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It’s not like MacOS is the dominant global OS. Not by a million miles. It’s grown sure. But again it’s just not. And also iOS is not the dominant mobile OS. Android still has that crown.

The app store brings in more $$$ than competitors' app store.
iOS App Store doubles Google Play's revenue and Microsoft had to reduce their cut to 5%-15% to entice developers.

and Apple's App Store continues to grow.
 
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Many of the negative comments are forgetting one very important factor. This is not an optional trade in.
You’re forgetting an important factor: you can’t trade in something you don’t own. Nobody bought this machine from Apple, nobody even “rented” or “leased” this machine from Apple - it was loaned as part of a $500 developer program for a one-off fee and everybody who got one signed a fairly simple agreement that made it crystal clear, upfront that they didn’t own the hardware and had to be returned at Apple’s request, and which made no suggestion whatsoever that the fee was refundable.

If Apple failed to deliver their actual commitments under the agreement then, fine, take ‘em to small claims, but giving you a free Mac at the end was never part of the deal.
 
Many of the negative comments are forgetting one very important factor. This is not an optional trade in. Apple is asking for the product back. They are essentially charging developers $300 for using the machines for development. Not only is this greedy, but it is also immoral. I would keep the machine if they only tried to offer me $200 for it. What an insult that initial offer was. This is not a case of simple complaining. This is Apple playing games with developers. How anyone could defend this action truly reflects heavily on their character. You guys should be ashamed. Without developers the M1 Macs would have never been as successful as they are. Apple created the hardware, but developers are giving it life.

You're forgetting the DTK is a rental. You never owned the DTK.
 


Prior to the release of the M1 Macs, Apple offered developers a $500 Developer Transition Kit (DTK) that included a Mac mini equipped with an A12Z Bionic chip first used in the iPad Pro, 16GB RAM, a 512GB SSD, two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and an HDMI 2.0 port.

mac-mini-developer-transition-kit-photo-feature.jpg

The DTKs were available on a temporary basis, and earlier this week, Apple said that it would soon begin asking developers to return the Mac minis in exchange for a $200 credit.

Since developers shelled out $500, many were unhappy with the credit amount, which also required the funds to be used by the end of May. Many developers complained about Apple's credit amount and the time limit on spending, as the end of May would not allow the credit to be used toward a product released later in 2021.

Apple has now reversed course and upped the credit, and will now be providing developers with $500 to put toward an M1 Mac or any other Apple product. The time limit to spend the credit has also been increased, with Apple giving developers until the end of the year to use it. Apple first sent out Developer Transition Kits at the end of June, so developers were able to use them for seven months. Developers were meant to have a year with the DTK for app development purposes, but other benefits that include a private discussion forum and technical support will continue to be available for the full 12 month period.

As noted in Apple's emails to developers, the $500 credit can be used toward any Apple product, including M1 Macs or other devices.

Article Link: Apple Ups DTK Mac Mini Return Credit to $500 After Developer Complaints
Nice move, paying respect to the developers this way! Though I hope it does not lead to a hysterical Federighi shouting and jumping "Developers developers developers" at the next Apple Event :)
 
It's the right thing to do AND the PR bonus from this for Apple will probably be at least 100x the money they're dishing out here. Win-win.
 
Many of the negative comments are forgetting one very important factor. This is not an optional trade in. Apple is asking for the product back. They are essentially charging developers $300 for using the machines for development. Not only is this greedy, but it is also immoral. I would keep the machine if they only tried to offer me $200 for it.
The issue with this argument is that the website and the contract made it abundantly clear these machines were on loan from Apple and would have to be return at some point when Apple decided to recall them, or risk having your developer account suspended or cancelled. At no point did Apple say you can keep the DTK if you feel like it. It is their property you borrowed for a fee, like renting VHS tapes, you can use it but in the end it has to go back to Blockbusters.

Everyone one with a DTK signed this contract and it seems a lot of people didn’t read what they signed.

The DTK are not consumer level products this is stated in the contract as well. They aren’t intended for daily use due to the lack of support for software and hardware and were solely for testing apps on.
 
To get "stiffed" would have been to be promised a refund (or credit) that was never given. The program terms never stated that a credit would be given at all, so it was generous of Apple to add that in later. And developers complained? That I don't understand.
When Apple was a lot smaller and did't have money on the bank like no other company, they gave the devs that bought the intel transition kit a free iMac. It's quite obvious developers expected something similar this time.
 
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See complaining works, so next time no body uses the "stop whining" argument, it made apple drop the butterfly keyboard too.

Now I wonder why would Apple want those devices back...
 
This is clearly a polarizing situation. It’s really bringing out something unpleasant in people. Thankfully Apple listened to developers and made the right decision. They can’t live inside of a bubble anymore. I don’t see a problem with implementing concerns into products and policies. Of course they will never admit they are wrong, but they are quietly making the effort. The magic keyboard and rumored MacBooks with more ports are evidence of that. It’s little things like this that will build customer loyalty and respect. It’s also going to give developers more confidence in the company moving forward.
 
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Huh? Apple gave more than hardware, but a full support package. It was easily worth $500 that developers are effectively getting for free now.
And if they didn’t. Apps wouldn’t work with their newest computers properly
This benefits Apple for than the developers. Not to mention it’s not like Apple won’t get the money back🙄🙄🙄🙄
 
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It's unfortunate the amount of whining towards something where Apple didn't do a single thing wrong caused Apple to cave which sets a dangerous precedent. Is Apple going to bend over backwards whenever the developer community cries, even if they're wrong?

Community needs to bash Apple where it hurts. Whether it's them completely failing with the 2013 Mac Pro, butterfly switch keyboards, or other weird design choices. Complaining about a voucher isn't one of those things.

I'm ashamed to be considered part of this developer community.
Must defend at all cost. Never paint Apple as wrong.
Then leave the program. If you really are in it.
Speak with your actions not complaints
 
Funny how several members in the previous thread were calling developers ungrateful, whiny, immature, impudent children. 🤔🙄

Its called taking care of your developers. Remember macOS would be what it is today with out the vibrant community of developers creating apps for it.
And the biggest name caller is probably a bot. To be ashamed lol.
 
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When Apple was a lot smaller and did't have money on the bank like no other company, they gave the devs that bought the intel transition kit a free iMac. It's quite obvious developers expected something similar this time.

I do wonder how many developers who took part in the Intel transition took part in this AS one.

Seen a number of people saying about the iMacs given back in 2004/5 whenever but these people would’ve been kids at that time and they are moaning like they’ve been cheat out of getting something for free that was never guaranteed to happen.

Also seen people complaining that they expected a like for like on an M1 (512 SSD and 16gb ram) come on, $200 off a base spec M1 makes it the same price as what they paid for DTK access $499 with better support, a warranty, Apple care as an option
 
See complaining works, so next time no body uses the "stop whining" argument, it made apple drop the butterfly keyboard too.
Whining about hardware failures across a large number of devices is not the same as whining because you were "Expecting" free stuff.
Now I wonder why would Apple want those devices back...
Because they own them. They don't need to give any other reason.
 
Apple said developers would get one year out of the DTK for $500. Yes, the fine print said Apple might call for back early… but it wasn’t the expectation. Developers got less than six months. On those grounds, I think Apple owed developers at least $250.

More importantly, Apple agreed the deal they’d offered was unfair.
Some here defend at all costs. Apple could take their firstborn and they would justify it.
 
You do have to love everyone applauding Apple for 'doing the right thing' when it is always the case they never intended to do that, but have to be forced into changing direction.
 
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Now I wonder why would Apple want those devices back...

a) that was what the contract says

b) having them out there only capable of running a few specific beta version of BigSur and being compromised both in performance and IO vs. a proper (AS) MacMini while looking just like a MacMini isn't something you want to have.
 
How many DTK did they sell? I’m sure the move to $500 was good press at a negligible cost.
They sold 0.

They rented them out in a package (support+DTK unit) at $500 for a year.
The DTK was never owned by the developer and is supposed to be returned after 1 year. Apple offering $200 to return them early was great already, not sure why devs were so mad considering they didn't *need* to return it yet, they could still hold onto it until their original term (1 year) ended and then return it back for $0. So either return early and get $200 (now upped to $500) or return after your 1 year renting term ends and get back $0.
 
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Ironically, I doubt we would be seeing so much outrage if Apple had just asked for the developer kit back while offering nothing in return.

Especially since it’s clear some people didn’t even use theirs. (Box? Are you listening?)
 
So many factors in play:

Who benefits from the DTK?
Apple benefit, they get apps that run natively
Apple benefit, they get $500 from people they already charge to be developers
Apple benefit, as they get a percentage of sales from upgraded apps on the Mac app store
Microsoft benefit as some developers think it's time to stop supporting macOS
Developers benefit, they get the chance to keep their apps up to date and keep the income flowing
Users benefit, they get apps that will run natively on Apple silicon computers

Other points:
Apple are not offering a refund they are offering store credit, none of the $500 spent on renting DTKs will ever return to developers
macOS requires developers to succeed, developers can go elsewhere, Windows for example
 
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