I AS A CONSUMER do not want third party services to handle payments.
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Epic Games Wins Major Victory as Apple is Ordered to Comply With App Store Anti-Steering Injunction [Updated]
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It's pretty predictable on what's going to happen next:
Apple creates "DEVELOPER+" program. Same fees/commissions. You're not allowed to use outside payment processors. But if you want to, switch to the "DEVELOPER BASIC" program. Free to use outside payment processors. $99 fee for every app update submission. $499/mo for Xcode. $99/mo for app store hosting. CloudKit/MapKit APIs charged based on usage. 50% commissions to Apple.
Apple creates "DEVELOPER+" program. Same fees/commissions. You're not allowed to use outside payment processors. But if you want to, switch to the "DEVELOPER BASIC" program. Free to use outside payment processors. $99 fee for every app update submission. $499/mo for Xcode. $99/mo for app store hosting. CloudKit/MapKit APIs charged based on usage. 50% commissions to Apple.
Sweeney wants the extra 30% for next to no benefit for the consumer. Meanwhile, at the very minimum, Apple handling the customer billing is infinitely a better user experience than Epic handling it.
To win over PR points. Epic's margins on virtual currency is so high, they could offer 90% discount and still make money but would be too obvious on what they're doing.
Yes he’s a bit of a scumbag but you’re missing the bigger picture here: precedence. This has knocked Apple down a peg from their self-proclaimed superiority. I enjoy Apple products but I dislike the way the company behaves and I think rulings like this only help consumers in the end - even if scummy companies like Epic also profit.
Waking up in Europe, and haven't had coffee yet so haven't read back but did somebody already say Apple should leave the US now? Because we've got to be consistent with this right.
The thing is, you aren't able to chose, under Apple's current rules.
Alex Lyndsay on MacBreak Weekly always argues users don't want the external stores (EU) or payment methods and Apple shouldn't give in. I say, if he is right, what does Apple have to fear? A majority will prefer the perceived safety of using the App Store to process the payments and those that want a bargain will go outside and use an alternative payment method.
My argument was always with things like Audible or Kindle, I have an existing payment relationship with Amazon, so why do I need to pay Apple 27% for a new book from Amazon that doesn't even touch their infrastructure? (Amazon doesn't let you purchase in the app for this reason.) But for Mickey-Mouse Apps Inc. in-app purchases, I'll stick to Apple, whom I trust with the payment, or just for the speed and convenience of not having to stop, dig out my credit card, enter all my details and set up yet another payment method with an app I'm not even sure I want to keep subscribing to or not sure I can trust.
For example, we use Waipu.tv to get the cable and satellite TV channels streamed to our Apple TV. I just wanted to test it for a month and didn't want to set up a regular payment with them, so I used the App Store in-app payment. The amount of spam they push at me, I'm not inclined to move the payment over to their website (even if I get Netflix 4.99€ subscription included for 6 months in the price).
Over here, most mommies (or people, in general) don't have credit cards and certainly wouldn't put it into the Epic website for their kids, if they did have one. My wife didn't get a credit card until we made a visit to the UK, and she hasn't used it since the trip, about 10 years ago. When the kids wanted something on the App Store etc. they bought the relevant gift cards from the supermarket with their pocket money (the display by the cash register is full of gift cards for Xbox, Nintendo, Sony Playstation, Apple, Google, Epic, Steam etc.).
This is a stupid take. Someone has to pay Apple's 30% tax. Taxes always get passed onto the consumer in one way or another.
Developer relations are so fraught -entirely because of Apple’s stranglehold on them- that if WWDC were to return to a proper live presentation, Cook would be booed off stage.
Apple’s actions are despicable and this judgment is not about consumers: it’s about every developer, big or small, who’s forced to give up so much of their margin because of Apple’s anticompetitive rules.
No CEO is above the law and I hope someone gets thrown in jail for this.
Apple’s actions are despicable and this judgment is not about consumers: it’s about every developer, big or small, who’s forced to give up so much of their margin because of Apple’s anticompetitive rules.
No CEO is above the law and I hope someone gets thrown in jail for this.
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Thread 'Apple to Comply With New Court Ordered App Store Rules, But Will Appeal'
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ered-app-store-rules-but-will-appeal.2456269/
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I kind of doubt it, everytime Apple doesn't get its way, some people find personal offense on that.
Common sense prevailing:
Apple imposing new junk fees to discourage developers from making use of their rights are a violation of law.
Apple imposing new junk fees to discourage developers from making use of their rights are a violation of law.
No company you mention operates in a market with the same market concentration (and companies holding monopoly power) as Apple/Google.
It's nice that it's no longer just the EU that demands that rules and legislation be complied with, thus showing that the corporations can no longer just do as they please, but that it's the authorities who decide.
No, to use your own example, it's about Ford not being able to charge 30% of the price when you fill up your Ford somewhere other than at Ford's own gas stations and at the same time trying to prevent your access to other gas stations.
One can hope, but that won't be the case. I only play one mobile game that has an in-game store and that is Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes. They have a PC version that they distribute through the EA app since EA is the publisher. How much do you think that discount is in that version of the store? It's 5%, not 30%... that is some incredibly wishful thinking that Epic would lower prices anywhere close to that 30%. It could be more than 5% since they've been the face of this whole thing, but it definitely won't be 30%. Like others have stated, the only goal here is to make sure they (Epic) keep as much of that money as they possibly can. They know people are willing to pay those prices. It's the only reason this was even an issue to begin with.
How about added value to their platforms by having fortnite available… Imagine a world where Fortnite was on the Vision Pro in a meaningful way with added technologies that support the immersion. I dare say that would be a system seller. Apple Benefits.
Based on the judge’s decision she is basically turning the App Store into the Google App Store where there are limited controls against spam and illicit data collection. It just seems like Epic games is crying over sour grapes because they are gaining from the app store’s broad access to potential customers for them but they want that (or feel they are entitled to that) at no cost to them. If there is no revenue potential for revenue from the App Store, then what is Apple’s motivation to host and manage it? If the judge’s ruling stands, then if I were Apple I’d end the App Store and let the developers absorb the marketing costs and try to make it on their own.
In a victory for Epic Games, Apple was today found to be in violation of a 2021 injunction that required it to allow developers to direct customers to third-party purchase options on the web using in-app links.
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez-Rogers, who has been handling the Apple vs. Epic Games dispute for the last five years, said that Apple is in "willful violation" of the injunction she issued to prohibit anticompetitive conduct and pricing. "Apple's continued attempts to interfere with competition will not be tolerated," reads the ruling.
For background, Epic Games in 2024 accused Apple of violating the 2021 anti-steering injunction. Apple did allow developers to put a single link in their apps that leads to a website where customers can make a purchase without using the in-app purchase system, but Apple continued to charge a commission, requiring developers to pay between 12 and 27 percent for purchases made using these in-app links.
Epic Games asked that Apple be held in contempt of court for failing to comply with the order due to the fee and other strict rules surrounding the single link option available to developers. Apple, meanwhile, claimed that it was fully in compliance with the injunction, but the judge sided with Epic Games. In fact, the ruling is not at all favorable to Apple, highlighting in stark language how the Cupertino company failed to comply with the order.
Judge Rogers said that the court "will not tolerate further delays," and "Apple will not impede competition." Apple must not impede developers' ability to communicate with users or levy a new commission on off-app purchases. The ruling is effective immediately. Here are the terms that Apple must adhere to:
The court is referring the case to the United States Attorney for the Northern District of California to "investigate whether criminal contempt proceedings are appropriate." Apple has also been sanctioned in the amount of the full cost of Epic's attorney fees through May 15, 2025.
Update: In a statement to MacRumors, Apple said the following: "We strongly disagree with the decision. We will comply with the court's order and we will appeal."He’s
Article Link: Epic Games Wins Major Victory as Apple is Ordered to Comply With App Store Anti-Steering Injunction [Updated]
But that still doesn’t mean epic gets back in the US iOS store, no matter what is happening with the anti-steering provision which we all knew they would have follow at some point.
They'll just keep appealing until they get someone competent.
and then apple is forced to allow side loading with no fees.