Apple iOS Developers Finally Get In-App Subscriptions

From DailyTech: One of the key reasons why Apple still retains a lead when it comes to apps (there's currently 350,000 iOS apps) -- despite having been passed by Android in market share -- is that it offers industry-leading monetization for its developers. From direct sales to in-app purchases and ad-driven apps, Apple offers developers a number of ways to make the almighty dollar.

Now it's giving them one more.

Today Apple announced [press release] that it would be giving developers access to in-app subscriptions. The move is designed to placate disgruntled magazine and newspaper companies, who were upset by Apple's enforcement of a prohibition on external storefronts (Apple requires those who submit apps to conduct all business that flows through the app within Apple's ecosystem.

Now periodical publishers can let Apple do the dirty work for a small cut. Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who is currently on medical leave, but actively involved with the company's day-to-day operations, states:

"Our philosophy is simple — when Apple brings a new subscriber to the app, Apple earns a 30 percent share; when the publisher brings an existing or new subscriber to the app, the publisher keeps 100 percent and Apple earns nothing. All we require is that, if a publisher is making a subscription offer outside of the app, the same (or better) offer be made inside the app, so that customers can easily subscribe with one-click right in the app. We believe that this innovative subscription service will provide publishers with a brand new opportunity to expand digital access to their content onto the iPad, iPod touch and iPhone, delighting both new and existing subscribers."

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