Filed under: iPhone, App Store
AP Stylebook comes to the App Store
If you're a journalist, writer, or editor, you've probably either heard of, used, or referenced the AP Stylebook in some way. Now, the AP has released an iPhone app of the AP Stylebook [iTunes Link]. It's searchable, allows you to make notes, and offers features for easy access of suggested writing styles. However, this app costs $28.99, which is considerably more expensive than the printed version, which is available for $18.95 from the AP. If you're out a lot, and don't want to carry a big spiral-bound book around with you, you might want to consider this, although the price of this app may be limiting.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
WordLily said 3:36PM on 9-30-2009
The iPhone app costs more than an online subscription to the AP Stylebook, too — that's 25$.
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obo said 3:50PM on 9-30-2009
The app is also static, whereas the online subscription is updated every couple of weeks.
It's nice that it has an iPhone GUI, but it's a frequently updated reference app - 90% of the value is in the content. If AP doesn't add free updates, it's a worse deal than just going to apstylebook.com on Mobile Safari.
WyldKard said 4:10PM on 9-30-2009
The print version is actually more like $12 at Amazon.
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Michael Kaplan said 4:46PM on 9-30-2009
They're kidding if they think this pricing will entice people to sign up. I own the printed version of the AP stylebook, and it's outrageous to charge nearly twice as much for a version that costs exactly zero in marginal costs to produce. Even throwing in the 2010 version along with the 2009 version (which they will), it's bad marketing and just dumb.
So let me get this straight -- the AP gives away its content to any website that knows how to link, but wants to ream people for having access to a document that already exists in print.
And you wonder why the newspaper business is in the toilet.
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TJ Luoma said 3:54PM on 9-30-2009
The interesting thing here is that the app says that those who buy the 2009 AP Stylebook will receive the 2010 application for free.
I'll be curious to see how they handle a free upgrade, since it's the type of thing that the App Store is not designed to support.
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obo said 4:06PM on 9-30-2009
That free upgrade is being billed as an early adopter perk. I imagine there'll be a voucher or something. Maybe AP's hoping Apple will change policies by then, who knows. Wouldn't be the first time AP's promised more than they can deliver.
Michael Kaplan said 4:58PM on 9-30-2009
Actually, I get free updates to my apps all the time. Not sure what you think the problem is...
Joachim Bean said 5:43PM on 9-30-2009
They'll probably just update with the new 2010 content just like any other free update on the App Store.
Leo M. said 3:59PM on 9-30-2009
I'd love to have this on my iPhone but I'll stick to the book until the price becomes realistic
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Zach said 4:37PM on 9-30-2009
The AP, of all organizations, should realize how little most writers make. $28 is a bit rich; writers are not.
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BOK said 4:39PM on 9-30-2009
That price is a joke.
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carrespondent said 5:46PM on 9-30-2009
It's like the AP put up a giant billboard:
"YUP -- WE STILL THINK THIS WHOLE 21ST CENTURY THING IS JUST A FAD"
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Christian said 10:35AM on 10-02-2009
Considering that the Associated Press was one of the launch partners for the debut of the App Store in 2008, your comment seems pretty off-base.