News
iLounge adopts subscription model, establishes hourly Q&A fee
By Jeremy Horwitz
Editor-in-Chief, iLoungeGoogle+
Published: Friday, March 31, 2006
News Categories: Site News
Bowing to industry pressures and hoping to boost income from its widely-read iPod and iTunes web site, iLounge.com has announced substantial changes to its free content offerings, refocusing heavily on revenue-generating measures. Effective 9:00PM PST today, April 1, thousands of previously free pages on iLounge.com will be locked, and made available only on a pay-per-page or monthly subscription basis. “Having watched the experts at Napster and RealNetworks practically mint their own money with similar plans,” explained Jeremy Horwitz, Editor-in-Chief of iLounge, “we decided to bet the company on a similarly great idea. Soon, users will be able to unlock the site with individual ‘iLounge Keys,’ sold for 99 cents per page, or monthly ‘iLounge Gold’ site-wide access for only $12.95. Everyone else is trying to sell something to Apple fans, so why not us?”
“Too many times, we’ve passed up opportunities to make an easy buck,” said Dennis Lloyd, Publisher of iLounge, “so starting now, we’re going to change that.” In addition to starting an all-nude version of its popular iPods Around the World photo galleries, the site will begin to publish reviews written by accessory and service providers, and open its Discussion Forums to endless quantities of viral advertising and astroturfing. Lloyd also disclosed that Ask iLounge, the site’s weekly Q&A column, would be cancelled in favor of ‘iPod Buddies,’ a $65/hour consulting service where iLounge editors or high school students (as available) will offer in-person or telephone iTunes assistance and music recommendations to needy readers. “We think that these changes will ultimately benefit both us and our readers,” said Lloyd and Horwitz, “and if they don’t, at least we’ll be able to enjoy the nude photo galleries.”
Update: Happy April Fool’s Day, everyone! Expect a real announcement soon!
Related Stories
- iLounge Weekly arriving Monday, giveaway reminder
- iLounge Weekly coming Monday, new May giveaway
- Latest edition of iLounge Weekly coming Monday
- iLounge Weekly coming Monday, last chance for giveaways
- iOS 7 design poll ends, iPhone carrier poll begins
- iLounge Weekly coming Monday, giveaway update
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- OtterBox acquires LifeProof
- LifeProof debuts Frē case for iPad mini
- Logitech debuts Wired Keyboard for iPad
- New Apple online store design alters focus, hides deals
- Apps: ABC Aquarium, Disney Jr. Appisodes, Pinterest 2.4 + Pocket Informant Pro 3.0
- Report: iOS 7 could see Flickr, Vimeo integration
- Apple CEO Cook testifies on taxes, faces Senate critics
- Google Play Music All Access to get iOS app support?
- Senate subcommittee accuses Apple of tax avoidance
- AT&T: All video chat apps will work over cellular in 2013
Recent Reviews
- HMDX Jam Plus Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
- Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity & Sleep Wristband
- Cambridge Audio Minx Air 100 + 200 Bluetooth + AirPlay Wireless Speakers
- Mophie Juice Pack Plus for iPhone 5
- Ultimate Ears UE Boom
- Trü Protection Trü-Fit Anti-Glare Film Set
- New Trent iCarrier IMP120D Dual USB Power Pack
- BlueFlame 2M Charge and Sync Cable with Lightning Connector
- HMDX Jam Party Bluetooth Wireless Stereo Speaker
- Logitech Harmony Ultimate Universal Remote Control
Recent Articles
- Inability to use Find My Friends without a passcode
- Calendar info disappears after iCloud restore
- Remove old iCloud backup after restoring to a new iPhone
- Setting up a ringtone in iTunes
- Using a Wi-Fi hard drive with an iPad
- Backing up and restoring an iPod classic
- Can’t restore iPod touch without passcode
- Retaining older versions of Apps during an iOS Restore
- Can’t eject iPod nano without closing Firefox
- Can’t change iTunes Apple ID to iCloud e-mail address
1
April fools!
Posted by Tom on March 31, 2006 at 10:01 PM (PST)
2
Very funny, Ha Ha.
We all know it’s April 1 so lets stop the childish pranks that nobody with any sense would fall for anyway.
Posted by Richard on March 31, 2006 at 10:15 PM (PST)
3
OMG those prices are too cheap. I am so getting your new paid services iLounge, thanks!!
Posted by imdaShiy on March 31, 2006 at 10:16 PM (PST)
4
But it does make you think why you wouldn’t pay to view.
Posted by birkenhead on March 31, 2006 at 10:19 PM (PST)
5
APRIL FOOLS WOO
RIGHT?
Posted by carlos on March 31, 2006 at 10:21 PM (PST)
6
Har de Har Har
Posted by JeremytheIndian on March 31, 2006 at 10:27 PM (PST)
7
We know that iLounge wouldn’t feature nude photo galleries. You almost got me there with that april fools day joke.
Posted by Nick on March 31, 2006 at 10:27 PM (PST)
8
HAHAH soo funny. GJ! april fools!
Posted by jd on March 31, 2006 at 10:36 PM (PST)
9
And there’s no page for you to sign up too! April fools!
Posted by hoho on March 31, 2006 at 10:47 PM (PST)
10
way no fair.
it’s still march here.
Posted by ains on March 31, 2006 at 10:51 PM (PST)
11
DAMN! I was looking forward to the nude galleries!
Posted by Nate on March 31, 2006 at 10:52 PM (PST)
12
Can I pay by PayPal??
Posted by Patrick on March 31, 2006 at 10:53 PM (PST)
13
Dude, they’re not joking.
Posted by Zach on March 31, 2006 at 10:55 PM (PST)
14
Hey, I didn’t know any better that you were faking.
So I’m getting a lawyer to sue because you didn’t post a signage clearly indicating you were joking.
And that I should turn down my headphones volume…
Posted by Will on March 31, 2006 at 11:01 PM (PST)
15
Hilarious
Posted by Mike Bargo on March 31, 2006 at 11:10 PM (PST)
16
mmmm iPod Porn…..
i mean… gross!
Posted by Ernie 2.0 on March 31, 2006 at 11:31 PM (PST)
17
the finniest thing would be if it’s not a joke…....
Posted by gio on March 31, 2006 at 11:57 PM (PST)
18
The subscription model is definitely the way to go. I can download as much as I want from iLounge every month for a one regular fixed fee. Fair enough if I stop subscribing then I can’t view any of the iLounge pages any more, but hey most of the time I view them once or twice and then never look at them again!
Only one thing though. Any chance you can outsource the iPod Buddies Q&A service to a call centre in India?
Posted by Magic Rabbits in Aberdeen, Scotland on March 31, 2006 at 11:59 PM (PST)
19
Ha Ha, very funny! April fool, :p
Posted by Quentin on April 1, 2006 at 12:12 AM (PST)
20
blood boiling humor… lets hope its all due to the day of bloody april fools… otherwise my trip to disneyland would be completely spoiled
Posted by aaron.mark in Los Angeles, CA on April 1, 2006 at 12:24 AM (PST)
Page 1 of 5 pages 1 2 3 > Last »