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ProtonMail Compares Apple to Mafia, Says App Was Forced Into In-App Purchases in 2018
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Before:
Documents show Apple gave Amazon special treatment to get Prime Video into App Store
Apple agreed to charge Amazon a 15 percent fee instead of the standard 30 for subscriptions.
www.theverge.com
Apple now lets some video streaming apps bypass the App Store cut
Amazon’s Prime Video app joined the program today
www.theverge.com
You bring in billions in revenue and you’ll get a special deal also. Apple is under no obligation not to give high value customers special deals. And by them doing so doesn’t mean equal customer treatment doesn’t exist.Before:
After:Documents show Apple gave Amazon special treatment to get Prime Video into App Store
Apple agreed to charge Amazon a 15 percent fee instead of the standard 30 for subscriptions.
It's real, and none is mentioned in their rules.Apple now lets some video streaming apps bypass the App Store cut
Amazon’s Prime Video app joined the program today
Simple fix. Don't mention paid plans on creating the account, but send a welcome email to new accounts with a link that opens in safari (not an internal browser if they have one) to their paid plans. This isn't breaking any rules.
They don't state that anywhere is all I'm saying. What else are they not stating then, or are they making things up as they go?
Only as a long time customer, I know that this wasn’t the case. ProtonMail were telling people, from the app, to buy a subscription from the website against App Store rules. Apple asked them to remove the text or add IAP....exactly like they’ve been doing to everybody.
“Educate yourself” indeed.
I got what you are saying. But they don't need to say anything about it. They don't need to advertise high-value customers get special deals as other businesses who cater to high value customers and don't have a rule book to show the special treatment.
Apple acting in an unfavorable manner based on the wind, would certainly gather some scrutiny. Otherwise, it's their platform and for a few exceptions out of the total, it doesn't really matter what they are not stating...for it's none of our business.
I'm sure there is some changing course in real time, just like we all have to do with life.
That’s my understanding.
It’s making a mountain out of a mole hill.
Especially for an email app with a free tier.
Download app- sign up for free tier in app- receive email explaining paid options.
I’m a proton user, paid since nearly its inception. But this move has me doubting their integrity to be honest.
And do you really think that having prominent product placement in a show is free?
You eventually will not have a choice. Epic will do EXACTLY what they are doing with PC market and Steam. Games like Borderlands 3, Control, Satisfactory, Metro Exodus, Crysis Remaster and many more started as Epic Store exclusives. They will do the same thing on iOS if multiple stores are allowed, so good luck sticking with Apple App Store when Epic purchases exclusivity deals.
The only way this will happen if if the PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Series Monopoly of digital stores are also impacted. Otherwise its just going after Apple because they are Apple. I have said it before, I would love to create an Xbox game, publish it on my website, and allow others to download it directly from my website without going through all the hassle of getting it on the Xbox Store.
I guess you have never been in the middle of a urgent issue at work and getting text messages and phone calls that your credit card is being used in states thousands of miles away. It is not only distracting you from your work, it adds a lot of stress to your day.
I really don't understand why people are shocked about a company like Amazon getting a special deal, which became available for ALL developers BTW!
They don't get 50%+ of the US market in a year, it took many years.
Just because no one dared to challenge it before doesn't mean it's good.
And do you really think that having prominent product placement in a show is free?
sorry I don't get what you’re trying to say
I don't think its wrong to advertise your product/services in your app. I get why they ban them from advertising a cheaper purchase else where, but if you don't have iap in the first place whats wrong with saying "Go to our site and signup for a full year for just $10" ?
Because then everyone would create a free app and just have an external link on the app.
Creating a rule that states your app can be free to download and free to use means the AppStore has this great free content culture. (As a side thought, This is primarily why (in my opinion) it costs a small fee to enrol in the first place- it’s to ensure you’re serious as a dev and can’t just add anything at a whim).
If you negate that rule by allowing any app to be free because they just state in the app where to purchase would mean both; Apple receiving no money for their work, and apps in the AppStore just becoming essentially adverts for where to get the ‘real’ content.
This would irreparably change the AppStore, it’s easy to see.
Your app has to be usable upon downloading, so for an email app with a free tier, such as proton are offering, the whole thing is extremely easy to bypass without any issue. Just email the signee with your purchase plans and where to get them. Apple doesn’t care.
Not everything has to be as cheap as it possible can be. So as a consumer, I care more about the product than the cost. If the service is worth it, then I’ll buy it.
As a business owner myself (photographer), any business costs incurred are directly reflected in the price of my service. That, actually, happens to include several companies where I get booking from who change 30% commission. If I use that service and it gets me bookings, then I incorporate the service charge into my fee and I’m good to go. If it’s rubbish, I don’t use it.
It’s really really no different at all. All talks of a monopoly are way overboard for a single app market on one handset amongst many, talking of mafia style shake downs is just absurd.
What was Apple‘s US smartphone app store share in 2009, a year after it opened? I can’t think of who the competition would have been. Android launched their first device in late 2008. You’ll have to provide a reference to support your argument here.
Edit: never mind, I found it. RIM, Nokia, MS and Palm weren‘t even launching app stores until 2009, a year after Apple. Here’s a prediction that Apple‘a market share would fall to 50% by 2011:
App Store wars, predictions by CellStrat and suggested strategy
There is an excellent article in Business Week (April 6, 2009 print edition) this week on Mobile App Store wars by Reena Jana and Peter Burrows. Below is a summary with some additional comments by …
cellstrat.wordpress.com
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I don't know how old you are, but you clearly haven't been around much or are very US focussed. There were many app stores around the world. That article is very wrong as well. Many in the earlier days were run by carriers as opposed to manufacturers.What was Apple‘s US smartphone app store share in 2009, a year after it opened? I can’t think of who the competition would have been. Android launched their first device in late 2008. You’ll have to provide a reference to support your argument here.
Edit: never mind, I found it. RIM, Nokia, MS and Palm weren‘t even launching app stores until 2009, a year after Apple. Here’s a prediction that Apple‘a market share would fall to 50% by 2011:
App Store wars, predictions by CellStrat and suggested strategy
There is an excellent article in Business Week (April 6, 2009 print edition) this week on Mobile App Store wars by Reena Jana and Peter Burrows. Below is a summary with some additional comments by …
The comment I was replying to was US focused...
Can you pull up any reference to the US market share of the Apple App Store in 2009ish?
That maybe true - I remember them well, I also remember the frustration of using these devices and these stores. They where nowhere near the scope or the scale of the type of App Store Apple, and others, subsequently released.
To be fair, ProtonMail is a service and not an app. So they incur ongoing cost outside of the app store that they have to include in their price tag on the App Store and Apple makes money on it. Its not like a game where you make it once, upload it once, and Apple gets a commission. Yes I understand your work around.
A bit chicken and egg situation. The devices weren't anywhere near as capable either.
It is much better now, most definitely. There is good choice between different stores. I'll have the Apple one over Google Play or Amazon anyday thank you very much.