New York Post Forces iPad Viewers to Subscribe

David Murphy PC Magazine 06/20/2011 18:57

Well, that's one way to get users to download your app. New reports indicate that the New York Post has decided to stop offering content to users that attempt to view its site using the iPad's Safari browser. Instead of stories, aspiring iPad readers are treated to a giant, full-browser welcome page and advertisement all in one: "Thanks for coming. NYPost.com editorial content is now only accessible on the iPad through the New York Post App."

Downloading an app isn't that much of a burden though, right? Unfortunately for Apple-loving fans of the New York Post, the paper's Apple Store app isn't just a free download. Users looking to read New York Post content have to pony up for subscription access: $6.99 per month, $39.99 for six months, or $79.99 for a full year's worth of access. And there's no a la carte option to check out single issues or articles on one's iPad; It's an all-or-nothing prospect.

"Okay this is bad. This is breaking the web. If no one used the iPad it wouldn't matter. But lots of people use it," says Scripting.com's Dave Winer. "I wonder how Apple feels about this? I can't imagine they like it. I can see the ads now. 'Get an Android tablet to read the web.'"

Interestingly, the New York Post appears to just be blocking those using Safari on the iPad from accessing its sites. Third-party browsers like Opera Mini or Skyfire can access the New York Post's content without issue. There's also no indication that the New York Post is going after Android tablet users. Then again, the New York Post doesn't have an official Android App as of this article's writing.

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