Apple Tests App Store Bundle Subscription Discounts

[MacRumors]

Apple has announced an App Store pilot program called "contingent pricing" that lets app developers offer discounts to customers with multiple subscriptions.

Developers can offer contingent pricing to customers who already have subscriptions "from one developer or two different developers." For example, a developer could attract customers to a subscription by offering discounted pricing if they have an active subscription with another developer.

Contingent pricing for subscriptions on the App Store — a new feature that helps you attract and retain subscribers — lets you give customers a discounted subscription price as long as they're actively subscribed to a different subscription.

As noted by 9to5Mac, the discounts can be used in App Store advertising and marketing outside of the store, in addition to within the app itself.

Apple says it is starting the pilot with a select group of participants before rolling it out to more developers in the coming months. Developers interested in contingent pricing can sign up to get notified when more details are available in January.

Article Link: Apple Tests App Store Bundle Subscription Discounts

 

[GuruZac]

Jesus, we are quickly headed to a place where everything in your life will be a subscription lol.

 

[WiiDSmoker]

Jesus, we are quickly headed to a place where everything in your life will be a subscription lol.

Own nothing. Pay forever.

 

[scorpio vega]

Jesus, we are quickly headed to a place where everything in your life will be a subscription lol.

I am pretty sure we aren't headed there, we are already there

 

[RealE]

lets you give customers a discounted subscription price as long as they're actively subscribed to a different subscription.

The march down Subscription Everything Road continues. Our only way out is to not subscribe.

 

[Dremmel]

Greed is good.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don't have a problem with this model. I think it will be beneficial for Apple, developers, and many Apple users. I have drastically cut down the subs I have. I make a point to look for 1 time / lifetime purchases when possible.

 

[scorpio vega]

I honestly don't mind subscription but they really do need to start bundling more. I'll pay a bit more for one big bundle (ala apple one) but paying individually for each thing is crazy.

So this is not a terrible idea "Contingency bundling". It likely will build up their audiences/userbase but they can offer multiple services at a discounted rate.

 

[nottorp]

If Apple actually cared about their customers as they pretend to, they should instead discourage both subscriptions and free with in app purchases.

 

[Yrmmont]

I believe I an the only person who does not subscribe to anything: no newspaper, no software, no nothing.
If I can’t purchase it, I don’t want it.

 

[scorpio vega]

If Apple actually cared about their customers as they pretend to, they should instead discourage both subscriptions and free with in app purchases.

and what? screw developers over that help sustain the app store?
Come on be real.

you guys really want apple to be the bad guy.

 

[sw1tcher]

Apple has announced an App Store pilot program called "contingent pricing" that lets app developers offer discounts to customers with multiple subscriptions.

So Apple wants to entice app developers to reduce their revenue.

When will Apple offer app developers "contingent pricing" when it comes to taking a percentage cut of sales?

"Apple will offer contingent pricing to app developers where subscribers have subscriptions "from one developer or two different developers." For example, Apple would reduce their cut of sales by X percent/amount to an app developer if an active subscriber has an active subscription with another developer."


Nah. Never gonna happen.

 

[Fender2112]

This sounds interesting if I can bundle all my streaming services together. Between myself and my wife, we have 4 video and 2 music stream subscriptions. It would be nice to consolidate all of these to one "hub".

As for software subscriptions, as business owner, I am fine with subscriptions as long as the cost is reasonable, and I find value in the software.

 

[Skyscraperfan]

Subscriptions are bad because they basically cost an infinite amount of money, if we manage to find a way to live forever. And it is not encouraging that only your death will prevent you from having to pay that infinite amount.

Even in a limited span of let's say 50 years a subscription costs a staggering amount of money. $10 per month is $6,000 in 50 years and that does not even include price increases.

 

[MacsRgr8]

Jesus, we are quickly headed to a place where everything in your life will be a subscription lol.

Yep... rent a house, private-lease a car, financial-lease your IT equipment, subscribe to software and services.
Everything paid monthly, prices go steadily up by c.a. 5-10% annually....

 

[floral]

Get the Gold Member plan to get 50% off of the No Ads plan, and get both of those plans to get 20% off of the Premium plan, but only the yearly version, and subscribe to at least two of the three Deluxe plans to get access to our private member's-only lounge which gets 5 members maximum.

No refunds.

 

[Jason2000]

Yep... rent a house, private-lease a car, financial-lease your IT equipment, subscribe to software and services.
Everything paid monthly, prices go steadily up by c.a. 5-10% annually....

Don't be ridiculous. Prices do not go up 5-10% annually.

 

[AppleTO]

I believe I an the only person who does not subscribe to anything: no newspaper, no software, no nothing.
If I can’t purchase it, I don’t want it.

I’m going to guess that you probably subscribe to internet and mobile phone services at the very minimum.

 

[User 6502]

and what? screw developers over that help sustain the app store?
Come on be real.

you guys really want apple to be the bad guy.

We have been able to buy software for years and developers were coping fairly well, some actually became huge studios with hundreds or even thousand employees. Subscription are a new thing, it is not necessary and it is anti consumer. I avoid them at all cost. If I can’t buy an app and it’s subscription only I just delete it.

 

[User 6502]

I’m going to guess that you probably subscribe to internet and mobile phone services at the very minimum.

You’ll notice that these are services as opposed to apps that don’t provide an ongoing service but somewhat think they deserve to be paid for one.

 

[User 6502]

Don't be ridiculous. Prices do not go up 5-10% annually.

They have lately. It is not like that all the time but it definitely does happen and is infect happening right now.

 

[SpanishAppleNerd]

I do not think the age of the subscription is coming, it is already here. My stance is like @scorpio vega 's, I don't mind at all paying for subscriptions, but I prefer big bundles whenever possible. And lifetime purchases. I jumped from Lightroom and Photoshop to Pixelmator Pro and Photomator only to avoid the Adobe fee

 

[SpanishAppleNerd]

Own nothing. Pay forever.

Being pedantic here, but you own the right to use whatever you subscribe to

 

[toobravetosave]

If Apple actually cared about their customers as they pretend to, they should instead discourage both subscriptions and free with in app purchases.

Apple pioneered both of those things on purpose

Keep dreaming

 

[scorpio vega]

We have been able to buy software for years and developers were coping fairly well, some actually became huge studios with hundreds or even thousand employees. Subscription are a new thing, it is not necessary and it is anti consumer. I avoid them at all cost. If I can’t buy an app and it’s subscription only I just delete it.

It's bad for you but for people who maybe can't afford to spend $200 upfront on a software that they may only use once but can afford that $9.99 purchase a month it is good for them. So it is not anti-consumer.

What's not necessary for you, doesnt mean it is anti-consumer. Honestly, it just sounds like being cheap to me.