In the Sprint announcement this morning for the Sharp AQUOS Crystal there was an interesting section that out lined a “App all you want” with App Pass. I looked it over and moved along as it was separate to the device its self. In the simplest terms possible, it is a subscription based app store that is provided by a company called Mobiroo. Mobiroo has their own store front and offering that OEM’s, carriers and others like them can use on devices around the globe. Sprint is handling the bulk of the service, where as Mobiroo is just the company behind it all.
In the press release Sprint is sure to point out that the service is an exclusive to the carrier. Horray! More bloatware! Moving right along. The app will be called App Pass and will be pre-installed on all new Android devices going forward and becomes available August 29th. Current Android device owners with Sprint can find the app in the Sprint Zone app and grab it if they want to. App Pass will offer up a 14-day free trial prior to the activation of a monthly subscription. The subscription will set you back $4.99 a month, but lets you install any app you want from the hand-picked titles to install and use on up to two devices. The point being that the apps that you will have access too will include paid apps as well. Sprint mentions companies like Gameloft and Oceanhouse Media being involved. Knowing that many Gameloft games are $4.99 and up each, once could see the benefit of a subscription service vs one time purchases.
I am pretty apprehensive myself, but there is a little more to it that might make you lean towards giving it a run. Sprint will also be offering $5 per-month credit for customers to spend on in-app purchases. So, you pay $5 and they give you $5.
The official web page for App Pass, http://www.sprint.com/apppass, isn’t live yet, but it is in place.
Press release snippet details below, additional info at Mobiroo.com
“App All You Want†with App Pass
Exclusive to Sprint in the U.S., App Pass is a subscription service that allows customers to access a hand-selected catalog of premium apps and games for $4.99 per month – after a 14-day free trial. App Pass offers unlimited access to these apps and games across two devices, and additionally, customers are given a $5 credit each month to spend on in-app purchases.“Many customers find value in premium apps, but hesitate to make the purchase without knowing more about the app,†said Wayne Ward, vice president-business and product development at Sprint. “With App Pass, Sprint makes it easier for our customers to ‘app all you want’ with a curated list of popular premium apps.â€
App Pass will host a curated selection of apps and mobile games from some of the world’s top developers including Gameloft and Oceanhouse Media. Select titles from other developers include OfficeSuite 7 Pro, Camera Zoom FX, Minuum Keyboard, CamScanner and Color & Draw for Kids.
App Pass, powered by Mobiroo, which develops and manages app subscription platforms globally, will be pre-installed on all new Sprint Android devices beginning Aug. 29. App Pass can also be found under the “Apps†tab of the Sprint Zone app, on supported devices, for current Sprint customers using an Android phone. After the launch on Aug. 29, Sprint customers can visit www.sprint.com/apppass to learn more and download the app. New apps and games will be regularly added to the storefront.
To receive the 14-day free trial, customers will need to open the App Pass app and then register by tapping on the menu button, then selecting ‘My Account,’ tapping on the ‘Sign up now’ button on the Featured page or tapping on the ‘download’ button on an App Details page. App Pass will not be available on prepaid devices.
