From now on when you see a popular App that happens to be free on the Appstore then you better check the fine print because Apple has just approved the ability to allow Apps to charge a subscription fee to let you even access the content inside of it. The App Store previously allowed in-App purchases through your iTunes account and will now also allow subscription fees to be charged as well.
There has been no word as to how many games will actually be using this subscription based method of transaction but it could be dark times ahead for anyone who enjoys taking Farmville with them on their phone or simply enjoying something like Lil’ Pirates on their iDevice.
CEO Steve Jobs said this during the approval of the subscription fees:
“Our philosophy is simple — when Apple brings a new subscriber to the app, Apple earns a 30 percent share; when the publisher brings an existing or new subscriber to the app, the publisher keeps 100 percent and Apple earns nothing. All we require is that, if a publisher is making a subscription offer outside of the app, the same (or better) offer be made inside the app, so that customers can easily subscribe with one-click right in the app. We believe that this innovative subscription service will provide publishers with a brand new opportunity to expand digital access to their content onto the iPad, iPod touch and iPhone, delighting both new and existing subscribers.”
