Among the many many adjustments coming with iOS 17, Apple may also introduce a brand new function that can enable customers to attach a content material subscription they use in an App Retailer app to Apple Podcasts with a purpose to entry a variety of extra advantages. For example, if a subscription-based information writer additionally supplied unique podcasts to subscribers, it might select to make these subscriber-only episodes out there by Apple Podcasts by way of this new function. Beforehand, if a content material writer wished to paywall podcasts, it might have needed to launch a separate Apple Podcasts subscription.
Publishers and their subscribers alike might not have appreciated that setup, provided that it was asking paying prospects to pay but once more for the unique podcast content material.
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Maybe due to this complication, The New York Occasions final month launched its personal audio streaming app, the place it makes all its podcasts out there, together with some which are only for its paid subscribers. However it’s not clear that buyers are literally concerned about putting in and utilizing a separate app outdoors of their most well-liked podcasts participant simply to entry NYT’s audio.
Beneath the brand new iOS 17 configuration, a writer just like the NYT might as an alternative use the brand new linking mechanism to make sure their subscribers might entry their unique content material within the Apple Podcasts app that many shoppers already use.
Apple is making linking and authentication simple to do, as properly. In truth, after updating to iOS 17, the primary display screen customers will see is one which informs them of their current subscriptions, that are routinely linked in the event that they initially subscribed to the writer’s app by an in-app buy on the App Retailer.
Picture Credit: Apple
In the meantime, those that purchased a subscription elsewhere — together with instantly from the writer’s web site –will be capable of go to the podcast’s Channel web page and click on a hyperlink that reads “Already a subscriber?” the place they’ll then log in and authenticate by way of the online.
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As for the unique content material itself, it might actually be something they need to provide, Apple says, so long as it’s audio.
Launched in 2021, Apple Podcasts subscriptions have sometimes been used to supply some type of extra profit to paid prospects, like ad-free listening, early entry to episodes, bonus content material, archival entry, or the power to help favourite creators, amongst different issues.
Apple believes the brand new function will probably be hottest with information apps, well being and health apps, and youngsters and household apps.
Picture Credit: Apple
The corporate has a handful of early adopters who will make their paid audio content material out there to subscribers from day considered one of iOS 17’s launch. These embody Bloomberg, Calm, The Economist, L’Équipe, Lingokids, The Occasions, The Wall Avenue Journal, The Washington Submit, and WELT. (We seen The NYT just isn’t on this record — however there’s nonetheless time!)
Along with this replace, Apple can be making it doable to take heed to paywalled audio tales from its personal subscription service, Apple Information+, by way of Apple Podcasts. These embody professionally narrated audio tales from throughout prime magazines and newspapers that had been beforehand solely out there within the Apple Information app.
The Podcasts app itself can be being up to date with a refreshed Now Taking part in design with a background showcasing the podcast artwork, enhanced controls for managing the queue, help for episode artwork, and a redesigned Up Subsequent part.