Doesn’t Apple get to decide which apps (or app categories) can do this? Can any app in the App Store be a non-functioning app with just a log in screen when you first download it?
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Apple to Collect 27% Commission on Third-Party App Payment Systems in the Netherlands
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It does apply to everyone once you choose to monetize your app. You can't tell someone who doesn't make money off of their app that they have to pay a commission for something they didn't sell.
Honestly if Apple wanted to solve this they could update their policies to say they take a commission on game IAP and that’s it. That’s probably where they make the most of their App Store revenue anyway.
Good question. Maybe some actual developers can chime in? Maybe apps in certain catgories have to provide some sort of basic functionality at least?
But they’re still utilizing Apple’s IP/tools/platform. I think that should be separated from hey you’re making money on your app and we deserve a cut of it. I think the first one is a no brainer. Of course Apple deserves something for providing the platform and tools. For hosting the app and any customer service provided. The second one gets more dicey, especially if the customer acquisition is coming elsewhere. Netflix doesn’t have IAP any more but when they did could one really argue Apple was the reason people were signing up for a Netflix account?
Apple has the reader category which is how Netflix and Spotify are able to offer this. I don’t know if only apps that Apple allows to be defined as reader apps can do this of if any app can.
The disrespect with which Apple treats their third party developers is simply incredible.
The iPhone would be basically a nothing burger -- truly -- without third party developers, their IP, their amazing creative work and how attractive all that makes it to own and use an iPhone.
The iPhone would be basically a nothing burger -- truly -- without third party developers, their IP, their amazing creative work and how attractive all that makes it to own and use an iPhone.
After thinking about it some more, I think Apple's response is really just another Data Point that points to Tim Cook being "In Over His Head" !
If this is the best they can do, it speaks volumes !
Tim is NOT a products OR services guy, he came up via the ranks of Manufacturing Operations.
Apple may need someone with a more relevant background to Navigate them thru the next steps
!
If this is the best they can do, it speaks volumes !
Tim is NOT a products OR services guy, he came up via the ranks of Manufacturing Operations.
Apple may need someone with a more relevant background to Navigate them thru the next steps
!Yeah I can agree on that to a point. Ever since Steve part of that magic Apple had is gone. Their software is absurdly buggy lately. However, I do think they are absolutely killing it with their hardware. M1 Max is quite incredible.After thinking about it some more, I think Apple's response is really just another Data Point that points to Tim Cook being "In Over His Head" !
If this is the best they can do, it speaks volumes !
Tim is NOT a products OR services guy, he came up via the ranks of Manufacturing Operations.
Apple may need someone with a more relevant background to Navigate them thru the next steps
They have a monopoly on iOS app distribution so they view developers the same way a feudal lord saw their serfs. It’s well past time for regulators to step up and show Sir Timmy who’s boss.
I suggest a EU regulation that sets the maximum cut platform owners can take for store transactions to 3%.
As far as i'm aware, and yes I am an actual developer, there isn't anything specific that says you can't. But it isn't something that is encouraged. Most apps have to "do something". Developers will usually offer a free trial or something like that in the scenario Rogifan is talking about. I do know that Apple reviewers used to reject apps that didn't offer at least a trial to get in. Apps are required to have a minimum level of functionality, and not be just a wrapper for a website.
When I pay my developer fee every year, as far as I see it, I have paid Apple for the use of their IP/Tools/Platform. Maybe that isn't exactly the right way to look at it, but that is the way I see it. If you are making money in your app, Apple is providing the means that you are able to process payments, and also providing you with the tools and platform to manage those payments, collect your money, manage your app promotions, and if your app is popular, advertise for you. If I don't make money for my app, i'm not using those other benefits that they provide so I shouldn't have to pay for them. It's like a base rate to play in the store, but you have to pay more to use more advanced features.
If you read the developer agreements, all these developers are appointing Apple to be their commissionaire, agent and the distributor of their app on iOS plattforms.
Which they pay Apple for by a commission agreed to by both parties.
Does a game need to display something on a screen or read from disk? Well, then it's using Apple's API.
Doesn't matter if software exist elsewhere. What matters is what the developer is using.
That's not a secret.
Just like just a smaller number of users (the whales) are paying for most of the IAP.
Then I would take my business elsewhere. Which is what these developers should be doing.
Why? They are just not talking about it.
Companies shouldn't have to justify their pricing or cost structure. You as customer or developer should only care about how it affects you.
If we’re talking about specifically what you mention here then the question is, is that worth 30%? Since Apple says they’re the only ones who can do this on iOS we’ll never know. Is Apple the best when it comes to payment processing and all the support around it? Marco Arment seems to think Apple could be much better and competition would force them to be.
When governments are breathing down their necks they will have no choice but to do this. I’m saying be honest about it and don’t hide behind privacy and security.
But that's not good for us customers who wants one store for everything on iOS.
We don't care about the developers.
Well, from the beginning, Apple and other companies seem to have settled on 30%. I don't know what the reasoning for that particular figure are. And I'm sure Apple believes they are the best at it.
At the very least, they are doing everything they can to make themselves the easiest way to provide those services.And I also believe it could be better with competition, but then that's the whole point to this problem. Apple can be made to allow other companies to provide payment processing etc, but they don't have to make it painless to do so. And it doesn't mean that Apple isn't providing other services beyond that payment processing. They are still giving you the tools to add IAP to your apps, and the other tools I mentioned that are specific to apps that make money. So the commission issue is still there. How much should it be? I don't know. But that's not my choice.