Should Apple bundle it's hardware and services into a monthly subscription plan?

[Rogifan]

Philip Elmer Dewitt ponders the question on his site.

http://fortune.com/2016/02/01/apple-monthification-recurring-payments/?xid=yahoo_fortune

I would sign up for something like that in a heartbeat. Especially if they offered one AppleCare package for everything. I'd pay Apple between $95-$100/mo. And if Wall Street is looking for more revenue predictability this would be one way of starting to achieve that. It wouldn't work for everyone of course but I'm hoping the iPhone upgrade program means it's something Apple is at leas thinking about.

 

[maflynn]

I think that's the direction Apple is trying to go, though I don't think we'll seem a combine monthly fee for all of their services.

 

[Possumgal]

Oh, please, don't give them ideas. :>

 

[Ulenspiegel]

God save us from monthly fees....

 

[Flow39]

I hate monthly fees. Paying $100 per month for something like this is crazy, because, as the article says, "Consumers will be reminded of the cost of their devices month after month" rather than buying those devices and only thinking about it once.

Different strokes for different folks, as they say.

 

[von franklin]

$50 a month for iCloud storage iPhone Upgrade Program and TV Streaming Apple Music with a option to pay it yearly most def

 

[OLDCODGER]

NO! Absolutely not!

If I buy it, 'smine!

 

[Ulenspiegel]

NO! Absolutely not!

If I buy it, 'smine!

+1. Exactly! If I pay, I own.

 

[Zirel]

No, but bundling various cloud services, yes, as long as you save money on that...

 

[Tech198]

I think the reverse is true... Apple wants to keep their stuff unbundled

if they offered for 'all u can get' subscription that includes Apple music, iTunes Match, icloud storage etc all for $100 a month, i would say 'no' users want choice, and subscriptions are anything but choice...

Maybe if they offered a subscription in addition, but then who would use it ? unless it was discounted, i can't see Apple doing that.

There is such a thing as paying *too much* for something. Others just portray it as "value" to get out of the loop.

 

[jagooch]

Offer free basic service and pay for upper tier service. The free part should satisfy most people, and power users who want things like 30 TB storage, personalized domains, alarm service integrated with Apple HomeKit, etc would pay more the services.

 

[Tech198]

Philip Elmer Dewitt ponders the question on his site.

http://fortune.com/2016/02/01/apple-monthification-recurring-payments/?xid=yahoo_fortune

I would sign up for something like that in a heartbeat. Especially if they offered one AppleCare package for everything. I'd pay Apple between $95-$100/mo. And if Wall Street is looking for more revenue predictability this would be one way of starting to achieve that. It wouldn't work for everyone of course but I'm hoping the iPhone upgrade program means it's something Apple is at leas thinking about.

The only problem with a bundle is u can't pick and choose anymore.... Either you have it all or nothing...

This is the reason why u get away from cable packages in the first place, so why would u want a bundle back (regardless in what shape or form)

This keeps users more control..

I wouldn't have a problem paying yearly fee providing its not bundled with other stuff.