Playboy's iPad App: The Not-So-Naked Truth

For the past few months, Hugh Hefner, founder and owner of Playboy magazine, has been stirring up a lot of attention. He’s been talking about the release of the much-anticipated Playboy app for Apple’s iOS-supported devices, including iPad and iPad 2. This caused concern among many users, particularly family types who use such devices with their children.

The reason for the hubbub? Steve Jobs had said in the past that no Apple device would feature any app with nudity or explicit sexual content. With the release of the Playboy app, many were wondering if he was softening on this rule, and what this could mean for similar apps.

Well, rest easy. After going hands-on with this new application (in a clean sort of way, mind you), we can assure you there’s nothing to fear in the pictures or in the other content. While the Playboy app does feature the option to purchase monthly digital magazines and ogle pretty ladies, it doesn’t contain any nude content. It’s about on the same level as the Maxim HD and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue apps, which also feature women with skimpy clothes in compromising positions. But that’s as risqué as it gets.

There are articles included in the app that are taken straight from the magazine, including interviews with spirituality guru Deepak Chopra and Robot Chicken creator Seth Green, as well as articles pertaining to sex and adult behaviors. And they’re presented in a very Playboy-ish manner, with easy-to-read text and the option to “skip around” to particular articles.

But when it comes to looking at featured playmates, you’ll only get peeks of implied nudity.

Not everyone is pleased by the censorship, as most users have rated the app one star out of five solely because it doesn’t contain any nudity. Still, it’s a decent app if you’re a fan of the magazine, giving you something to look at when you’re traveling. And it’s certainly more discreet than pulling out a Playboy magazine to read.

So Jobs’ policy remains intact, and for less than a dollar, you can still ogle plenty of women or, for a change, read the articles. And if that isn’t enough, you can still hit the newsstand and buy a copy. And Hefner can still grin ear-to-ear over that.

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