a$$le is never wrong because there are so many users ready to defend it, ready to accept everything, any price increase... So from its point of view this move is correct!
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Apple Requiring Patreon to Use In-App Purchase and Pay 30% Fee for Memberships
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Could be worse. At least Apple takes a % of the sale, rather than charging every developer a set price every month -- probably a price smaller developers wouldn't be able to afford.
But one has to consider what the market will bear. Someone might support a creator at $5, but maybe not $7. And it's unlikely Apple will allow Patreon to link out to a webpage with lower pricing - see Netflix, Spotify.
Don’t worry the government will intervene to save the businesses from these crippling fees.
Then when Apple Jacks up prices to compensate they will say nothing because that’s just good business.
Keep cheering for what will ultimately be your loss.
Then when Apple Jacks up prices to compensate they will say nothing because that’s just good business.
Keep cheering for what will ultimately be your loss.
You know Apple can't stop you visiting Patreon website in a browser? How do you think people pay for Spotify or buy digital products on Amazon?
I believe that it’s not against the rules anymore to state that it’s cheaper elsewhere. You might not be able to link directly but I think transparency is allowed now.
Patreon seem to have forgotten they could also absorb the 30% as I imagine they take a huge cut from creators already!
I think it’s happening. I used to be such an Apple fanatic, but now I see they’re a greedy company and their software isn’t even as good as it used to be, so the trade off isn’t working
I used to be happy to pay more for quality and longevity. Now I buy used!
Don't want to put ideas in Tim's head but imagine Apple starting to block Patreon, Netflix, Amazon, Spotify in a browser... lol. I wouldn't put it past Tim.
Why should they? They could just abandon iOS.
Jack Conte (Patreon CEO) just released an explanation from his side, probably worth a watch for any creators here (he's also co-founder of Pomplamoose and the EweTube channel "Dead Wax"):
The biggest surprise to me in all of this is that Patreon even has an app.😩
This is great! Patreon sometimes do not accept some credit cards, meanwhile transactions via App Store always work.
Would be that simple except I believe Apple has terms that prohibits offering a cheaper price outside of their walled garden. To be fair, Patreon has been in violation of this 30% rule since it began so this is merely a correction but now that it has built a large base of creators/users this is going to cause a lot of turmoil and bad optics for Apple. They need to look at better ways to handle subscriptions for stuff like this, this will only come off as greed even though there may be valid reasons behind it.
No problem. Apple users love to tip 30% on top because Tim Cook deserves his bonus.
Apple isn’t playing nice with their developers for a long time. 30% for almost doing nothing is a big chunk. Even the developer tools are bug ridden. But… competition is getting better and better. New processors like the snapdragon X elite are really promising. New surface laptops are like MacBooks with standard more RAM, SSD, etc. Apple has been stalling on all fronts. iPhones haven’t changed since the iPhone 12 from the outside. Competition is really getting better. Apple deserves a nosedive in income… that’s the only way to get Timmy’s attention that there is something very wrong with this company. Apple has become a soulless company purely focused on greed.
As it says in the article, Apple is demanding more than Patreon charges.
> Patreon keeps between 8% and 12% of paid membership subscriptions, along with payment processing fees.
Not sure what Apple has charged before, but to me this just looks like Apple now raking in whatever they can because they have developed and hooked people on their systems over the years. I think creators will find ways around this though. A podcast I recently started watching which has a fairly large following I believe basically advertises that people tip and donate through some other service they have, can't remember the name. It is on YouTube but people are giving through some other site so YouTube is not getting anything from the donations. Someone will find a way to make some cash while Apple is asking for crazy amounts.
Plus payment processing, currency conversion, and payout fees, and applicable taxes on top of that!
Ugh the side effect of public companies expected to have infinite growth. Everyone that wants an iPhone or Mac has them by now. So Apple needs to nickel and dime. Same thing for other businesses. Nearly all big tech and other companies are getting worse with their price increases, subscriptions and more.
I love macOS and iOS. But Apple needs to stop. Other companies need to stop.
I love macOS and iOS. But Apple needs to stop. Other companies need to stop.
Thanks for that.
Patreon seem to be handling this well. They are giving creators the choice to keep their prices the same and pay the 30% out of their earnings or keep the higher fee.
If I was a creator, I would increase subscription prices for Apple users. It seems most of them are used to paying a premium price for premium service.