Uncensored Playboy coming to iPad: Hefner

Playboy founder Hugh Hefner has confirmed that the magazine will soon be available on iPad.

Hefner, 84, took to his Twitter page to confirm that the entire uncensored Playboy catalogue will be available from March.

"Big news! Playboy-both old and new-will be available on iPad beginning in March," Fox News quoted Hefner as tweeting on his official feed.

"The iPad version of Playboy will include the whole magazine from the first issue to the latest. Playboy on iPad will be uncensored," he wrote.

The announcement comes despite Apple's notorious censorship policy.

But Hefner's statement has been clarified by Playboy spokesman Theresa Hennessey, who said that the comely centrefolds and sensual snaps from the magazine won't be available in an iPad app after all.

"We are releasing a web-based subscription service with Bondi Digital Publishing that will give users access to every issue of Playboy both past and present," she said.

"The service will be iPad-compatible and will utilize iPad functions.

"Playboy's engineers also have plans to release a non-nude version of a Playboy-branded iPad app in the coming months that adheres to all of Apple's policies and guidelines," she added.

Digital magazine publisher Bondi Digital, which admitted that it was powering the eye-popping iPad app, will be producing the men's magazine.

"I can confirm that we are in development with them," Bondi co-founder David Anthony said.

"You'll be able to access Playboy via the browser in your tablet and use the same password to access it on your computer," he stated.

Those seeking Playboy's titillating photos will access Bondi's custom website, not the app, which will, of course, be censored.

Hefner takes Playboy private

NEW YORK: Playboy tycoon Hugh Hefner has struck a deal to return Playboy Enterprises to private ownership, according to a statement Monday.

Not usually one to shy away from the public sphere, slumping sales and poor finances appear to have convinced Hefner to end his company's flirtation with the stock market.

The octogenarian publisher agreed to pay $6.15 for each share owned by partners, a more than 18 percent premium over Friday's closing price.

"With the completion of this transaction, Playboy will come full circle, returning to its roots as a private company," Hefner said in a statement.

"The brand resonates today as clearly as at any time in its 57-year history. I believe this agreement will give us the resources and flexibility to return Playboy to its unique position and to further expand our business around the world."

Pummeled by the Internet, Playboy is now expected to focus on its "brand management" business, including licensing products.

84-year-old Hefner engaged to 24-year-old-girlfriend

Love knows no age barriers - and "Playboy" chief Hugh Hefner proves this. The 84-year-old has apparently got engaged to his 24-year-old girlfriend Crystal Harris.

Hefner posted on Twitter that he has gifted Harris a ring on Christmas eve, the tmz.com reports.

"After the movie (The Tourist) tonight (Dec 24), Crystal and I exchanged gifts. I gave Crystal a ring. A truly memorable Christmas Eve," he posted.

Hefner has married twice before. He first tied the knot with Mildred Williams, the marriage lasted from 1949 to 1959, and later with model-actress Kimberly Conrad with whom he split earlier this year.