Apple Says Spotify Wants 'Limitless Access' to App Store Tools Without Paying

[Salt City Ute]

Apple keeps lying to defend their entitled and monopolistic behavior.

It's completely false that Spotify pays Apple nothing. Just like other developers, Spotify pays a yearly fee for the Developer Program, which according to Apple includes "all the tools, resources, and support you need to create and deliver software to over a billion customers around the world on Apple platforms"

You do understand that developer fee is most likely subsidized by the cut Apple receives from their cut of revenue. I wonder what the tools and APIs would cost if Apple didn’t take a % of revenue earned on their platform. How many people and companies wouldn’t be able to pay the fee, and then where would we be?

 

[Onelifenofear]

Come on Apple don't cry...
Those that should cry are those poor developers, the real engine of the App Store and iOS I'd add...
That till now, put effort developing apps for getting paid cents thanks to the fees Apple charge them, for essentially what...?

For creating the iPhone in the first place.
For Creating the appstore in the first place.
For creating APIs for the devices
For hosting and selling said apps.

I am a developer and happy pay my fees... in the bad old days you had to host and manage storage and delivery with some service or another - or manually do that and that took loads of time.

Us "poor developers" are Richer for Apple creating this place for us to make money and the fee are NOTHING.

Before that I had Get CDs / DVDs made, and case and covers, get them shipped to retailers who's took a minimum of 50%... so with trasportation, warehousing, printing and design and Retuns...YOU WERE LUCKY TO TAKE HOME 20%

Spotify and Epic want all apples built up customers for free AND to be able to use all the APIs and tools that have access to the devices.

 

[RalfTheDog]

is apple hosting Spotify content?

why is apple trying to bill 0.50 per install for an app on an phone apple does not own and sells for an high price?

spotify is still paying the yearly dev fees right?

Wow, Spotify is paying $300 dollars a year in developers fees. For a company as small as Apple $300 is a fortune! (Yes, that is sarcasm.)

 

[Victor Mortimer]

I think it’s more like an HOA. Everyone is quite happy with them apart from one Karen who is insistent that all the rules are wrong because she wants to park her F150 on the lawn and put up a confederate flag and will take it to court to get her rights enforced.

Most people have learned that HOAs are to be avoided if at all possible, because Karen the HOA busybody is going to be running around with a ruler and fining people for having their grass 1cm too tall or their curtains the wrong color.

If you like living in a HOA, congrats, you're the Karen.

 

[Onelifenofear]

Apple keeps lying to defend their entitled and monopolistic behavior.

It's completely false that Spotify pays Apple nothing. Just like other developers, Spotify pays a yearly fee for the Developer Program, which according to Apple includes "all the tools, resources, and support you need to create and deliver software to over a billion customers around the world on Apple platforms"

And you SIGN an agreement to those fees when publish on on their platform and earn a ton of money. I am a developer and I am MORE than happy to pay them... funnily enough it's the Massive evil corporations now that are complaining. They don't like it they can go elsewhere.. If Spotify left, would customers leave for android? Nope they'd swap to Apple Music.

Spotify are evil anyway... 2 Billion(!!!) Snoop Dogg streams paid him 50K.

 

[coolfactor]

Then what is the yearly developer fee paying for?

It's become clear that Apple doesn't want to let go of the commission per purchase. If they process the credit card transaction, they are entitled to get that covered, but that's like 1-2%?

Apple is entitled to compensation for services that they render, which includes App Store marketing and distribution of apps, but not for *every single* in-app purchase.

I think the best solution is to RAISE the yearly developer fee for those that don't want to pay the commission.

 

[treacher]

Apple is a smart company, and has many talented people who have carefully figured out the best amounts to charge that fairly compensate both their own hard work, and the hard work of developers.

 

[KENPHOTO]

Come on Apple don't cry...
Those that should cry are those poor developers, the real engine of the App Store and iOS I'd add...
That till now, put effort developing apps for getting paid cents thanks to the fees Apple charge them, for essentially what...?

Poor developers? I am one of those "poor developers" that pays the Apple fees. I had no problem paying Apple 30% of each app sales or in app purchase as the value back compared to selling for Android is substantial. I only have to pay 15% now, so even better, but never had an issue paying the 30%. If this was the old days with selling software in stores on disks, I would have been getting a lot less than 70% of the revenue.

 

[squirrellydw]

Simple……. Apple says no more third party music apps on iPhone. Only one you get is Apple Music. Spotify sucks anyway.

 

[KENPHOTO]

It makes me wonder if the situation would be different if Apple charged a 10% fee instead of a whopping 30%

Then maybe these big players would have remained in the store... Netflix, Spotify, Epic, Kindle, etc.

10% probably wouldn't matter that much to these giant developers to have all the benefits that the App Store provides... plus Apple would be getting 10% of all those transactions.

Instead... Apple is now getting sued from all sides... and they have to come up special arrangements like "reader apps" and whatnot.

It just might have been better for Apple if they charged a more reasonable rate from the beginning to keep everybody onboard.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

It would not matter to companies like Spotify or Epic Games, they won't be happy until they don't have to pay Apple anything at all. If it was 10% they would be complaining that it should be 5%, etc.

 

[KENPHOTO]

You do understand that developer fee is most likely subsidized by the cut Apple receives from their cut of revenue. I wonder what the tools and APIs would cost if Apple didn’t take a % of revenue earned on their platform. How many people and companies wouldn’t be able to pay the fee, and then where would we be?

Exactly, I run a small developer company that pays more money to Apple each year than Spotify does, yet I have no complains about the App Store fees.

 

[KENPHOTO]

For creating the iPhone in the first place.
For Creating the appstore in the first place.
For creating APIs for the devices
For hosting and selling said apps.

I am a developer and happy pay my fees... in the bad old days you had to host and manage storage and delivery with some service or another - or manually do that and that took loads of time.

Us "poor developers" are Richer for Apple creating this place for us to make money and the fee are NOTHING.

Before that I had Get CDs / DVDs made, and case and covers, get them shipped to retailers who's took a minimum of 50%... so with trasportation, warehousing, printing and design and Retuns...YOU WERE LUCKY TO TAKE HOME 20%

Spotify and Epic want all apples built up customers for free AND to be able to use all the APIs and tools that have access to the devices.

I also run a small development company and agree with you.

 

[DFZD]

Here’s my trusting order for these organisations

EU > Netflix > Spotify > Apple > Kremlin > Microsoft > Google > Epic > CCP > Amazon > Meta

 

[KENPHOTO]

If Apple isn't making enough from the $99 to run an app store, as far as I'm concerned they can shut it down.

Let me install software from any source of MY choosing on MY iPhone (NOT Apple's iPhone) and I won't miss Apple's stupid store AT ALL. They want to whine about costs to run it, they're welcome to turn it off forever.

On the Mac, if I've got a choice of getting an app from Apple's stupid store or directly from the developer, I'm NEVER going to pick the app store version. I should have the same choice on my iPhone.

The constant irreversible 'updates' that are really downgrades are infuriating. "Bug fixes and performance improvements" is NOT acceptable for a release note.

Yet you continue to purchase iPhones, knowing that Apple has the walled garden approach to software on the iPhone. If you don't like how Apple does business, why do you keep using iPhones? There are some pretty competitive Android phones on the market now, switch to Android and stop complaining.

 

[KENPHOTO]

For creating the iPhone in the first place.
For Creating the appstore in the first place.
For creating APIs for the devices
For hosting and selling said apps.

I am a developer and happy pay my fees... in the bad old days you had to host and manage storage and delivery with some service or another - or manually do that and that took loads of time.

Us "poor developers" are Richer for Apple creating this place for us to make money and the fee are NOTHING.

Before that I had Get CDs / DVDs made, and case and covers, get them shipped to retailers who's took a minimum of 50%... so with trasportation, warehousing, printing and design and Retuns...YOU WERE LUCKY TO TAKE HOME 20%

Spotify and Epic want all apples built up customers for free AND to be able to use all the APIs and tools that have access to the devices.

Exactly, you probably pay more fees to Apple than Spotify does, as do I, yet Spotify are the ones complaining.

 

[treacher]

I know many developers are making generous profits from their arrangement with Apple. It shows that Apple is not asking for much, and everyone can be happy.

 

[dannyyankou]

I think App Store fees should be reduced across the board, but let's not pretend that Spotify is just looking out for the "little man" here.

 

[Victor Mortimer]

I think App Store fees should be reduced across the board, but let's not pretend that Spotify is just looking out for the "little man" here.

I don't really care what the app store fees are. I just want to be able to install software without having to use it.

If I can install software from non-Apple sources, as far as I'm concerned Apple can rip off 99% from developers in their store.

 

[sw1tcher]

In a statement to MacRumors, Apple said that Spotify is aiming to get unlimited access to Apple's tools and services without paying anything for the value that Spotify receives from the App Store.

According to Apple, Spotify wants to rewrite the rules for its own gain. Apple does not believe that Spotify's complaints are about competition or finding a better deal for consumers -- it says Spotify simply wants a better deal and is using the European Commission to try to get it. Spotify wants access to Apple's technology, App Store reach, and to monetize through the App Store without paying anything to Apple.

Is Apple saying Spotify is aiming to get access to Apple's tools and service while not paying Apple their annual developer fee like how some companies (e.g. McDonald's, Target, Starbucks, Uber, etc) do?

Or is Apple saying Spotify is aiming to get access to Apple's tools and service without having to pay Apple anything extra beyond the annual developer fee like how some companies (e.g. McDonald's, Target, Starbucks, Uber, etc) do?

 

[mdriftmeyer]

Apple wants access to the market in the EU without paying its fair share in taxes.

Apple Takes on EU’s Vestager in Record $14 Billion Tax Fight

Apple Inc. fights the world’s biggest tax case in a quiet courtroom this week, trying to rein in the European Union’s powerful antitrust chief ahead of a potential new crackdown on internet giants.

www.bloomberg.com

If that were the case the EU would have filed cases against them and won. The EU can file their claims with Ireland, the same country most corporations in the EU use to avoid paying taxes.

Just the Facts | Corporate Taxation in the EU - EM Ireland

While taxation is a responsibility of EU Member States, attempts have been made to coordinate corporate tax regimes at the EU and OECD level.

www.europeanmovement.ie

 

[KENPHOTO]

I see, so you don't have to worry about razor thin margins due to the incredibly intricate licensing costs of millions and millions of songs from many different parties. Your shop probably isn't set up for a task like that.

Reminder again: Apple hypocritically offers in-app subscriptions on Android for $10.99 US, and they offer the .apk on their website for sideloading. Never forget the values Apple upholds.

No , I only have to worry about razor thin margins running a small company. If Spotify can't make a profit with 236 million subscribers, then that is their problem. Spotify is not an essential service. How is Apple being hypocritical by paying Google the Google Play fees to host Apple Music on Android?

 

[Salt City Ute]

If Apple isn't making enough from the $99 to run an app store, as far as I'm concerned they can shut it down.

Let me install software from any source of MY choosing on MY iPhone (NOT Apple's iPhone) and I won't miss Apple's stupid store AT ALL. They want to whine about costs to run it, they're welcome to turn it off forever.

On the Mac, if I've got a choice of getting an app from Apple's stupid store or directly from the developer, I'm NEVER going to pick the app store version. I should have the same choice on my iPhone.

The constant irreversible 'updates' that are really downgrades are infuriating. "Bug fixes and performance improvements" is NOT acceptable for a release note.

You have a choice to not buy an iPhone. Also, the ease of use, the reliability, the security, etc.. you get when using an app from the App Store is part of the consistency provided by Apple and paid for by them taking a cut. You have other options, perhaps you’d be happier using them!

 

[treacher]

Yes! There are many choices of phones available. Apple is one of many choices, and in my opinion, the best choice if you value quality craftsmapship and a premium software experience.

 

[flexwithmarius]

why should apple get to have their own music service with much lower cost and price spotify out of the market?

It’s their platform. If Apple were to host an app on Spotify’s platform, they’d have to pay rent.

 

[emlarsen]

Apple deserves all the crap that anyone can give them so they can (deservedly) be knocked off their high horse. But Daniel Elk is so despicable and condescending even he makes me root for Apple on this one.

Preach. The way Spotify completely fleeces musicians is criminal.