Apple App Store rolls out subscription service

Apple app fans are given a new way to access content...

Apple has launched a subscription service for the Apple App Store, which will allow content-based app publishers to charge subscriptions to downloaders.

Users can purchase subscriptions in the same way that one-off apps can be bought, with app publishers able to set the price and length of subscription.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs hopes the service will encourage developers to spread their apps across the iPad, iPhone and iPod
Photo: Chris Harrison

In a statement released by Apple, CEO Steve Jobs explained the subscription process. "Our philosophy is simple - when Apple brings a new subscriber to the app, Apple earns a 30 per cent share; when the publisher brings an existing or new subscriber to the app, the publisher keeps 100 per cent and Apple earns nothing."

silicon.com recently reported that total mobile app downloads were set to reach 17.7 billion in 2011, according to a forecast by analyst house Gartner. With mobile app revenues expected to reach $15.1bn, Apple hopes the latest development to the Apple App Store will keep it ahead of rivals such as Android Market, Nokia's Ovi Store and Samsung Apps.

Jobs added that he believed the subscription service would "provide publishers with a brand-new opportunity to expand digital access to their content onto the iPad, iPod and iPhone".