Digital magazine firm Zinio Systems has unveiled the latest version of its popular reader application, promising that the offering delivers improved performance and management.

Zinio Reader 3, according to the company, features a dramatically smaller download with faster reading performance and smaller magazine files.

The application, which is due to go into beta testing during the week of 6 December, also boasts a revamped interface design from Ideo and My Magazine archive management.

The digital magazine production, distribution and circulation firm also introduced Zinio Express, a browser-based magazine viewer designed to give readers immediate access to magazine content.

The product launches were accompanied by the unveiling of integrated search technology designed to allow readers to search the text of individual magazines or their entire Zinio archive.

"The combination of Zinio Express and Zinio Reader 3.0 represents the most comprehensive delivery solution in digital publishing today," said Scott Kauffman, president and chief executive at Zinio Systems.

According to Zinio, readers are adopting digital magazines in record numbers. The company cited the latest Audit Bureau of Circulation and BPA Worldwide publisher statements, which indicated that audited circulation of digital magazines jumped 56 per cent from December 2003 to June 2004.

The Zinio reader software can be downloaded here