Apple's New E-Magazine Policy Is Bad News For Existing Subscribers

Apple has thrown a wrench into the already waning e-magazine marketplace. The Cupertino, California-based company has told publishers they cannot offer free iPad access to paid print subscribers. The reason: Apple wouldn’t get their 30 percent take. Apple is often considered greedy, and this news certainly falls into that category. Why would existing customers pay extra to see the same publication in electronic format? They wouldn’t. While this decision will almost certainly turn off some, it isn’t all bad news. For one, it could encourage publishers to produce more “exclusive” iPad titles. Martha Stewart Living and Condé Nast have each seen great success by doing just this. Second, Apple’s decision could clear the way for more "iPad-only" publications, such as Project, and the upcoming "The Daily." Finally, Apple might have concluded that most readers who want similar content between a print magazine and its e-magazine counterpart use Zinio for that purpose. What do you think? Why won't Apple let print subscribers get free iPad access to the same magazine? Leave your comments below.

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