14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has begun sending out emails to application developers notifying them that Family Sharing is open for business, allowing up to six people in a family to share each other’s iTunes, iBooks, and App Store purchases.
Introduced on June 2 at the Worldwide Developers Conference as part of the iOS 8 showcase, Family Sharing allows up to six family members to browse and access each other's iOS and OS X content, which includes everything from iBooks and apps to photos, calendars, and even their location.
Equipped with parental controls, Family Sharing allows Mom and Dad to receive a notification on their iDevices saying their kids want to buy something, and they can approve or decline the request.
Apple believes that “Family Sharing is a new way to bring harmony to your family’s digital life,” though it won’t be long before we hear that some kid somewhere did a very stupid thing because Dad said no to his in-app purchases.
But it can also help Apple not get sued over in-app purchases made by accident. Once a family agrees to use Family Sharing, in-app purchases become Mom & Dad’s sole responsibility. Pretty smart!
“Up to six people in your family can share purchases from iTunes, iBooks, and the App Store without sharing accounts,” the Mac maker continues. “Pay for family purchases with the same credit card and approve kids’ spending right from a parent’s device. Easily share photos, a family calendar, and more to help keep everyone connected,” reads the basic plot.
Everything is done without having to share an Apple ID or passwords, making it very convenient for families to enjoy the same apps, music, or movies without the hassle of having to enter a new name or password every time they want to download something.
The service automatically sets up a family photo stream “So you’re all a tap away from the latest vacation shots, birthday highlights, and family pranks,” reads the marketing.
Family members can automatically share their location: “...see if Dad’s on his way home, or keep tabs on your kids throughout the day. Out shopping for a surprise birthday gift? Just hide your location with a tap,” Apple explains.
The service is integrated with Find My iPhone and the whole family gets to enjoy the convenience of paying for apps with a single credit card. This way, kids under 13 can have their own Apple IDs.
“To make your apps available as part of Family Sharing, agree to the updated iOS Paid Applications and/or Mac Paid Applications agreement in Contracts, Tax, and Banking on iTunes Connect,” Apple tells developers. “To ensure that Family Sharing is also enabled for previously purchased apps, leave the appropriate checkbox selected on the agreements page.”