Pretty easy model for Apple if they want to take that leap:
I imagine they would extent the App Store to include a category of applications that are hybrid apps and subscriptions in one bundle. If you buy the New York Times app you would ideally have a choice of free (limited content?), daily, weekly, yearly. Prices scaling out as they already do with traditional print subscriptions. Desktop & iPhone tie-is would be essential. I should be able to read a few pages on my computer, a few more on my iPhone, and the rest on the tablet. The content needs to automatically sync bookmarks, unread items, starred items, etc.
I imagine they would extent the App Store to include a category of applications that are hybrid apps and subscriptions in one bundle. If you buy the New York Times app you would ideally have a choice of free (limited content?), daily, weekly, yearly. Prices scaling out as they already do with traditional print subscriptions. Desktop & iPhone tie-is would be essential. I should be able to read a few pages on my computer, a few more on my iPhone, and the rest on the tablet. The content needs to automatically sync bookmarks, unread items, starred items, etc.