How app subscriptions work, the pros and cons for consumers and developers, and examples of apps using creative subscription models.

This episode is sponsored by:

This episode of AppStories is sponsored by:

• Drafts) - Where text starts.

• Drafts screencast series with David Sparks)

• MailButler) - Your personal assistant for Apple Mail.

Links and Show Notes

Background

• Choosing a Business Model)

• Apple announces subscriptions for all apps)

• Subscriptions – Developer Documentation)

• App Bundles - Developer Documentation)

• In-App Purchases - Developer Documentation)

• Apple Announces In-App Purchases For Free iPhone Applications)

• Top App Publishers of Q1 2017: 10 Largest Accounted for 67% of All Revenue)

• Managing Subscriptions - iOS)

• Managing Subscriptions – Mac)

On the limitations of subscriptions and the argument against them, including some examples of low-cost subscriptions for premium features:

• App Review Guideline 3.1.2(a))

• Apple Interview with Brian Mueller, maker of CARROT Weather)

• More on CARROT Weather’s Business Model)

• CARROT Weather)

• 1Password)

• Weather Underground)

• Stamp Pack)

• Fiery Feeds)

• Parcel)

• Phil Schiller on App Store Upgrade Pricing)

Some iOS apps that are using auto-renewable subscriptions in creative ways:

• Bear)

• App in the Air)

• Outlinely)

• Remotely)

• Zombies, Run)

• AstroPad Studio)

• Manifest: Time Tracker)

• RadarScope)

Other well-known companies that have also switched to auto-renewable subscriptions on the App Store:

• Todoist)

• 1Password)

• Evernote)

• Newton)

• Box)

• Autodesk Sketchbook)

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• John Voorhees)