iOS 14 and macOS Big Sur direct web links to Apple News app, bypass publisher sites
Users of Apple's upcoming operating systems will be redirected to the Apple News app when clicking on links from participating Apple News+ publishers, bypassing those publications' websites.
Credit: Apple
The setting, which is enabled by default in iOS 14 and macOS Big Sur, is an Apple News+ feature, meaning only users with an active subscription to Apple's premium news service will see it.
Tony Haile, founder of news service Scroll, first spotted the new feature. In a tweet Monday, he said that Apple's new operating systems are "intercepting traffic" from publisher websites.
As TechCrunch notes, the functionality appears to be an attempt at making Apple News+ more user-friendly, as the service doesn't technically grant access to articles behind paywalls on a publisher's website. Haile, however, said that the feature "directly cannibalizes a publishers' core subscription audience."
In a statement, Apple said that the change "offers subscribers seamless access to the content that is part of their News+ subscription right in the News app or publisher app, as well as providing publishers with increased engagement and revenue opportunities on Apple News."
The company also points out that the behavior can be disabled in News settings on iOS and macOS.
There's a good chance that many publishers won't be happy about the change, even if it can be disabled. Many prominent news organizations have refused to participate in Apple News+, and The New York Times recently left Apple News altogether because the platform didn't "align with its strategy of building direct relationships with paying readers."
Credit: Apple
The setting, which is enabled by default in iOS 14 and macOS Big Sur, is an Apple News+ feature, meaning only users with an active subscription to Apple's premium news service will see it.
Tony Haile, founder of news service Scroll, first spotted the new feature. In a tweet Monday, he said that Apple's new operating systems are "intercepting traffic" from publisher websites.
Woah, I wonder how many publishers in Apple News+ realize that the new iOS14 and MacOS Big Sur are by default intercepting traffic to their sites and sending it to the Apple News app instead. pic.twitter.com/k4PQG9mE7M
-- Tony Haile (@arctictony)
As TechCrunch notes, the functionality appears to be an attempt at making Apple News+ more user-friendly, as the service doesn't technically grant access to articles behind paywalls on a publisher's website. Haile, however, said that the feature "directly cannibalizes a publishers' core subscription audience."
In a statement, Apple said that the change "offers subscribers seamless access to the content that is part of their News+ subscription right in the News app or publisher app, as well as providing publishers with increased engagement and revenue opportunities on Apple News."
The company also points out that the behavior can be disabled in News settings on iOS and macOS.
There's a good chance that many publishers won't be happy about the change, even if it can be disabled. Many prominent news organizations have refused to participate in Apple News+, and The New York Times recently left Apple News altogether because the platform didn't "align with its strategy of building direct relationships with paying readers."
Comments
*Haven't used it in 2 years so maybe it is better now.
open up the article that is behind the publishers paywall in Apple News
On a side note, whether or not publishers are happy about this feature, it drives me crazy that for example I do directly pay for access to a newspaper AND pay for Apple News+ That grants access, BUT the publisher site constantly makes me login. Having Apple make this easier is a good thing for the user.
If you are looking for aggregator there are several newsreaders that do a much better job using RSS feeds. I gave Apple News a shot and rejected it after a fair trial of several months. Aside from the unfair economic impact on content producers, it is weak on available sources and the app is not as customizable as anyone looking for more than blurb needs.
I use news blur as a reader. It is the best one out there since Google Reader was killed off by the Mountain View behemoth. I don't need or want someone else to curate the news for me.
Instead of being directed to a shitty looking site with ads, pop-ups about cookies, tracking, subscriptions, poor formatting, etc- You get directed to an article that is devoid of all that cruft, that is PERFECTLY formatted for your device, attractive, and has native features in terms of sharing, adding to favorites, etc. Apple News is a fantastic reading experience.