Subscription service for magazines, music and newspapers launched by Apple

Apple has launched a new subscription service for magazines, newspapers and music bought through its App Store, expanding the model developed for Rupert Murdoch's iPad newspaper the Daily.

The new charging system, which is used for apps on the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad, will allow publishers to set the price and length of recurring payment plans. Apple will keep 30% of the revenue from subscriptions in most instances.

Up until now, publishers have been restricted to selling each issue of their magazine or newspaper individually. News Corporation's recently-launched venture the Daily is the first publication to use the new system, charging 99 cents a week for the iPad-only US title.

Apple will process all subscriber payments and take a 30% cut. But publishers can also sell digital subscriptions to their apps through their website. Customers will choose how much personal information – in addition to their name, email address, postcode and billing details – to hand over to the publisher.

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