Apple launches subscriptions for the App Store.

Although The Daily had a head start, a report is stating that other apps can now sign up to use Apple’s subscription method through the App Store.

Apple explains that developers set up their subscription length and pricing accordingly, then customers can tap on what they want while Apple keeps its 30%.

There is one little catch that sounds familiar:

“Our philosophy is simple—when Apple brings a new subscriber to the app, Apple earns a 30 percent share; when the publisher brings an existing or new subscriber to the app, the publisher keeps 100 percent and Apple earns nothing,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “All we require is that, if a publisher is making a subscription offer outside of the app, the same (or better) offer be made inside the app, so that customers can easily subscribe with one-click right in the app. We believe that this innovative subscription service will provide publishers with a brand new opportunity to expand digital access to their content onto the iPad, iPod touch and iPhone, delighting both new and existing subscribers.”

Sony recently had a sort of “falling out” over this when Apple rejected their eBook Reader app and is pursuing other ways it can distribute their music.

Apple also sent out a memo to app developers that are currently in the App Store that offer subscriptions outside of the app stating that they have till June 30th to comply to the in-app purchasing rule. It will be interesting to see if apps like Hulu Plus, Netflix and Rhapsody cave in to Apple’s request seeing as Apple would take 30% of their usual profits.