Apple unveiled its recurring billing option for iOS apps this week. Previously developers could charge you for an app at the time of purchase, or you could initiate a one-time in-app purchase of additional content or access. With subscriptions, you can now opt to be charged on a regular basis for ongoing content updates such as newspaper or magazine content. Payment would happen through the iTunes system and your iTunes account.
Apple also created new rules for charging for in-app content. App makers can have their own system for collecting subscription fees, as long as the Apple system is also offered as an option. But publishers are unhappy with the rules as Apple takes a larger 30 percent cut of the price. Publishers will also have a harder time reselling customer information from app store purchases, a practice that is a big revenue stream for print magazines.
Apple released its annual Supplier Responsibility Progress Report which details the results of an internal audit of working conditions and environmental issues involving Apple subcontractors.
Problems in the past year include high worker recruitment fees, underage workers, and several suicides in the Chinese factories used to manufacture most of Apple’s hardware. The report details violations and steps Apple has taken to better the situation.
“Thanks to Ping, now all my friends know how boring and unhip my music collection is.”
This morning Apple and Verizon stores began selling the iPhone specifically built for the Verizon network in the U.S. Lines were tiny or non-existant because many ordered online up to a week ago. Some estimates put the pre-orders at as much as one million phones. Another reason for small lines is that the Verizon iPhone is available today at Best Buy and Walmart as well as Apple and Verizon, which may spread out demand.
Of course the Verizon iPhone isn’t really a new product either. It is essentially the same iPhone 4 that AT&T customers had had since last summer. Some buyers may be waiting for the next generation of the iPhone, expected by most for this summer.
More rumors this week of the next generation iPad. Some report that Apple has already started production, which would be in line with an April release. There is even a far-fetched rumor that a third generation iPad may be out this fall.
The guy at the Genius Bar told me the same thing I read in my “for dummies” book. I guess I’m having trouble because I’m somewhere in between.
Verizon customers started pre-ordering their iPhones this morning. The device should be in actual users’ hands by this time next week. Meanwhile, reviewers have noted good call quality while confirming that voice and data cannot be used at the same time.
Apple Stores will open early on February 10 to start selling the Verizon version of the iPhone. In addition to Apple Stores and Verizon Stores, Best Buy will also be selling the Verizon iPhone.
The long-anticipated iPad-only newspaper, The Daily, launched yesterday. The design is similar to many iPad magazine apps, with text, animation, audio and video. The Daily is the first app to feature Apple’s new subscription payment model. You can sign up for a recurring $0.99 per week payment to continue to receive The Daily. It is being offered for the first two weeks for free.
“I’d switch to Verizon but I’d have to pay more than $200 to break my AT&T contract.”
Even when Apple doesn’t release a new product it seems to know how to make headlines. The iOS App Store had its 10 billionth app download this week and Apple celebrated with a contest giving one lucky app buyer a $10,000 iTunes gift card.
The 10 billion number is significant when you realize it was done in about 2.5 years. Adoption of the iTunes Music store was much slower, taking about three times as long to reach 10 billion. But then again, the app store is filled with free content which probably accounted for a majority of the downloads.
There was an update to iMovie 11 this week. Version 9.0.2 fixes a nasty bug that plagued many people who found that audio was out of sync when they exported their video.
As the Verizon launch of the iPhone draws nearer we’re seeing some interesting things. Verizon has begun to run commercials for the iPhone thanking customers that stuck with them and “who never stopped believing this day would come.” Apple has an ad that shows both AT&T and Verizon next to each other: “two are better than one.”
AT&T would like to hold on to existing customers too, and has reportedly been offering their old unlimited data plan to those that call and ask. Verizon will be offering unlimited data for $30/month, but indicated that that plan will be phased out in the future.
He heard that Macs are safe from viruses, and he doesn’t want to get the flu this season.
When I first became a parent I was given a copy of Love and Logic, a parenting book. I recommend it. It is a lot of common sense stuff that should be obvious about parenting, but for some reason isn’t.
Among the many ideas in there is the idea of giving children a choice. For instance, if we were to tell our daughter “you must wear this shirt” we may get some resistance depending upon whether she liked the shirt or not. But if we give her two choices of shirts to wear, she is thrilled at the chance to make a choice, even though it is a small one. Sometimes the second shirt we pick is one we know she doesn’t like anyway. You get the idea.
