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The 'Irish Independent' has become one of the first newspapers in the world to successfully launch a paid-for iPhone application.
The application, which was launched in October and costs €2.39, has proved popular with iPhone users. It was the number one paid-for app on the day of launch and remained in that position for some weeks. Most newspaper iPhone apps are free.
The application allows users to read the Independent on their handset; news is updated throughout the day and is compatible with iPhone, iPhone 3G and the iPod Touch. It is the first of several iPhone and smartphone applications due to be launched by Independent.ie and was developed in partnership with Waterford-based Telecommunications Software and Systems Group.
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Successful launch only to crash and burn. Initially, the app was okay, if not a little buggy. It was only just worth it's €2.39 cost. However, what independent.ie failed to mention when purchasing is that this is a monthly subscription service, with users now finding that their app is now crippled. Judging by the swelling number of very negative reviews on iTunes with many threatening to report to the Consumer Association this story is only beginning.