Google announces ‘One Pass’ subscription solution for publishers [video]

Software

Just one day after Apple made its App Store subscription service available to publishers, Google has already responded by announcing a similar service for its Android platform. The solution will also work in Web-based clients, allowing publishers to reach users on multiple platforms with a single solution. Much like Apple’s implementation, Google’s One Pass provides users with a single interface where they can access and manage all of their digital newspaper, magazine and other content subscriptions. Unlike App Store subscriptions, however, Google gives publishers much more freedom with regard to pricing models and flexibility. Publishers will also be able to give free or reduced subscriptions to paid print subscribers, and they can even utilize a freemium model if they so desire. Hit the break for a video from Google outlining the One Pass product.

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9 Comments
  • Anonymous

    So let’s review. Google follows Apple into mobile phones, app stores, books, tablets, and subscription services. A music service, again following Apple, is also coming. In light of this, Google should just scrap its R&D and strategic planning departments. It seems all they need to do is follow Apple’s moves on tech blogs, then follow them. Google has suddenly become a technology follower.

    • Don’t Get It Twisted

      Based on the overwhelming popularity of the android platform and the considerable outpouring of disgust from content publishers around the way apple is mishandling their subscription content, it would appear that just being first isn’t enough – you also have to maintain the position of first when competitors with better ways of doing things come along. By your reasoning there should only ever be one brand of anything (presumably apple in your case). You can’t honestly be implying that google only offers things that apple originally came up with. Last time I checked apple is a hardware company that produces innovative software and to my knowledge google itself doesn’t manufacture a single piece of hardware. They may brand themselves on the nexus line and google tv line but those devices are from other manufacturers. So let’s review – the apple forums for being blind to any other brand’s actual positioning in the market are located elsewhere.

      • Anonymous

        You’re reaching a bit. I never said there couldn’t be multiple mobile phone platforms, book services, tablets, etc. I merely said that Google seems to follow Apple. I never defined that as “good” or “bad,” just that those are the facts.

        Also, I never implied that Google “only” offers things that Apple. Ninety-five percent of Google’s revenue comes from AdWords and AdSense, which they didn’t get from Apple. But That was years ago, kind of like “Windows” and “Office” were years ago for Microsoft. It makes them a ton of money, so they need not apologize for the AdWords/AdSense success, but seriously, when is the last time Google entered an industry and made money on something that Apple wasn’t already involved in? Buzz? Wave? Oh yeah, those tanked.

        By the way, thanks for pointing out Google TV; I’d forgotten that they followed Apple there too. So to review, they followed Apple to mobile phones, books, apps, tablets, TV, music and app subscriptions. Even their acquisition of AdMob followed Apple approaching AdMob with a buyout offer. But again, so you don’t misunderstand (again), I’m not saying what Google is doing is a bad thing. But denying what’s happening is rather silly, don’t you think? I mean, where were these tablets last year? Where was GoogleTV 3 years ago? Why didn’t Google announce app subscriptions last week? But hey, keep denying it if it makes you feel good.

      • Anonymous

        What was your point again?

      • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR6HpRLyzMY Walter Sobchak

        You are just priceless!

    • Anonymous

      This is a purchase model for multiple platforms (and the web) NOT simply a system for Android. Furthermore, it’s only one of several options people can choose. Google’s not forcing it on developers, nor are they requiring that the prices be equal.

      Seems to me like this is an ENTIRELY different concept (more akin to Paypal, but with cross platform liscencing) whereas Apple’s scheme is like Facebook Points.

    • http://twitter.com/Kevniv Kevin N

      Seems to me Google is looking at Apple in its rear view mirror when it comes to Android. Just sayin..

    • Anonymous

      You mad?

    • http://twitter.com/pj3090 Patrick Jones

      Mobile phones — Google purchased Android in August 2005, so they have been actively developing mobile solutions since well before the iPhone was introduced in 2007. Apple was secretly working on the iPhone at the same time. Obviously, both companies saw the looming importance of mobile.

      Books — Google Books project started in 2004, and there has been a very large collection of public domain works available for years. The “bookstore” aspect has been in the works for some time, but did not reach a suitable legal agreement with various publishers until late last year. Amazon announced the Kindle in 2007. iBooks was announced in 2010. Who’s copying who?

      Likewise, Apple was hardly the first company to start a music service, although theirs was the first to be really successful because they were able to get the music publishers on board.

      Regarding the subscription service: it’s not as if Google whipped this up over the weekend when they heard Apple was going to do it. The fact that they have the technology and partners in place shows that it has been in the works for a long time. I think it was genius of Google to let Apple announce their draconian terms first — they look great by comparison.

      In the mean time, Apple bought Placebase, a mapping company (Google Maps, anyone?), in 2009.

      Copying good ideas is something that all companies — including Apple — do. We, the end users, benefit.

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