Roger Fingas
Apple will soon reportedly allow publishers to offer subscription-only articles through iOS's News app, gating some content behind paywalls normally reserved for separate apps or the Web.
The move is an attempt to cope with publisher complaints that Apple is sharing too little data about the people reading articles, sources informed Reuters. Apple's strict approach to privacy has been a complaint not just about News but about other services like iAd, since many companies depend on detailed demographics for advertising.
The sources didn't say, however, how subscribers might be authenticated in News, or whether Apple might offer in-app subscription options and claim a cut of revenues. Apple takes a 30 percent cut of the subscription revenue for third-party iOS apps, even though it doesn't produce or host any of the content.
Some publications that do have paywalls are already in News, but get around the lack of subscription barriers by offering just a selection of articles for free, or redirecting people to websites where readers have to log in.
Another unknown is how or when Apple might update News with subscription support. The technology is missing in betas of iOS 9.3, which would likely leave an update months away at best. Another possibility is that Apple might wait even longer to fold the feature into iOS 10.
Christine McKee
Andrew Orr
Charles Martin
Marko Zivkovic
Wesley Hilliard
15 Comments
I want it here in Spain. I don't understand why I can't access the News app versions of free blogs like AI or Daring Fireball, or whatever free content for that matter.
Stupid idea.
That's fine, as long as there is an option to keep pay-only articles out of my feed. Right now there is not and they show up like all other content. Irritating to open a "top story" and have all but the first paragraph behind a pay wall.
This is a real benefit for Apple and the publishers. There are plenty of people who don't mind paying extra for a premium experience. Even if it is only 1% Apple will still make a fortune by having them as premium customers.