When will the App Store support Monthly subscriptions

[ssheinfi]

I am creating an app which would be better served as a monthly subscription service (e.g. $.99/month" versus a one time fee of $4.99). Any information on when the App store may have this an an option?

 

[evilyankeefan]

I'll bite. What type of app do you believe fits this model?

 

[jaseone]

I am creating an app which would be better served as a monthly subscription service (e.g. $.99/month" versus a one time fee of $4.99). Any information on when the App store may have this an an option?

I doubt it will ever, just handle that outside of the app store and have your users sign up for an account through the app and then charge them the subscription through there. There is at least one other app that does that already, that one that allows you to remote back into your PC using their online service and client side tool to manage the connections to get around firewalls.

 

[firewood]

web app

Try a doing a web app instead. Lot's of those listed on Apple's web app page require monthly subscriptions already. Do one web page free and one requiring subscription.

Then make your installed app do something useful by itself, in addition to optionally using data from either your free and your subscribed web portal.

 

[Greencardman]

Why not price it at free and have the user pay for a subscription inside the app or through a website? You also don't have to pay Apple 30% that way.

 

[ssheinfi]

Thank you

This has been very helpful. Great ideas. Very much appreciated.

 

[DarkNight79]

Why not price it at free and have the user pay for a subscription inside the app or through a website? You also don't have to pay Apple 30% that way.

That violates Apple's Terms of Service. If you do manage to slip it through and get it live, Apple will pull your app if they get wind of it.

There's a rumor that XM/Sirius Satellite radio are preparing to launch their first joint app on the iPhone. Since their whole business model is subscription, I doubt that they'll just give it away for free.

 

[Night Spring]

That violates Apple's Terms of Service. If you do manage to slip it through and get it live, Apple will pull your app if they get wind of it.

Why do you say that? I've seen many apps in the app store where you have to subscribe to a separate paid subscription service in order to use them. Here's just one example:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=281826146&mt=8

 

[ucfgrad93]

I really don't see Apple ever doing something like that. But you never know. MLB at Bat is supposed to be a yearly charge, so it is possible they could do something like what you want.

 

[Niiro13]

There are two ways:

Like stated above, you can simply make your application require a sign up.

And no, this does not violate Apple's terms...otherwise Apple made a huge mistake calling salesforce.com to demonstrate their salesforce application...which last I checked requires a monthly service.

You can also choose to relist your application...that way it's theoretically different than your previous application...making people pay again. I think that's what MLB's gonna do.

 

[ssheinfi]

Thank you all again. There seem to be a variety of ways to pull this off. I'm really very appreciative of the time and thought that you have put into your replies. Very generous!

 

[slidetounlock]

That violates Apple's Terms of Service. If you do manage to slip it through and get it live, Apple will pull your app if they get wind of it.

There's a rumor that XM/Sirius Satellite radio are preparing to launch their first joint app on the iPhone. Since their whole business model is subscription, I doubt that they'll just give it away for free.

Just to comment geekstoolbox and nicemac are offering a sirius/xm service, as well as usirius, they should be free according to the developers i trade emails with while testing their software. So they most likey wont charge.

I personally doubt sirius or xm will launch their own app, as it would dampers sales of the inno and stilletos(sp?)....anyway either way Sirius/XM will be here soon, what I want is slingbox to come up already!