How app subscriptions work, the pros and cons for consumers and developers, and examples of apps using creative subscription models.
This episode of AppStories is sponsored by:
- Drafts - Where text starts.
- MailButler - Your personal assistant for Apple Mail.
Links and Show Notes
Background
On the limitations of subscriptions and the argument against them, including some examples of low-cost subscriptions for premium features:
Some iOS apps that are using auto-renewable subscriptions in creative ways:
Other well-known companies that have also switched to auto-renewable subscriptions on the App Store:
[[federico]] One of the questions I’m often asked by Club members is whether there’s a way to search for specific apps, workflows, or terms mentioned in previous issues of our newsletters. I have covered this in the past – we don’t have an interactive archive yet, and I would very much like to offer a...
Federico and John talk about the iTunes Affiliate Program and its importance for app discovery and independent curation with Kevin MacLeod of AfterPad. The episode was recorded before Apple’s clarification of changes to the program.
- SQLPro Studio - A simple, powerful database manager for macOS. Download a 7-day free trial and use promo code APPSTORIES at checkout for 20% off.
- CardioBot - use heart rate data captured by your Apple Watch to improve your health.
Links and Show Notes
iTunes Affiliate Program
AfterPad
[[federico]] In the first two parts of the Trello API series, I covered the basics of authentication with the service through Workflow and detailed how we can export a single Trello card as a Markdown sheet to Ulysses. In today’s final installment, I’m going to describe the workflow I’ve built to pick multiple Trello cards...
Federico and John interview Jean MacDonald and Grey Osten, the co-founders of App Camp for Girls – an organization that helps middle-school age girls get started with app development.
Links and Show Notes
[[federico]] Newsify The popular RSS client (which supports both Feedly and iCloud sync) has added a web app to access your subscriptions from desktop computers. The latest version also brought 3D Touch improvements and a bigger font size option on the iPad. After Ice This app is a simple but effective visualization of what our...
[[federico]] In last week’s issue of MacStories Weekly, I used member Silvio’s question as a starting point to explain how I’ve been using Workflow and the Trello API to manage and export newsletter sections for the Club. In Part 1 of the series, I covered the basics of authenticating with the Trello API and saving...
Question: In the first AppStories episode you said you were trying out Newton as your email app. You have said in the past that you use SaneBox too. How do you access your SaneLater folders, or any SaneBox folder, using Newton? I cannot find a convenient way to access the Sane folders without a lot...
Federico and John discuss setting up a new iOS device, whether they do a clean install with new iOS releases, the first apps they install, and tips and tricks to make the process easier.
- Streaks - The to-do list that helps you form good habits.
- Where To? - Find the best places around you – wherever you are.
Links and Show Notes
Apps
Article Links
Federico
John