Apple Rejected Spotify's App Update Adding Audiobook Support

[MacRumors]

Apple and Spotify are once again feuding as Spotify attempts to break into the audiobook market, reports The New York Times. Apple has reportedly rejected Spotify's latest app update three times in the last month.

Over the years, Apple and Spotify have had a long running dispute over Apple's App Store policies, with multiple public conflicts over app and subscription fees and app rejections due to Spotify's attempts to skirt the up to 30 percent cut that Apple takes from purchases.

Apple says that Spotify is again trying to get around its App Store rules, and the Cupertino company claims that Spotify's audiobooks update is not in line with guidelines that cover how apps can communicate with users about purchasing options outside of the App Store.

Apple last year agreed to an App Store rule change that allows developers to use communications like email to share information methods about payment options that are available outside of an iOS app, but Spotify is running into issues attempting to implement this feature. With the rule change, Spotify wanted to direct customers to buy books online to listen to in the app, rather than giving Apple a cut of its audiobook sales.

Apple apparently told Spotify that it can send customers emails about online purchases, but Spotify is not able to offer a button inside of the app to request emails. The feature was designed with Spotify's legal team involved, and Apple initially approved the update in September, but later reversed course, rejecting subsequent updates.

Spotify designed a nine-step process for purchasing an audiobook, which involved a customer tapping on an audiobook and seeing a screen with a lock over the play button. Pressing on the play button provided customers with a page where they could request information on how to buy a book through an email, and the email offered up a link to purchase the book.

An Apple spokesperson told MacRumors that Apple "has no issues" with reader apps like Spotify adding audiobook content, but Spotify did not follow Apple's guidelines around in-app communications directing users outside the app.

The App Store was designed to be a great business opportunity for developers, and we fully support initiatives to introduce new features in apps that provide lasting value for users. We have no issue with reader apps adding audiobook content to their apps, linking users out to websites to sign up for services, or communicating with customers externally about alternative purchase options. The Spotify app was rejected for not following the guidelines regarding including explicit in-app communications to direct users outside the app to make digital purchases. We provided them with clear guidance on how to resolve the issue, and approved their app after they made changes that brought it into compliance.

After the multiple rejections from Apple, Spotify released a version of the app that removes information about how to purchase an audiobook from the Spotify website, which Apple did approve. Spotify now informs users that there is no option to buy an audiobook in the app. "We know it's not ideal," says Spotify in the app text.

Spotify in 2019 filed a regulatory complaint with the European Union over Apple's App Store practices, and it maintains an anti-Apple "Time to Play Fair" website. Spotify has continued to meet with European regulators, but the case has not concluded as of yet. Spotify has also sided with Epic Games in the Epic Games v. Apple legal battle, and it participates in the "Coalition for App Fairness" alongside Epic Games, Tile, and others who are unhappy with Apple's "anti-competitive" policies.

Article Link: Apple Rejected Spotify's App Update Adding Audiobook Support

 

[sorgo †]

Apple, sweetie, you trying to give those antitrust legislators more ammo? 😅

 

[1557750]

Apple, share with the other kids…

 

[ralph_sws]

Apple seems to be playing not entirely fair with spotify

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

"I am the Lord, thy God. Thou shalt have no other God$ before me."

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Apple has always had love/hate type relationship with Spotify.

 

[Wackery]

I normally take apple’s side on these kinds of things, but not in this case

 

[Tozovac]

Gotta protect the ability to meet shareholder/analyst growth expectations!

 

[gondosvk]

Spotify should dedicate some screen space for ad banners and then advertise the purchase ebook ad.

 

[GMShadow]

Apple seems to be playing not entirely fair with spotify

As everyone knows, Spotify is a notorious paragon of fairness and integrity.

 

[fwmireault]

Apple has always had love/hate type relationship with Spotify.

Mostly hate I believe

 

[Juicy Box]

After the Apple Music price increase announcement, I wonder if there will be more “disputes” about Spotify violating App Store rules.

Probably not related, but who knows…

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Shame how much Apple have weaponised the App Store. They have just invited regulatory scrutiny.

 

[smorrissey]

Baad Apple.

 

[raindogg]

Apple's like the new Mafia with their 30% Vig and Union Busting tactics.

 

[Eldaerenth Faexidor]

Tim, just buy Spotify and adopt its UI and discard the rest. Problem solved. Next.

 

[TonnyM]

Spotify is purposefully taking Epic’s route, good luck with that !

 

[erikkfi]

I'm no fan of Spotify the company (although I love their service). This rejection shouldn't be possible. It's time to loosen Apple's iron grip on its own platform and make free installation of apps a reality.

 

[TinaBelcher]

these are the moments I’m so ashamed and embarrassed to be an Apple product user. Apple is so vindictive and will do whatever it takes to make sure no other company have any sort of success. It’s like that one “good friend” we’ve all had, that secretly did not want us to succeed in life, and tried to sabotage any opportunities

 

[zorinlynx]

Someone needs to slap down Apple about this already. Look, I love their products but their first party apps have an unfair advantage since third party has to pay the 30% cut on all purchases..

People already pay big bucks for the hardware. Apple should concentrate on that being their profit center, and stop trying to force other companies to pay near extortion transaction fees. And like it or not, Apple has a dominant position in the market, so they are subject to antitrust laws.

 

[CarAnalogy]

I thought it had been clearly decided that the anti-steering rule is illegal. Are they ignoring that because it's undergoing appeal?

It would be one thing if the App Store really was a carefully curated place, virtually free of scams.

I don't want sideloading because I do believe it will contribute to even more of a decline in quality and security. But Apple is being too transparent about their true motivations concerning the App Store.

 

[Wildkraut]

EU's Digital Market Act and Digital Services Act will come soon to the rescue, just like for USB-C.

 

[entropys]

Apple hasn’t really paid much attention to its Books app, although Books finally got thrown a wee bit of a bone interface wise in ios16. Audiobooks is a key area it is has not been given any love. Basically you have to buy an audiblebook at exorbitant prices (AUD$30 plus) in the Books app.
There are some books available through the podcast app, but it is pretty limited.
Over on kindle, if you buy a kindle book for an extra couple of dollars if an audio version exists for many books. And there is also the classic audible subscription (Amazon owns audible) but it is not good value of money and an area ripe for classic disruption. I would also note that all Apple Books has over The Kindle App is you can buy books directly in the app, whereas Apple requires the buyer to go outside the app to a browser for kindle. Bad Apple.

I would expect the spotify effort is more like the Apple podcast, but specifically given development attention and promotion to help spotify diversify. Meanwhile, Apple Books in general, and thus audible books as well, has been on the back burner at Apple for sometime. It was clearly burnt badly in that antitrust case, and went into classic avoidance. Meanwhile Amazon won all it desired, ironically reduced competition for kindle.

I still believe the digital book market is ripe for disruption, including audiobooks, and Apple is just about the only company that can do it. Maybe Spotify can do it if Apple isn’t willing to go to the effort.

 

[j_wong59]

Let me know when they implement native support for HomePod 💅🏻 💁🏻‍♂️ 🥱

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Apple, sweetie, you trying to give those antitrust legislators more ammo? 😅

No please don't stop Apple. The more they push the sooner I finally get sideloading on my iPhone and iPad and can finally install retro game emulators.