Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple and Time Inc. Reach Deal to Allow Print Subscribers Free iPad Access
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Most US magazines do NOT do this (in the very post you commented on, minimac noted that Wired doesn't, either -- and they're wired!). And it's not quite as simple as "entering credentials in an app", since many print subscribers have no online relationship with the publisher.
A magazine could create an app that mirrors the "manage your account" of their websites, where you enter your mailing address or account number. Maybe they think consumers would prefer to use a central (Apple store) account. I would.
Both sides are being greedy, but I think Apple is a bit worse -- they want a 30% cut *and* the subscriber relationship, which often leads to more income via add-on sales. If publishers have to pay 30%, they should get the customer details.
Just because it doesn't work for you doesn't mean it's not welcome. It's welcomed by me!
I read my print magazine while I work out at the gym. It's a great time-distraction for me. There's no way I'll take my ipad to the gym. Being able to continue reading at home on my ipad is going to be great for me.
Apple doesn't understand magazines are disposable media
I think is just continues to highlight a flaw with Apple's policies concerning subscriptions. If the iPad weren't selling as well as it is, Apple would surely not be trying this approach. Apple once had great dominance, and I do recall it was arrogance that led them into near bankruptcy once before. They need to revisit how they treat periodicals. Google's model is friendly, and that's why Android Tablets are getting subscriptions and the iPad is not. I think Apple would make more money with a 10% cut of subscriptions than the very poor sales numbers of individual issues at 30%. I like 52 copies of Entertainment Weekly for $20 a year... I'll put up with the magazine piling up before I drop $4 each on them for the iPad and spend $208 a year, which is $198 I could have spent elsewhere in the App Store. Oh wait, they don't offer Entertainment Weekly in the App store? Gee, can't imagine why. Same can be said for Time Magazine, commonly bought for $26 a year with a $4.99 cover price.
Apple just doesn't get it. Unlike music, movies, apps, etc. periodicals are DISPOSABLE media. It's not like a book I'll read again someday. For some of us, periodicals on a tablet are a huge draw to a device. It's in my top 5 "why I should buy" lists, and it's one of the things that has me holding off on the iPad. I look at a tablet not just as a bridge device, but a means to shrink physical things in my house.
I think is just continues to highlight a flaw with Apple's policies concerning subscriptions. If the iPad weren't selling as well as it is, Apple would surely not be trying this approach. Apple once had great dominance, and I do recall it was arrogance that led them into near bankruptcy once before. They need to revisit how they treat periodicals. Google's model is friendly, and that's why Android Tablets are getting subscriptions and the iPad is not. I think Apple would make more money with a 10% cut of subscriptions than the very poor sales numbers of individual issues at 30%. I like 52 copies of Entertainment Weekly for $20 a year... I'll put up with the magazine piling up before I drop $4 each on them for the iPad and spend $208 a year, which is $198 I could have spent elsewhere in the App Store. Oh wait, they don't offer Entertainment Weekly in the App store? Gee, can't imagine why. Same can be said for Time Magazine, commonly bought for $26 a year with a $4.99 cover price.
Apple just doesn't get it. Unlike music, movies, apps, etc. periodicals are DISPOSABLE media. It's not like a book I'll read again someday. For some of us, periodicals on a tablet are a huge draw to a device. It's in my top 5 "why I should buy" lists, and it's one of the things that has me holding off on the iPad. I look at a tablet not just as a bridge device, but a means to shrink physical things in my house.
This is awesome! I have a multi-year subscription to Fortune and there is no way I was going to pay for another $5 per issue to read it on my iPad. I would rather use the electronic version and maybe at some point have the option to renew via app only and get rid of all the paper! But this is definitely a step in the right direction.
Why not just gift the physical copy to someone else who might want to read it, and keep the ipad subscription for yourself?
Kinda a silly statement. The big issue was the huge price gap between the digital copy and the physical copy. I could get a years subscription to the print version of TIME for about $30 or I could've bought each copy of the digital version for $5 each ($260 a year). It was ridiculous to me that digital versions that cost so much, especially since they cost so much less to produce and distribute. I'm happy as a clam to have my $30 subscription on my ipad. I do agree that I wouldn't mind an option to go 'paperless', but up until this morning that option cost you a premium of an additional $230. I promise I'll recycle my print version.
Oh, and radiation...Do you have any idea how many radio-waves and microwaves you're getting blasted with just existing in the modern world. Don't want to burst your bubble, but I don't think avoiding an ipad is going to save you.
Well this is a great deal for us small business owners. I get professional discounts and usually keep paper copies at the office for clients and patients.
Now I am going to order Fortune and SI in addition to the Entertainment Weekly and People Magazine we already order.
Now I am going to order Fortune and SI in addition to the Entertainment Weekly and People Magazine we already order.
I think the honorable thing to do would be to buy the print subscription, then donate the print copies to a hospital or school. It would be nice if you could set that up automatically to happen.
How do I get the free digital version of the fortune app issues with my current print subscription?
I just downloaded the Fortune App that was updated May 2nd but the link for app support on Fortunes website hasn't been updated.
I guess we'll find out soon
I just downloaded the Fortune App that was updated May 2nd but the link for app support on Fortunes website hasn't been updated.
I guess we'll find out soon
How do I get the free digital version of the fortune app issues with my current print subscription?
I just downloaded the Fortune App that was updated May 2nd but the link for app support on Fortunes website hasn't been updated.
I guess we'll find out soon
Not sure about Fortune. With Time, you just start the app and there's a button for existing subscribers. Then you just enter the account number from the shipping label on one of your magazines and your email. Worked like a champ.
very much on point.
the cost of the sub should be less, not significantly, but less. many of the mags i sub to must send the print version - i don't get it.
the other issue is a monthly mag that only does print, then, a year later, offers the pdf as a set of 12 for a high price.
(there is very little need for snail mail paper style any more for me at least - it seems ridiculous to waste the money on it. snail mail is necessary for some, maybe most people, but i'd rather my mags be on a device.)
Couldn't this bite them in the ass? My mom doesn't have an iPad but does have a Time subscription. I don't want a Time print subscription but would love an iPad subscription... oh wait, I just got a free iPad subscription. Hey mom, what's your print subscription account number? (or whatever info they used to verify)