take breaks by reading AOM, of course).
2114 Charlene Alfonso October 18, 2012 at 10:36 am: I’m going to read it in front of my husband!
2115 Kevin October 18, 2012 at 10:57 am: I’d read between classes and during study breaks. I’m an engineering student, so the down time is always nice
2116 Michael October 18, 2012 at 11:05 am: I would be reading AoM while sitting beside a campfire.
2117 Jesse October 18, 2012 at 11:20 am: I would read AoM articles on the iPad in between classes at college as I desire to only read things that will help me grow into a man of strong character. I would share articles with my friends, men and women alike, to share the wealth of knowledge.
2118 Jon Howery October 18, 2012 at 11:26 am: I would be reading it with my three sons on the couch or in the garage.
2119 Kyle October 18, 2012 at 11:28 am: I will show off the saddleback leather case and iPad at the local coffeeshops in Portland, OR.
2120 Rob Shrader October 18, 2012 at 11:43 am: Man saddleback makes some sweet looking man gear.
2121 Mike October 18, 2012 at 11:45 am: I really like the idea. I plan to read it anywhere I can. Right now, on my Kindle Fire HD, I can’t read anything because I can’t get the screen to change.
2122 Jon October 18, 2012 at 11:55 am: I would read AoM on my iPad to my younger brother… he needs some lessons in manliness.
2123 tommy w October 18, 2012 at 12:15 pm: Atop the tallest mountain in Virginia, with my horse and some hot tea
2124 Spencer October 18, 2012 at 12:34 pm: Sitting in my study at Sagamore Hill (don’t I wish).
2125 Andres October 18, 2012 at 1:05 pm: I’ll read AOM at the range when I’m not using the IPad to calculate elevation and windage.
2126 Michael October 18, 2012 at 1:14 pm: I’ll be reading while lounging on my couch. I like the new layout a lot; it’s very slick and clean. I didn’t see how to leave comments on the touch version of the site, though.
2127 Bret October 18, 2012 at 1:19 pm: Everywhere to spread the word about AoM and Saddleback
2128 Marty O'C October 18, 2012 at 1:54 pm: Thank God, I’ll finally have something to replace mobile-phone sudoku when I’m stuck at airports– which seems to be how I spend half my job.
2129 Paul October 18, 2012 at 2:01 pm: If I won, I would read Art of Manliness during my morning studies, after prayer. These articles truly help me to be the man I ought to be for my family.
2130 Basette Smith October 18, 2012 at 2:05 pm: I can see myself on a Sunday morning, rising early to prep the ingredients for a great pot roast recipe I discovered (with my new iPad) on AoM.

Then, as my roast cooks slowly in the oven, I would read AoM on my back porch with Achilles, my new Boxer puppy, as I wait for the early NFL games to begin (Go Bengals!).

Football, puppies, pot roast, and AoM on the iPad-not a bad way to spend an autumn Sunday afternoon!
2131 Victor October 18, 2012 at 3:34 pm: I would read mine around campus in between classes. The ability to read AOM outdoors would be very nice. AOM…Just like nature intended
2132 Kodi Wilson October 18, 2012 at 3:59 pm: Probably use it to view AOM while traveling for Business.
2133 Kris October 18, 2012 at 4:02 pm: That iPad and Saddleback case would go everywhere with me!
2134 Gabor Jenei October 18, 2012 at 4:14 pm: I would read AoM everywhere with this ;)
2135 Brad October 18, 2012 at 5:22 pm: If I were fortunate enough to win, I would read it at home on the sofa for some peace and quiet without the tv.
2136 Brad October 18, 2012 at 5:32 pm: I would use my new iPad everywhere to show off that sweet case and show everyone AoM.
2137 Irwin October 18, 2012 at 5:36 pm: AoM on the go. Nice!
2138 Scott October 18, 2012 at 5:41 pm: From the deerstand
2139 Pancho October 18, 2012 at 5:43 pm: I’d read it outdoors and indoors but mostly on my bed drinking coffee.
2140 Drew wenmoth October 18, 2012 at 7:29 pm: Ill read AoM sitting in my overstuffed chair with a nice local brewery’s beer watching the outdoor channel
2141 Norman October 18, 2012 at 7:50 pm: I would use it to read my lecture notes in bed.
2142 Leo Lehman October 18, 2012 at 8:25 pm: During my lunch hour or reading at home after work. Although it looks like I could take the Saddleback pretty much anywhere.
2143 ben October 18, 2012 at 9:20 pm: I would read AoM everywhere (that there is WiFi) if I won the Saddleback iPad case.
2144 Nathan October 18, 2012 at 9:28 pm: If I were to win this wonderful prize, I would read it on the beach with my nephews teaching them how to grow to be a man, as they have no father.
2145 Nat October 18, 2012 at 9:54 pm: I will read it in bed, then pass it to my husband who will probably read it on the can… I love AoM and the new mobile format is the best I’ve seen!!
2146 Bryce Oleski October 18, 2012 at 10:06 pm: I would read art of man while dear hunting from my tree stand!
2147 Dustin Saunders October 18, 2012 at 10:06 pm: I would read Art of Manliness as often as possible, any time I had a free moment during my busy day on the Queens University of Charlotte campus.
2148 Luis armenteros October 18, 2012 at 10:19 pm: I will be happy to read the AoM magazine on the ipad with saddleback leather case all over my FIU college campus and this would be a massive blessing to a budding musician as well =)