Apple seems to have quietly reversed course on their controversial subscription policy, which previously required publishers to offer the same price in-app as on the web (or elsewhere), and disallowed them from linking to external subscription offers. Now with iOS 5, all of that is gone. According to MacRumors, the updated guideline reads as follows:
11.14 Apps can read or play approved content (specifically magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, and video) that is subscribed to or purchased outside of the app, as long as there is no button or external link in the app to purchase the approved content. Apple will not receive any portion of the revenues for approved content that is subscribed to or purchased outside of the app
This doesn't seem to address the other big publisher complaint -- opt-in vs. opt-out demographic data sharing, but it definitely helps them with their bottom line. Basically, things go back to being where they were before the new subscription policy, and Amazon Kindle and Netflix will no doubt be happy.
