The key difference is that Insight Timer delivers its experiences digitally, over Apple's platform, whereas Airbnb and Uber are tied to physical goods and services.
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Insight Timer CEO Upset With Apple's Abrupt Enforcement of App Store Rules [Updated]
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What's the matter? Don't use Apple, switch to Android. It's like a car market. You can't tell Ferrari - it's too expensive. You whether can afford it or not, as simple as that!
If you think about it, where it gets really murkey is mobile banking. The way I interpret App Store Guidelines, Apple should be entitled to 30% of any banking transaction that occurs in-app since the movement of money is all digital and is initiated on Apple's platform. Would be a nice way to pad my Apple stock (traded off platform, of course).
That yoga app is just one brick in the wall.
Why can't Insight Timer create it's own platform?
They absolutely will not change unless forced to by law.
Meditation doesn't make you not have feelings, it just helps you recognize them.
Meditation classes are frequently donation-based as to allow people without much income to attend.
More and more, I can no longer support Apple's definition of a "commission", especially at 15-30%. While I rarely do, I did tweet Tim Cook (again) suggesting that it's time for Apple to reconsider this model. Drop it to 5-10% across the board for everyone, and educate the Reviews team about the difference between a subscription fee and a tip.
Tough government regulation has made it impossible for developers to make their own platforms anymore. Just ask Phil or Craig.
It's a free market. If Apple seems greedy - quit it! Create affordable and enjoy!
Yes but only technically. If the tip system is set up, then there are social pressures to tip. You as a customer can technically choose to not tip, but the trade off is socially you will look/feel cheap or ungrateful or even cruel because a tip was expected to some degree (and possibly even counted on)—otherwise the tip system would not be in place. Employers set up these systems well aware of this predicament they put customers in. And they take advantage of it in order to not pay their employees competitively.
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Or if enough of us, and enough headlines, speak up loud and clear.
Don't be shy. We all pay a premium. Apple has gotten rich off of that. We're not asking for free, but we are asking for a change for the times. Apple no longer needs 30% on every single transaction within most paid apps! It's getting crazy how much free money they are getting.
A lot of restaurants are starting to add a % tip to the bill automatically, you don't get a choice anymore.
In all seriousness: if you say that these people rely on this money, it’s not really a tip, is it?
I know tipping is broken in the US but still. Otherwise, everything is a tip from now on: ordered something from Amazon and tipped the driver for it but the article was free. No need to pay taxes.. etc.
I know tipping is broken in the US but still. Otherwise, everything is a tip from now on: ordered something from Amazon and tipped the driver for it but the article was free. No need to pay taxes.. etc.
I fear we're well beyond the point where that it a reasonable option. Apple and Google as a duopoly in the smartphone market have essentially removed people's ability to effectively vote for change with their wallet.
To be clear, Apple's never needed 30% of every transaction. They took it because they could. And they offer just enough convenience that most normal people (i.e. the people who actually need to voice displeasure with this stuff) won't sacrifice any of it to improve things, because they don't really care about tech as long as it isn't too painful to use.
Now imagine JustGiving brought out an app and Apple snaffed 30% of the donations. That’s what it’s like stealing part of a tip; it’s not a purchase but an optional donation.
You don’t HAVE to tip anyone, ever.
It is not required to get the service so there isn’t a need for Apple to take a cut of that when they already got a cut of the subscription, which paid for the guided sessions.
Or in other words.
Roast Apple as much as possible but please make them somehow not notice who caused it.
What's hilarious about this argument is that it relies on Android existing the way that it does in order to allow Apple to be greedy.
So what if Google decided to copy Apple and do the same thing. All of a sudden there is no "alternative", does that mean apple can no longer be greedy?
If the instructors were e.g. AI generated characters who deliver instructions, the class/workshop would be digital content. We are talking about humans creating a service. That service is digitally delivered but the service itself is definitely NOT digital content. Apple obviously allowed it for a while and could easily continue to allow it because the content is clearly ANALOG.
What does tipping at a restaurant have to do with tipping virtual instructors?
My comment was specifically addressing spazzcat's comment about having "to tip virtual instructors" now. That is voluntary.
The only way to "speak up" is vote with your wallet. Money is the only language Tim Cook understands.
I think the work around for this: Apple forbid links to websites (might have been more along the lines of prohibiting links to payment sights.
I don’t think they prevented links to the website for customer support or help. A smart web developer could find ways around the limits.
