SI swimsuit issue hits newsstands

NEW YORK, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- The 2012 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, with Kate Upton gracing the cover, appeared on U.S. newsstands, as well as SI.com/Swimsuit, Tuesday.

The cover shot of Upton, a 19-year-old native of Melbourne, Fla., was captured by SI photographer Walter Iooss Jr. It was his 12th swimsuit issue cover.

The issue's content is also available on digital extensions, including a tablet edition that features more than 150 photos and 2 hours of video, available for iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Barnes & Noble Nook Color, Amazon Kindle Fire, Motorola Xoom and Android smartphones. There is also an iPhone app.

"You will see innovation on every swimsuit [issue] platform this year," Terry McDonell, editor of Time Inc. Sports Group, said in a statement. "The magazine tablet app showcases the highest levels of photography through scrolling-panoramic sequences, we created a new music section on SI.com, and on your iPad and iPhone the 360-degree views of body paint will offer an entirely new perspective ... ."

Former swimsuit issue cover models include Bar Refaeli, Kathy Ireland, Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs, Heidi Klum, Elle Macpherson, Tyra Banks and Brooklyn Decker.