Intel: subscription models for their AppUp portal

Intel is planning on integrating a subscription model for applications present on their App portal, with this being yet another way of attracting developers.

Like other platform editors, Intel has announced the creation of the AppUp download portal to group together applications which can run on Atom powered netbooks or future tablets and Smartphone’s that run the x86 architecture.

Applications have become one of the strategic points of their platform deployments, with Intel trying to think of the best way of getting developers to create and provide their software through this interface.

Besides the purchasing of individual programs, a subscription model will be implemented on the AppUp portal, making it possible to create new revenue streams. Peter Biddle, AppUp Products and Services manager at Intel, last week indicated that this was a way of adding a new revenue stream in addition to advertising and direct sales.

The portal currently has around 3000 applications, often free, or otherwise less than 10 dollars. The subscription model will, for example, make a range of games available for a few dollars per month or make additional functions available for the duration of the subscription.


In-app purchases planned
This model is very open as it allows developers to freely decide how they want to develop their program to get the most from their offers.

Intel are also thinking about integrating an in-app purchase mode (directly from within an application) which is now widely used on portals and mobile platforms with this allowing for business models to be developed around the sale of virtual objects – a field currently showing strong growth.

The chipset manufacturer is also hoping that MeeGo will find its place in tactile tablets and can therefore benefit from the AppUp portal. The portal should provide a wide range of products (connected TV’s, online radios, etc.) that use MeeGo.

Nokia announced last week that their first Smartphone running MeeGo - the Nokia N9, would soon be available. Even if the Finnish manufacturer has now distanced itself a little from the platform, the unveiling of this device may provide players with new ideas. The arrival of Intel’s first processors properly adapted to mobility is perhaps the last missing ingredient for this mobile OS to finally take off.