Adobe has jumped on as sponsor for WIRED‘s iPad app for the month of May, making it free right now – normally $3.99.
Start by downloading the free WIRED app. Then follow prompts to buy the May issue. Andy Samberg talks to Chris Hardwick about web comedy, and how the internet is saving comedy.
This issue may be funny, but I have a feeling magazine and newspaper publishers aren’t exactly laughing right now. This may be a sign of deperate times for publishers on Apple’s digital newsstand. Or, it could just be an experiment to see what business model will work for them in this new age. In any case, something must change if old dead tree media has any chance for survival.
Currently WIRED isn’t offering a subscription, so issues must be purchased individually via the app. I’m sure they are biding their time until Apple’s subscription policy deadline hits June 30th. After that, publishers will be required to use the In App Purchase API to be in compliance. Apple will receive 30% of revenue, just as they do now and “if a publisher is making a subscription offer outside of the app, the same (or better) offer be made inside the app.”
e.g. WIRED is offering a digital subscription on a Google ad for $12.99 per year, they must also offer that same price in the app where it is subject to a 30% commission to Apple. Their revenue of $12.99 will shrink to just over $9 for anything purchased via Apple’s dead simple in-app purchase method.
What do you think about the normal pricing? Is $3.99 too expensive for a digital edition? What would you pay for an annual subscription of WIRED for iPad?
WIRED for iPad [App Store, May 2011 issue, FREE]
[via TNW]