Exactly. Many times doing something that sounds like a good idea turns out to be more of a problem than it’s worth. Giving access to a few very large developers that have been consistently trust worthy and loyal makes perfect sense. Epic was not likely included because of previous comments and actions publicly and maybe even privately that made them suspect. If they had been given such access and abused it making Apple reverse course it would have been a problem.
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Apple Offered Special App Store API Access to Hulu and Other Developers
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It’s another one of those tough positions for Apple to be in. There are certain companies that Apple wants / needs to have on the App Store because they do in fact drive a lot of traffic and potentially revenue, so Apple has to offer some special consideration in order to get the benefit of having that app in the system. Can anyone imagine not having the Amazon app on iOS - the relationship has to be great for both companies.
For Epic, it’s sad that they couldn’t get some kind of exception from Apple, but it doesn’t sound like they were getting exceptions from other stores either, so Apple wasn’t acting outside the norm, and you have to believe Apple knew this.
It’s much like when you sell a product to Walmart, you have to sign an agreement that you will not sell to anyone else at a lower rate than what you’re charging Walmart, which most companies sign without thinking about it, given the volume that Walmart does. You’re not going to sell your widgit to Bob’s General Store at a lower rate, or even at the same rate, as what you’re selling to Walmart at, because Bob just isn’t going to generate the same kind of revenue that Walmart does.
For Epic, it’s sad that they couldn’t get some kind of exception from Apple, but it doesn’t sound like they were getting exceptions from other stores either, so Apple wasn’t acting outside the norm, and you have to believe Apple knew this.
It’s much like when you sell a product to Walmart, you have to sign an agreement that you will not sell to anyone else at a lower rate than what you’re charging Walmart, which most companies sign without thinking about it, given the volume that Walmart does. You’re not going to sell your widgit to Bob’s General Store at a lower rate, or even at the same rate, as what you’re selling to Walmart at, because Bob just isn’t going to generate the same kind of revenue that Walmart does.
That is definitely one remedy. The other is forcing Apple to make Safari on iOS, iPad & macOS be a first-class citizen for Progressive Web Apps
Why the bad iPhone web app experience keeps coming up in Epic v. Apple
Apple’s support for key web app features in Safari has lagged — and Safari’s the only option on the iPhone.
www.theverge.com
Just to be clear - the emails are from 2018. Way past ~6 weeks
Epic may lose this particular case, but I think they've proven their point. Apple has egg on their face.
Wake me up when Hulu chews through my son’s allowance by constantly convincing him to spend real world money for virtual costumes and dance moves that don’t even offer special weapons or upgrades.
Hell, even Call of Duty nets you the advantage of a special weapon if you buy a character from them.
I’m sorry but Epic, Fortnite, and all of Facebook’s properties can go off and die somewhere.
How much longer is this trial?
Also, where is the incentive to build anything in this country, if one day a bunch of Karen’s or the government can decide that the thing you’ve built is now too big and that you have to completely open it up and share it (while also completely gutting the customer experience.)?
As far as I’m concerned unless it has to do with Food, Clothing, Shelter, Transportation, Communication, or Health Care, (you know, basic human needs) the government has no business accusing any other sector of “monopolistic” practices.
Hell, even Call of Duty nets you the advantage of a special weapon if you buy a character from them.
I’m sorry but Epic, Fortnite, and all of Facebook’s properties can go off and die somewhere.
How much longer is this trial?
Also, where is the incentive to build anything in this country, if one day a bunch of Karen’s or the government can decide that the thing you’ve built is now too big and that you have to completely open it up and share it (while also completely gutting the customer experience.)?
As far as I’m concerned unless it has to do with Food, Clothing, Shelter, Transportation, Communication, or Health Care, (you know, basic human needs) the government has no business accusing any other sector of “monopolistic” practices.
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When you take the expression to an extreme, there are definitely always “lies” in it. Is it really possible for a developer in Iran or China to get the same privilege as the developers in the US.?
Fortnite chose to not go the "pay-to-win" route. Generally, it's preferable to not have IAPs that give an unfair advantage to players. Even still, the IAPs are carefully crafted and designed to be desirable and obviously, it's working out for them.
One thing is certain though... it's all a rip-off and a pretty scummy way to make money by generally exploiting children and human psychology. Let's not get started on random loot boxes either, aka gambling.
while you hoped to prove otherwise — that there is a Saint company in the world?
Oh, in fact, no saints are ever perfect, not even the God.
This access comes down to trust. Based on the actions of Epic I can see why. If they had access to these APIs they could cancel accounts acquired and signed up by Apple and switch them to direct accounts whenever they felt like it.
A trust worthy partner that has not been advocating that they get your efforts for free, while actually depending on a significant portion of Apple’s work to function is a better fit for access. They would also need to demonstrate excellent customer service because they would be viewed as a closer partner with Apple if they have this ability.
Epic claims their game can’t function in a browser, which is a lie because Microsoft offered to do it for them and now it will be coming via another service in October that will likely fail because the business structure designed as a money loosing venture is unsustainable.
Apple likely started this program to test whether it might work with the intention to make it available more widely, but realized after deeper discussions that most developers lacked the support mechanism for quality service. With games Apple’s API are used heavily and Epic generally tells customers to call Apple for support according to lots of terrible reviews. Hulu and Netflix are active on their own platforms and only using APIs for navigation and streaming functions within a browser.
They handle all the heavy lifting. It’s not done on Apple’s platform or even the device.
I’m loving these stories. Keep em coming!
WTF?! And they were giving developers early access to beta versions of iOS before other people, too! The nerve! /s
I understand the access Hulu has to their API can be considered unfair, but does it actually give them any leg up over the competition? The only thing they are able to do is offer refunds and subscription cancellations straight from the app. Very likely this is a test to see how useful it would be, and potentially roll out to other developers if it proves as such. However the only thing they’re providing is an easier way to get your money back from apps, and that, to me, does not create an advantage.
This is just spin.
As an Apple Store publisher am I annoyed at being left out of this? No.
There's been a lot of well reported abuses of subscriptions in the app store so I can understand Apple wanting to try this out with someone large enough to sue for breaking (additional) contractual licences.
Have we all forgotten that back in the day Epic used to get access to un-announced products to try out the new super fast graphics hardware. Who remembers the Infinity Blade demo at Apple's product announcement event?
As an Apple Store publisher am I annoyed at being left out of this? No.
There's been a lot of well reported abuses of subscriptions in the app store so I can understand Apple wanting to try this out with someone large enough to sue for breaking (additional) contractual licences.
Have we all forgotten that back in the day Epic used to get access to un-announced products to try out the new super fast graphics hardware. Who remembers the Infinity Blade demo at Apple's product announcement event?
Great point. I definitely haven't forgotten and I'm sure that's part of the reason Apple took the hard stance they took. Epic benefitted from their partnership for years before trying to skirt around Apple's policies. Don't bite the hand that feeds you
I don’t actually see this as an issue. When they said they treat each developer equally. I’m assuming they’re referring to the guidelines and rules.
This has nothing to do with them. This sounds like a feature that is much more useful to big app companies. Who have thousands of subscribers.
And like stated in the article, they sometimes test new features. It makes sense to test new features with the big guys who can give you the most data back. It even says this was done before it was built in.
This has nothing to do with them. This sounds like a feature that is much more useful to big app companies. Who have thousands of subscribers.
And like stated in the article, they sometimes test new features. It makes sense to test new features with the big guys who can give you the most data back. It even says this was done before it was built in.
So Apple tests and verify services with “critical friends” and doesn’t include everyone in it. Wow what a shocker 🤣 seriously surely that is good practice.
Besides what are EPIC complaining about now? They don’t want to use Apple in app purchasing but use their own. So why care about these apis that are irrelevant to that anyway.
Besides what are EPIC complaining about now? They don’t want to use Apple in app purchasing but use their own. So why care about these apis that are irrelevant to that anyway.
I really like Apple hardware. I hate their attitude, their hypocrisy, their we know best mindset. It constantly amazes me at the lengths their fanboys go to defend the indefensible.
So far, Epic is absolutely bombing this case big time.
that being said, after Apple wins this case, expect another congressional hearing after this case, and this time, I think Justice Department may get involved into anti-trust case.
that being said, after Apple wins this case, expect another congressional hearing after this case, and this time, I think Justice Department may get involved into anti-trust case.
Seems like a good thing that major developers have some access beyond the normal due to volume. I don't know any private business that treats all customers 100%. 99% maybe where it counts, but not 100%. Largest and best customers always get good deals and the better red-carpet treatment.
Tim Cook and Apple are going to walk away without a scratch, but I don't expect anyone who criticized Apple before the trial not to criticize Apple after the trial is over.