wow http://techcrunch.com/2011/02/15/apple-launches-subscriptions-for-content-publishers-on-the-app-store/ 2:54 PM apple just fucked over online music subs for the iphone 2:54 PM presumably in anticipation of launching their own streaming sub later in the year 2:55 PM (i don't imagine spotify's margins are anywhere near 30%, so subs via itunes are useless to them, for example) 2:55 PM RJ: wonder how they split "when Apple brings a new customer" vs "when the publisher brings" 2:55 PM matt: if you signup on, eg spotify's website, that's "the publisher brings" 2:56 PM yeah, that's what I figured 2:56 PM but you are forbidden from having a link to that from within the app 2:56 PM wow, that sucks 2:56 PM ouch 2:56 PM so basically, people on the iphone will *always* subscribe using itunes, because it's easier 2:56 PM so yeah, any appstore-based discovery (ie. featured) means the 30% applies 2:56 PM eeeek 2:56 PM better for the consumer, except many services can't survive a 30pc loss of revenue 2:57 PM not in music, anyway 2:57 PM it's especially harsh that they're enforcing the app price to be the same or less through the app store 2:57 PM slightly less of an issue for some other content, however some publishers will have deals where they only get <=30% of net sale price etc.. and it fucks them just as bad 2:57 PM should be fun to watch the ensuing shitstorm 2:58 PM indeed :-/