title: Full API Released For Instapaper category: link link: http://blog.instapaper.com/post/3208433429 date: 09/02/2011 timestamp: 2011-02-09 22:05:43.127456 -07:00
Marco Arment, the mastermind behind Instapaper has decided to release a full API for developers. In his post he describes how reluctant he was to release an official API due to operational costs. If a complete API was released, developer's could conceivable build a competing app and reduce the userbase of the official app.
But Marco has a brilliant twist with his API:
Full API access, but only for paid-subscriber accounts. In other words, all developers can use the Full API, but it will only work for customers with Instapaper’s $1/month Subscription memberships.
Genius. Now instead of either limiting the API or charging developer's for access, he can simply charge the existing (and paltry) fee of $1/month.