Subscriptions are a great addition - the ease of sign-up (and reassurance of easily cancellation) will likely make this a winner with customers. However it’s not plain-sailing:
Publishers who use Apple’s subscription service in their app can also leverage other methods for acquiring digital subscribers outside of the app. For example, publishers can sell digital subscriptions on their web sites, or can choose to provide free access to existing subscribers. … However, Apple does require that if a publisher chooses to sell a digital subscription separately outside of the app, that same subscription offer must be made available, at the same price or less, to customers who wish to subscribe from within the app. In addition, publishers may no longer provide links in their apps (to a web site, for example) which allow the customer to purchase content or subscriptions outside of the app.
There’s pushing a line for the sake of the user-experience, and there’s pushing a line because you simply want a pound of flesh.
Don’t get me wrong: I’d choose sign-up via In-App Purchase any day versus side-loading and signing up via Safari, but this is a scary move on Apple’s part. Especially if you’re a company in this policy’s crosshairs.
Posted on Tuesday February 15th, 2011
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