The magazine costs $19.99 on an annual basis or $1.99 on a monthly recurring basis. A single copy of one magazine is available at $4.99, although those wishing to simply try out the magazine can do so with a one-month free trial.

Although Rolling Stone has been available digitally on Zinio, Kindle and Nook in the past, the iPad launch is significant for a number of reasons.

The release marks the first time a native version of Rolling Stone has been available to Newsstand, and also shows that publisher Wenner Media has mellowed in its approach to the iPad.

In an interview with AdAge less than two years ago, Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner slammed magazine publishers for their “premature” embrace of the iPad, something he said was driven by “sheer insanity, insecurity and fear”.

As with the print magazine, the Rolling Stone iPad edition promises breaking music news, album and movie reviews and more, with one of the additional features being iTunes integration so readers can link directly to songs or albums mentioned in articles.

The bad news is that, unlike some other magazine publishers, Wenner Media is not offering a discount or bonus features to existing print subscribers. They, like everybody else, will be forced to subscribe to the digital edition.

The container Rolling Stone app can be downloaded here.