After the release of News Corp's 'The Daily' iPad newspaper, Apple announced a subscription service in which users could subscribe to newspapers, magazines etc which require regular payments. The payments are processed by Apple who keep 30% (the cut they take from standard apps.)
Not wanting to be left behind Google have joined in on the action with their new service Google One Pass.
“With Google One Pass, publishers can maintain direct relationships with their customers and give readers access to digital content across websites and mobile apps,” Google said in a blog.
Users who purchase from a One Pass publisher can access their content on tablets, smart phones and websites using a single sign-in. Plus, the service helps publishers authenticate existing subscribers so that readers don’t have to re-subscribe in order to access their content on new devices.
The launch has begun speculation about how the Google service will compete with Apple’s subscription service. Some point to Apple's cut of 30% as excessive which may favour Google, but on the other hand Apple has over 160 million iOS running devices out there.
At the moment it seems publishers do favour the iPad but as the electronic newspapers/magazines industry grows anything could happen.
Source: DailyFinance