Earlier in the week we took a quick look at the first wave of eBook-related apps who had applied a few changes to conform with Apple’s new rules, among them Amazon’s Kindle app and Kobo’s reader.  They had both chosen not to add in-app purchases and instead removed the option of buying content from within the app entirely, leaving it down to customers to seek out the webstore.

Zinio, the magazine reader app, was another affected by Apple’s rule changes, but until today hadn’t updated their app; leaving the direct links for buying new periodicals in place.  However, they too have been forced to fall into line and today they’ve released Zinio 2.0, a redesigned universal app for the iPhone and iPad.

The iTunes blurb says you can browse free content each day, as well as purchase new magazines inside the app.  Does this mean Zinio has gone against the grain and embraced Apple’s offer of in-app purchasing?

Opening the app on the iPhone reveals the answer.  I went to grab the latest issue of Total Film and was presented with a button to subscribe or buy a single issue and sure enough, an in-app purchase box appeared for 4.99 euros.  The pricing doesn’t seem to have changed either, which is good news.  Plus, the in-app system makes it much easier than swapping over to Safari.

It’ll be interesting to see how Zinio does now they’ve chosen the ‘path of the righteous’, and I expect to be making a few more regular purchases now it’s so quick and simple.