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Apple Letting 'Reader' Apps Offer Links for Account Sign Ups Outside of the App Store to Close Japan Investigation
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I find it weird how this “choice is good for consumers” line keeps getting parroted on this board. Consumers are gaining no new choices here. The same apps that were available before are available now. There is no evidence that prices are going down as a result of this move. Developers who leave the App Store and use alternative payment systems don’t drop their fees.
In this instance, choice is good for the developer, at the expense of users, who now have to deal with a potpourri of faceless developers with **** customer service.
Because they’re full of people committing crimes with their posts?
Exactly.
You'll still be paying the same price for the same subscriptions. You'll just subscribe via their website.
And there won't be these kinds of screens in their app anymore... yippee?
Be specific, what consumer choice was gained as a result of this action?
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The lost revenue will be made up in other areas. Either way, the consumer will pay.
Huh, a link? What if the the link just opens a WebKit page inside of the app? Decorated with some additional buttons???? Will the page be reviewed by Apple? Constantly?
So many questions …
A first step. Having the new south korean law in mind, Apple should have taken a bigger step. Using Apples InApp payment system should be no longer mandatory - end of the story.
If Apples goal is to offer the best user experience, it could simply add the possibility to add different payment providers for InApp Payment in the settings. But this would break Apples „lock competition out, log users in“ principle.
So many questions …
A first step. Having the new south korean law in mind, Apple should have taken a bigger step. Using Apples InApp payment system should be no longer mandatory - end of the story.
If Apples goal is to offer the best user experience, it could simply add the possibility to add different payment providers for InApp Payment in the settings. But this would break Apples „lock competition out, log users in“ principle.
Not to worry, Apple shares will continue to do well. Quarterly revenue will continue to set records.
If developers don't have to pay the 15 or 30% fee off the top, you can bet they'll incentivise these alternate payment methods meaning lower fees for us. And then for consumers who like the convenience of IAP, developers may also be incentivised to offer IAP too if it looks like not doing so is a barrier to consumers signing up, maybe at a slightly higher price, maybe they take the hit. We don't know do we? All we can do is guess. Competition will sort it out. We'll see early next year.
This makes sense, this is so simple and will be very helpful to users; Apple should've done this years ago. Too bad it took the threat of global antitrust legislation/government action to induce Apple to change.
I’m actually paying less with my grandfathered App Store subscription as they haven’t applied the last $1 increase yet.
Netflix didn’t lower prices when they stopped taking subs IAP years ago! What makes you think anyone else will?
You still can’t sign up ”in app” they will have to direct you to their website. all that has changed is that they are allowed to provide ONE link directly to it. So those screens will only minimally change.Exactly.
You'll still be paying the same price for the same subscriptions. You'll just subscribe via their website.
And there won't be these kinds of screens in their app anymore... yippee?
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Agreed. Buying within the App Store is still my go-to for those that offer it. I like managing my subscriptions/one-time purchases from one place. I don’t think this will be a big loss for Apple, maybe 10-15% of sales which is a lot but not going to kill off Apple obviously.
Plus if the developer wanted to, they can always accept Apple Pay from their website.
Yep. You're 100% correct. I doubt it'll be as long as 3 months, tho. This will not end well.
I honestly have no idea what anyone is talking about. The only difference will be where you see the subscription/membership option on reader apps there will be a http link to the developer’s website to purchase a subscription. Nothing is lost on either side it’s just convenience for the user.
There will not be a reduction App Store revenue because most reader apps already do this just without the http link.
There will not be a reduction App Store revenue because most reader apps already do this just without the http link.
But through Apple it would always be +30%? For example YouTube premium subscription costs more through iOS App than the web page.
Not sure anyone here cares about a reduction in revenue for the App Store. But we do predict that, now that they are allowed to put these links in, more apps will do so and will eliminate in-app subscription purchases.
absolutely. It costs a "wee" bit of cash to build server farms; infrastructure; contracts w/3rd parties to build the infrastructure to keep user info; transactions secure; etc...To be fair... Apple's 30% wasn't just for payment processing...
And now we'll have to wait to see if Apple will start charging hosting fees or administration fees for developers who decide to use another payment system… 😕 And hope that they will not change the current rules for developers who continues to use Apple payment system.🤞
all the R&D to produce the technologies that result in the SDKs…
Probably not.
The big "reader" apps (Netflix, Spotify, etc) have already stopped letting people pay for subscriptions in the App Store. So Apple wasn't getting money from them anyway.
Apple will be basically hosting the Netflix app and Spotify app just as if it was any other free app in the store. For free.
However... if the rules are changed again to allow 3rd-party payments for other types of purchases (IAP for games) then you better believe that Apple will come up with some other revenue stream.
Games IAP is a billion dollar industry. And Apple gets a lot (most?) of their App Store revenue from Candy Crush and similar games.
But as of right now... this change is mostly for media subscription services where the actual content comes from outside sources. The developer is finally allowed to link the customer to their website so they can sign up there... instead of hoping the customer will find the website on their own.
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This is not the huge victory it seems: Apple basically turns around a rule here it only introduced 3 years ago.
We are not there yet, more will come (US, EU, AU, UK, and more), face it…
And even when it’s over it won’t be over, Apple will stay on the watchlist for upcoming anticompetitive business practices.
👍😎2:0 for customers and developers \o/
And even when it’s over it won’t be over, Apple will stay on the watchlist for upcoming anticompetitive business practices.
👍😎2:0 for customers and developers \o/