For quite some time now, the newspaper industry s struggling for a better subscription payment system that can handle online transactions effectively. Until now, online newspaper are still in a dilemma in trying to create this system. Thanks to Google, newspaper publisher may soon use Google Checkout which is extending its functionality by coming out with a micropayment system.The NewMan Journalism Lab is reporitng that Google has submitted a proposal outlining Google’s “vision of a premium content system”. This shall include subscription across multiple news sites, syndication on third-party sites, search accessability and other payment options, such as the a micropayment system. Google is also advocating the open web benefits.
The micropayment system would also include transaction cost, and credit card fees. Google also plans to share the revenues its generates from Google Checkout similar to have Apple’s iTunes store are doing it.
It’s a very good idea to bring the “analog industry” and the new generation of internet users together…
I don’t know whether this will be the saviour of newspapers, though I hope it is (I occasionally like to hold the things I am reading) but I think a good micropayments system will be big.
Once one does it the rest will follow and the drip, drip will become a torrent.
Google could end up helping the newspaper industry bring in revenue is a little ironic.
I’m still waiting for google checkout to hit the mainstream but the combination of Wave plus Checkout makes me think that subscription content has arrived and the world will catch up in about 18 months time.
Mainstream in 2011 is my prediction.