Apple stops free Ipad newspaper subscriptions - Page 2

Maggie Leung · 01-15-2011, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

This is actually a great development.
Dedicated site-access apps exist to make up for the deficiencies--relative to the full, open web--of the iphone formfactor and its browser. Especially where it comes to rich, interactive sites that rely on Flash. With Apple banning first Flash and now free access-apps, the publishers really only have one option to provide unified subscriptions to their content: reworking their websites with HTML5.
Once enough publishers do so, the rest will have to follow suit so the likely result of this is to accelerate HTML5 adoption and put an end altogether to site-access apps. For the publishers it means lower costs since they no longer have to code, distribute and support even one app, much less 4 or 5 for iOS, Android, Symbian, Blackberry, WP7 etc. It also means the recover control of the customer relationship from Apple.
For users it means the pubishers have no excuse for *not* providing unified cross-platform access subscriptions.
So the publishers win and the customers win.
That's a good thing, no?

I wholeheartedly agree. It works better for consumers as a whole if content makers can avoid splitting resources among readers with different devices.

Andrew H. · 01-15-2011, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Do you think that complaints of poor voice quality might be a reflection of the network rather than the phone? As I say, I get very good quality with my iPhone 4, but I'm using it on Vodafone in the UK, not AT&T in the US.

Yes, I think it's the network. The voice service I've had on my iPhone for the past several years is as good as the voice service I had with Verizon with a couple of phones, and (both were) much better than the service I had with T-Mobile before then.

bbusybookworm · 01-15-2011, 06:19 PM

I think that if Apple starts banning Newspapers and other sites which offer a free app to access content that may be part of a larger subscription, it could lead to a slippery slope.

I Use Newspaper Direct's PressDisplay service on my iPad everyday in the PressReader App. Now the subscription I have lets me read any newspaper or Magazine they offer on up to six devices including my computer. Now while the app does make it much more convenient to read especially offline (I managed to get through 30 papers and Mags on my last flight) I'm usually connected so I could perhaps switch to reading it in a browser.

Having said that what happens when Apple decides that other services like Dropbox, Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, etc which are subscription based but offer access to their service through dedicated apps should pay as well. While some of them could probably be resonably useful through the web, others may not be so.

CazMar · 01-15-2011, 06:49 PM

I don't have an Iphone, but would it be possible to do the automatic newsfeed download via Calibre and transfer with to your Iphone? If Apple doesn't want to offer this content then avoiding their app would seem the best way to go. They'll soon get the message when site traffic drops off sharply.
On the slightly off-topic of mobile phones, my husband is thinking of ditching his Blackberry and getting an IPhone simply because of the comparative coverage from their providers. A good device can be really let down by poor coverage. My cheap phone gets coverage even in remote parts of outback Australia, his Blackberry just dies!

elcreative · 01-15-2011, 07:14 PM

Calibre may work but Apple isn't banning an Apple app, these are free apps from the publishers...

Quote:

Originally Posted by CazMar

I don't have an Iphone, but would it be possible to do the automatic newsfeed download via Calibre and transfer with to your Iphone? If Apple doesn't want to offer this content then avoiding their app would seem the best way to go. They'll soon get the message when site traffic drops off sharply.

Maggie Leung · 01-15-2011, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbusybookworm

I think that if Apple starts banning Newspapers and other sites which offer a free app to access content that may be part of a larger subscription, it could lead to a slippery slope....

Having said that what happens when Apple decides that other services like Dropbox, Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, etc which are subscription based but offer access to their service through dedicated apps should pay as well. While some of them could probably be resonably useful through the web, others may not be so.

Apple has to balance satisfying customers with making money. If Apple's moves end up hurting service, it would hurt its own business. Businesses do shoot themselves in the foot sometimes, of course. As a customer, I'm always prepared to take my money elsewhere. I don't worry about those types of scenarios. Shrug. It's businesses' job to satisfy customers. If they can't, someone else can.

Andrew H. · 01-16-2011, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elcreative

Calibre may work but Apple isn't banning an Apple app, these are free apps from the publishers...

Right...but not just free apps from the publisher, but free apps from the publisher that are only free to people who have a paid print subscription.

In other words, the NY Times app will remain free because it's free to everyone. Only apps which are free to print subscribers, but not available to others, or not free to others, are going to be banned.

And I sort of sympathize with Apple on this, since publishers are essentially avoiding paying Apple by charging for the app outside of the app store.

CommonReader · 01-16-2011, 03:34 PM

And why exactly should Apple receive any payments from the publishers? It's not as if Apple had sold the Ipad at a discounted price. The app is only required to compensate for the limited capabilities of the Ipad, after all.

CleverClothe · 01-16-2011, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

And I sort of sympathize with Apple on this, since publishers are essentially avoiding paying Apple by charging for the app outside of the app store.

Offering an app for free is charging for it? Have you been drinking a certain apple flavored drink whose name promises to help you stay at a lower temperature?

goodereader · 01-16-2011, 10:14 PM

This is probibly setting up for Apple and News Corps Daily Project where apple is moving away all of their paid newspapers and magazines away from itunes and the appstore and creating a new entity.

They are mainly doing this because you cannot setup reoccuring charges within itunes/appstore so they are setting up "The Daily" in order to rebill people who subscribe.

This is probibly why they are doing these draconian messasures with small publishers to gravitate them towards the new daily project.

There is an article about it here and why its delayed, it was orignally supposed to go live next wedesday.

http://goodereader.com/blog/tablet-s...ily-newsstand/

elcreative · 01-16-2011, 10:30 PM

If you read the rest of the thread... the "Free" apps are provided to buyers of a paid print subscription so do involve payment...

Quote:

Originally Posted by CleverClothe

Offering an app for free is charging for it? Have you been drinking a certain apple flavored drink whose name promises to help you stay at a lower temperature?

CleverClothe · 01-17-2011, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elcreative

If you read the rest of the thread... the "Free" apps are provided to buyers of a paid print subscription so do involve payment...

But you still don't pay for the app. It is a *FREE* add-on.

CommonReader · 01-17-2011, 02:26 AM

What a parasitic business model. I've subscribed to my newspaper for more than 20 years but I or the publisher are supposed to pay a hefty regular commission to Apple just because they put an app into their store? On top of it all I get a castrated product because Apple's prudishness doesn't tolerate any naked female flesh? No, thanks.

petermillard · 01-17-2011, 03:03 AM

No more parasitic than any retailer or distributor, surely? I think the idea is that the publisher is supposed to pay a commission to Apple because they're using Apple's sales and distribution channel (App store) without currently paying for it; not unreasonably (IMO) Apple want their slice when money's changed hands - or did you think that all those 'free' newspapers and magazines that are given out around our bus and train stations were delivered there for free, that the folks handing them out weren't being paid?

As other's have said, if it serves to push content towards a more usable web experience, then so much the better.

Richey79 · 01-17-2011, 03:40 AM

When they introduced these, it seemed pretty clear that they were an introductory offer to get people used to having their favourite publications delivered instantaneously to them in a glossy and convenient (if somewhat stripped down) format. I'm not particularly surprised or disappointed they've started to charge for them. Personally, I'm as happy getting my news from RSS feeds and PDF magazines.

HTC have two real problems with battery life on their devices. Firstly, some of their phones don't seem to measure correctly how full their battery is, and so stop charging far too early. Secondly, HTC Sense (their modified version of Android with lots of eye-candy added) has some real problems that makes it a gobble batteries.

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01-15-2011, 06:19 PM	#18
bbusybookworm Tech Junkie Posts: 1,027 Karma: 10080 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Earth Device: iPad, MotoXStyle, OnePlusOne	I think that if Apple starts banning Newspapers and other sites which offer a free app to access content that may be part of a larger subscription, it could lead to a slippery slope. I Use Newspaper Direct's PressDisplay service on my iPad everyday in the PressReader App. Now the subscription I have lets me read any newspaper or Magazine they offer on up to six devices including my computer. Now while the app does make it much more convenient to read especially offline (I managed to get through 30 papers and Mags on my last flight) I'm usually connected so I could perhaps switch to reading it in a browser. Having said that what happens when Apple decides that other services like Dropbox, Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, etc which are subscription based but offer access to their service through dedicated apps should pay as well. While some of them could probably be resonably useful through the web, others may not be so.

01-15-2011, 06:49 PM	#19
CazMar Book Geek Posts: 596 Karma: 1499085 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Adelaide, Australia Device: Kobo Touch, Asus MemPad 7" tablet, Nexus 5, Asus 10" tablet	I don't have an Iphone, but would it be possible to do the automatic newsfeed download via Calibre and transfer with to your Iphone? If Apple doesn't want to offer this content then avoiding their app would seem the best way to go. They'll soon get the message when site traffic drops off sharply. On the slightly off-topic of mobile phones, my husband is thinking of ditching his Blackberry and getting an IPhone simply because of the comparative coverage from their providers. A good device can be really let down by poor coverage. My cheap phone gets coverage even in remote parts of outback Australia, his Blackberry just dies!

01-16-2011, 03:34 PM	#23
CommonReader Fanatic Posts: 528 Karma: 2530000 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Sony PRS-T3, PRS-650, Vaio Tap 11, iPad Mini	And why exactly should Apple receive any payments from the publishers? It's not as if Apple had sold the Ipad at a discounted price. The app is only required to compensate for the limited capabilities of the Ipad, after all.

01-16-2011, 10:14 PM	#25
goodereader Banned Posts: 39 Karma: 6106 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Vancouver BC Device: Many, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Pocketbook, Sony etc.	This is probibly setting up for Apple and News Corps Daily Project where apple is moving away all of their paid newspapers and magazines away from itunes and the appstore and creating a new entity. They are mainly doing this because you cannot setup reoccuring charges within itunes/appstore so they are setting up "The Daily" in order to rebill people who subscribe. This is probibly why they are doing these draconian messasures with small publishers to gravitate them towards the new daily project. There is an article about it here and why its delayed, it was orignally supposed to go live next wedesday. http://goodereader.com/blog/tablet-s...ily-newsstand/

01-17-2011, 02:26 AM	#28
CommonReader Fanatic Posts: 528 Karma: 2530000 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Sony PRS-T3, PRS-650, Vaio Tap 11, iPad Mini	What a parasitic business model. I've subscribed to my newspaper for more than 20 years but I or the publisher are supposed to pay a hefty regular commission to Apple just because they put an app into their store? On top of it all I get a castrated product because Apple's prudishness doesn't tolerate any naked female flesh? No, thanks.

01-17-2011, 03:03 AM	#29
petermillard Evangelist Posts: 496 Karma: 2384998 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: London, UK Device: iPad, iPhone, K3 & Amazon - between them they cover my needs.	No more parasitic than any retailer or distributor, surely? I think the idea is that the publisher is supposed to pay a commission to Apple because they're using Apple's sales and distribution channel (App store) without currently paying for it; not unreasonably (IMO) Apple want their slice when money's changed hands - or did you think that all those 'free' newspapers and magazines that are given out around our bus and train stations were delivered there for free, that the folks handing them out weren't being paid? As other's have said, if it serves to push content towards a more usable web experience, then so much the better.

01-17-2011, 03:40 AM	#30
Richey79 mrkrgnao Posts: 241 Karma: 237248 Join Date: May 2010 Device: PRS650, K3 Wireless, Galaxy S3, iPad 3.	When they introduced these, it seemed pretty clear that they were an introductory offer to get people used to having their favourite publications delivered instantaneously to them in a glossy and convenient (if somewhat stripped down) format. I'm not particularly surprised or disappointed they've started to charge for them. Personally, I'm as happy getting my news from RSS feeds and PDF magazines. HTC have two real problems with battery life on their devices. Firstly, some of their phones don't seem to measure correctly how full their battery is, and so stop charging far too early. Secondly, HTC Sense (their modified version of Android with lots of eye-candy added) has some real problems that makes it a gobble batteries.

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