Since the launch of the iPad last year, there’s been great concern, amongst publishers and consumers alike, over the lack of subscription options for magazines and newspapers bought through the App Store. Prior to this week, such an option just didn’t exist, but Apple has finally taken steps to correct the problem by launching a service that will allow users to subscribe to their favorite media, directly from their iPad.
The app in question establishes Apple more firmly as the middleman between iPad users and publishers. In addition to processing payments made through the App Store, Apple will collect 30 percent of the revenue generated from new subscriptions. (Publishers retain all revenue from established subscribers.) Of course, publishes are already flying into a tizzy, taking issue with this policy, as well as Apple’s control over user data and the additional stipulation that publishers provide the same subscription for the app as they offer in other distribution channels.
Apple insists that the service does not demand exclusivity between publishers and itself, and that publishers can sell their subscriptions on their own sites, or off their material for free to existing customers. It’s just asking for a cut when it brings new subscribers to the publisher through the app. Publishers also maintain complete control over subscription lengths.
Personally, I think this move is a good first step toward hammering out the situation, but it may require some tinkering yet to insure fairness to all parties. In the meantime, it should be interesting to see how the app performs and what sort of numbers come down across the board.
Image: James Martin/CNET
Tags: Apple launches subscription app, App Store, Apple, subscription app, iPad, iPhone, iPad newspapers, iPad magazines, iPad subscriptions, subscribe to newspapers and magazines through iPad app
