Apple’s recent decision to allow app developers to facilitate subscription services into their products has raised some concerns amongst the development community, but the move is largely a good one for consumers – at least where iPad magazines are concerned.
Up until now, iPad magazines have simply been an unjustifiable cost for many – with individual issues selling at the same price as their print equivalent, but with no option for saving money on a subscription.
News Ltd’s highly-publicized foray into digital journalism with the announcement of The Daily – a continuously updated iPad-only magazine – set the standard for subscriptions, with a weekly subscription available for $0.99 or a year for $39.99.
Popular Science was one of the very first magazines released on iPad, and has been one of the most innovative in terms of interactivity, intelligent design and ease of use. Leading the way in the lastest round of subscription pricing, you can now pick up a 12 month subscription to Popular Science for $14.99. The current (March) edition of Popular Science can be picked up for $4.99, with previous editions discounted to $2.99.
Only just released to iPad last week, Elle – a fashion-centric monthly magazine for women, is now available with current and back issues priced at $3.99 each, while a 12 month subscription will set you back $18.99.
Another new release in the female fashion sphere, popular magazine Nylon is now available at $2.99 an issue or just $9.99 for a full year’s subscription.
And while a subscription service will no doubt become standard for iPad magazines from now on, an annual subscription option is as yet unavailable for many popular iPad magazines, including Conde Nast publications Wired, GQ, The New Yorker, Glamour and Vanity Fair. People, TIME ($4.99/issue)