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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