Don't Be Trigger Happy And Order An Apple Subscription Just Yet
February 3, 2011
Despite the hype surrounding The Daily’s debut, not much is known about the accompanying Apple subscription service, which is also now live. It lets publishers set subscription prices for iOS magazines and newspapers, while Apple collects the fees using iTunes.
The Daily is available free for two weeks thanks to sponsorship provided by Verizon Wireless. After this, users can select a weekly subscription for $.99. A yearly subscription is also available for $39.99, which is 20 percent off the daily rate.
With typical newbie curiosity fueling me, I attempted to setup a weekly subscription. While everything appeared to work fine, I’m not completely convinced.
At this point, subscriptions can only be placed within the iPad app itself and not through TheDaily.com website or iTunes.
The subscription management system is located in the app's Settings under Account Information. Once you determine which plan you want, you will be asked to confirm your subscription, which will automatically renew once a week or on a yearly basis, depending on which plan you have selected.
From there you will be prompted to allow “the publisher” to give out your personal information. This includes: your name, zip code, and email. I don’t know where this information goes, besides to the publisher, The Daily Holdings.
Gathering this type of information is typical of any publisher, both print and online.
Once this was completed, I received an email from Apple confirming my subscription.
In addition, under Store, my iPad settings changed. Under View Apple ID is now a section called Manage App Subscriptions. From here, I can see my subscription for The Daily, and have the option to turn off its auto-renewal feature.
Strangely, despite my email confirmation, I am not sure my subscription is actually valid. It appears as though my weekly subscription overwrote the free two-week trial. However, my credit card has not yet been charged. In either case, the process doesn't appear fully functional.
A call placed to Apple to question this went unanswered.
At this morning’s event, Apple's VP of Internet Services, Eddy Cue, indicated his company would have more to say about its subscription service in the next few days.
For our readers, I’d recommend enjoying your free subscription and not initiate an actual subscription until we hear more from Cupertino, California.
Besides, why pay for something you can get free for two weeks?
