Here Are All the iPhone Changes Coming to EU Users by March 6

jole said:
Do I read this right:

App developers have option to:

(1) stay with current App Store rules (30% commission but with reduced fees for subscriptions after 1y and small companies)

(2) switch to EU rules in EU. Distributing in Apple Store for 17% commission + 0.5 EUR / downloader / year. This may be more than 30% actually.

(3) switch to EU rules in EU. Same as (2), but in addition create an App Store. App Store downloads are charged 0.5 / user / year + 0.5 / user / app / year after 1M downloads + credit card fees (3% is using Apple). Hidden part is that the apps still need to comply with Apple App Store rules due to requirement for binary being same for all app stores.

(4) similarly to (3), but not distribute in Apple App Store at all. That allows the app to bypass all Apple App Store requirements, but it can be hard to find due to not being in apple App Store.
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On your point (2) you can also add the condition of 1M users. Under that point, the technology fee don't apply on the App Store.

And your point (4) does not exists. Developer still cannot distribute their app without an App Store. Either you distribute your app in the App Store, either on another App Store, but you cannot distribute it anywhere (for example on the web)

Edit: I didn't understand your point 4 correctly. Yeah I think you are correct
 
klasma said:
It’s basically Apple-speak for code signing. They only allow apps they have reviewed and approved of, and “notarization” is the process of creating a signed-by-Apple application package reflecting that approval, and probably also registering it in some Apple database.
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So the app would still work without it, just without Apple confirming that it is safe?
 
USB-C and RCS Messaging support on iPhone I was in favour off, these are in the consumers interest and I cannot defend apple for taking so long to support both, but this DMA thing from the EU is a step wayyyyy too far.

What give the EU the right to change how my iPhone works at such a fundamental level, I've never once wanted a 3rd party app store or battery-intense chrome engine browsers running on my iPhone, and as soon as the option to disable this function which opens up my phone to malware, I will disable it straight away.

This whole thing is especially bad now, at a time with AI increasing the amount of fraud, lies, and scams on the internet.

If you ask most iPhone users they don't care about a 3rd party store. And those who do want this kind of thing, can buy an Android phone. This is an example of over-regulation from the EU.

Hope the UK doesn't have to align to these rules. But now we don't have a seat at the table I cannot even write to an MEP about my opposition yet the UK will probably have to continue to align with EU rules to trade with the EU. Even worse!
 
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magicMac said:
If you ask most iPhone users they don't care about a 3rd party store. And those who do want this kind of thing, can buy an Android phone. This is an example of over-regulation from the EU. Hope the UK doesn't have to align to these rules.
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This is a worthless comment; if I wanted an Android, I would buy an Android. I've been an iPhone user since 2008 and have wanted them to open up their ecosystem since the beginning. It's not important to you, but it is to me and several others, so I'll keep advocating that Apple does the same elsewhere.

I appreciate what the EU has done, even if it doesn't benefit me here in the US. I'm curious what developers will come up with when not under the thumb of Apple.
 
Nicolas Som said:
On your point (2) you can also add the condition of 1M users. Under that point, the technology fee don't apply on the App Store.
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According to Apple it does:

For developers who choose to agree to the new business terms, membership in the Apple Developer Program includes one million first annual installs per year for free for apps distributed from the App Store and/or alternative marketplaces. Developers who achieve exceptional scale on iOS, with apps that have over one million first annual installs in the past 12 months in the EU, will pay a Core Technology Fee.

Source: https://developer.apple.com/support/core-technology-fee/
 
So I guess EU iPhone users should be expecting B-I-G cuts to app prices now with all these changes? Surely the app developers will be rushing to pass on the tremendous savings from using 3rd party payment mechanisms, significantly reduced commissions and the ability to run their own 3rd party app stores?
 
Sorinut said:
It's not important to you, but it is to me and several others
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Maybe it's important to him as well but he's not allowed to say that, or it interferes with his AAPL card collection. :D
Note: I have a number of them myself and I still favor this even though it will hit me back, of course. But I can also diversify those stocks over numerous other financial options.
 
makitango said:
The EU has all the right in the world to decide what can be sold on their yard. Or is weed already legal everywhere where iPhones are sold?
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Just to be clear, I'm from the UK and was pro-EU / Remain. But they have never regulated down to this level before. Literally dictating how companies products behave a work where safety is not a concern.

Since the UK has left the EU has definitely gone out of control; it now seems to be a club of over-bearing ex-politicians who think they know best, eventually they will inadverantly block all innovation. My iPhone now must support third party stores because "europe is great", except for the fact there is pollution everywhere in Europe (UK included). Lets focus on the real problems shall we ?
 
gnipgnop said:
So I guess EU iPhone users should be expecting B-I-G cuts to app prices now with all these changes? Surely the app developers will be rushing to pass on the tremendous savings from using 3rd party payment mechanisms, significantly reduced commissions and the ability to run their own 3rd party app stores?
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It's about a market getting to decide for their own. It's not a savings sprint.
 
jole said:
According to Apple it does:

For developers who choose to agree to the new business terms, membership in the Apple Developer Program includes one million first annual installs per year for free for apps distributed from the App Store and/or alternative marketplaces. Developers who achieve exceptional scale on iOS, with apps that have over one million first annual installs in the past 12 months in the EU, will pay a Core Technology Fee.

Source: https://developer.apple.com/support/core-technology-fee/
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Exactly what I said: under 1M user, it doesn't apply. Nor on the App Store or outside.

It only apply after this reaching point
 
Ctrlos said:
Games consoles are a much smaller business though with loss-margins on hardware.
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Myth per loss-margins. Nintendo never used that approach and Sony/Microsoft abandoned it after the PS3/Xbox 360 generation. Sony/Microsoft currently try to get their hardware as close to break-even as they can for launch. They're willing to take small losses early but the goal is for the hardware to be profitable ASAP.
 
magicMac said:
My iPhone now must support third party stores because "europe is great", except for the fact there is pollution everywhere in Europe (UK included). Lets focus on the real problems shall we ?
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Any EU device must simply adhere to EU rules, as it always was. Laws have changed as they always do. This is not new sauce.
 
gnipgnop said:
Myth per loss-margins. Nintendo never used that approach and Sony/Microsoft abandoned it after the PS3/Xbox 360 generation. Sony/Microsoft currently try to get their hardware as close to break-even as they can for launch. They're willing to take small losses early but the goal is for the hardware to be profitable ASAP.
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Of course that would be the goal but the goal was unrealistic and will stay that way for quite a while. They are not naive and plan with that aspect in mind.
 
magicMac said:
My iPhone now must support third party stores because "europe is great"
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No. It’s because Apple controlling dictator style what can or cannot be put in to a device that one paid for. Using this same control methods, they favour their own apps above 3rd party apps.

How have you got its due to Europe thinking they’re great?

It’s the same with cookies. Before the EU stepped in websites could put what the hell they wanted in your computer. Not only could the average user not refuse it, but they couldn’t even know what it was or what it did.

And now with USBc, at least there is finally a charging standard. That’s been years coming. This is great, and Apple again was the last holdout.

These are not bad regulations. There’s plenty of other stuff to bitch about with the EU.

Of course, opinion matters, but it’s not inherently bad to regulate a closed company as big and as powerful as Apple to become more open and accessible.
 
NagasakiGG said:
"In a support document, Apple has explained why alternative app stores, alternative payment options, and other updates are being limited to the EU, highlighting risks like fraud, scams, and other privacy threats."
They're not wrong though. Ripping companies off by demanding 30% commission in fact is scam.
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They change business to use their platform and if you think app prices are going down I have a bridge in Arizona I been looking to sell.
 
Nicolas Som said:
Exactly what I said: under 1M user, it doesn't apply. Nor on the App Store or outside.

It only apply after this reaching point
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Yes.

Point was that one needs to pay tech fee also in Apple App Store. Thus making the commission go from 30% (previous terms) to 0.5 EUR / app / year (after 1M installs) + 17%.

News gave impression that Apple is decreasing the commission, but depending on your case the new one can be more or less.
 
Basic75 said:
Why would they change from what they currently use? For me it's always been the country of the credit card linked to my Apple ID.
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I don't think you need a credit card? My sister used an iPhone for years (US, then Canada), and never linked any debit or credit card..she just used gift cards. I don't know if she still does.
 
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