Financial Times outs web-based iOS app, Newsstand shaking with anger
Share:
This eats away at the profit the publications are making, and that is why there was a public outcry against this haircut by many publishers. FT, however, found a way around Apple's 30% subscription charge by coding an HTML5 webpage that looks and behaves like an app, which can be accessed via a simple URL in a browser, thus avoiding the App Store subscription fee, and still offering a Financial Times app to iOS users.
Once you visit the URL on your iOS device, you can add the app to a homescreen, and have your articles stored for offline viewing, if that's your thing. A service called Clippings for reading content later on any device will be added, too.
They coded in HTML5, since the nascent web standard allows to tailor this app for other mobile operating systems afterwards, like Android, for example. Moreover, updates don't need to be approved, as it would be the case inside the App Store, and thus rolled out faster, and without restrictions.
This might really start a trend for other publications to follow, thus emptying the virtual shelves of Apple's fancy new subscription management app Newsstand, that was announced the other day when iOS 5 was unveiled. Have a look at Financial Times's web-based iOS app demo in the video below.
source: FT via TechCrunch
Share:
Microsoft might be making its own-brand Windows 8 tablet 
Teen finds a simple way for updating to iOS 5 beta, going back might not 
-
Exclusive: HTC One Mini will be coming to AT&T
-
Video of iOS 7 on iPad may show faster boot time
-
@DroidLanding comes back online, new DROID on the way?
-
Huawei open to acquiring Nokia, but calls Windows Phone "weak"
-
Despicable Me: Minion Rush Review
-
Case allegedly for low-cost Apple iPhone appears on video with rounded edges, thicker frame
9 Comments
2. protozeloz posted on 08 Jun 2011, 08:43 0
well played.... we may see more developers focusing on the web and its potential to avoid certain fees and restrictions
4. Droid_X_Doug posted on 08 Jun 2011, 09:20 0
I doubt this story s over. If FT copied the 'look-and-feel' of Apple-licensed functions (like in-app purchasing), there is probably a copyright infringement lawsuit awaiting....
6. joey18 posted on 08 Jun 2011, 10:18 0
nothing is free with live in america if wan everthing free go to china
8. 530gemini posted on 08 Jun 2011, 14:48 0
I really don't know why they charge for news. Don't they have ads to support them? News should be free.
11. Forsaken77 posted on 09 Jun 2011, 12:50 0
You get charged when you buy a newspaper right? Well this is a digital newspaper. These news outlets pay ALOT of employees, reporters, and photographers. I doubt the advertisements for the app covers even 10% of that. The actual paper ads generate more income than app ads.
10. taco50 (banned) posted on 08 Jun 2011, 21:46 0
Hey that's their option and anyone else's. What will be intereting is how much market share they get through iOS vs those that choose the app store and newsstand.
