Spotify Submits iOS App Update With Out-of-App Purchase Options

[MacRumors]

Spotify today submitted an app update to Apple that will include information on Spotify plan costs and options to subscribe through weblinks without using the in-app purchase system. Spotify will not need to pay a fee to Apple when customers subscribe to the service using alternate payment methods in the Spotify app.

In a blog post announcing the changes, Spotify said that yesterday's ruling "delivers the benefits that all consumers deserve around the world," calling it a great day for Spotify users in the United States. Here's what Spotify says consumers will be able to do in the updated Spotify app:

• Can finally see how much something costs in our app, including pricing details on subscriptions and information about promotions that will save money;
• Can click a link to purchase the subscription of choice, upgrading from a Free account to one of our Premium plans;
• Can seamlessly click the link and easily change Premium subscriptions from Individual to a Student, Duo, or Family plan;
• Can use other payment options beyond just Apple's payment system--we provide a wider range of options on our website; and
• Going forward, this opens the door to other seamless buying opportunities that will directly benefit creators (think easy-to-purchase audiobooks)

Spotify said that it's "absurd" that it hasn't been able to offer these "basic services" to customers prior to now, and that "meaningful parts of Apple's anticompetitive barriers" have now been addressed, a change that is "long overdue."

According to Spotify, the decision could "unlock real opportunities for creators building their business and sharing their art with fans through Spotify." Publishers will soon be able to sell their audiobooks through the Spotify platform, for example.

Spotify, Epic Games, Patreon, and other app developers are submitting updates to the App Store with external purchase options. Apple has been ordered to allow developers to add links to external purchase options with no fee, "effective immediately."

Article Link: Spotify Submits iOS App Update With Out-of-App Purchase Options

 

[damienDevZ]

Publishers will soon be able to sell their audiobooks through the Spotify platform, for example.

Will we be able to buy audiobooks outside of Spotify without providing them commission and have them host it and play it through Spotify? Or will Spotify demand a cut for this?

 

[Think|Different]

Of course all these salty companies can turn around these developmental updates fast, while their customers wait years on years for wanted or promised QOL updates to their products. Despicable.

 

[TracesOfArsenic]

The software development world is healing.

 

[paulovsouza]

Prices better not go up anytime soon then.

 

[sjsharksfan12]

Are we going to get articles for every app that does this? It would be on brand for MacRumers, but might I suggest maybe in a week you provide a list of apps that did this and it can be an ever updating list every week/month? Just so you don't spam your own forum with somewhat the same article?

 

[damienDevZ]

It’s going to be very interesting to see how this all plays out.

 

[ctyrider]

It’s going to be very interesting to see how this all plays out.

Not really all that interesting.

Some developers who wish to keep more of their money will setup out-of-AppStore payment systems. Some will chose to keep their payments in App Store. The way it should have been from the very beginning.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Enjoy it while it lasts... When the customer service issues arise, IAPs that get lost, etc., then you will change your mind.

 

[SanderEvers]

My question to Spotify is, can I listen to music on your platform and just pay the artist / publisher of the song and not you?

 

[damienDevZ]

Not really all that interesting.

Some developers who wish to keep more of their money will setup out-of-AppStore payment systems. Some will chose to keep their payments in App Store. The way it should have been from the very beginning.

Doubt it. Take a look at this video and how easy it is for the developer to implement and user to use. I can imagine all devs implementing this. Why pay 30%, when you can get all the benifits of Apple ecosystem and store and instead give the 2.9% commission to Stripe.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1917830346332332329

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Not really all that interesting.

Some developers who wish to keep more of their money will setup out-of-AppStore payment systems. Some will chose to keep their payments in App Store. The way it should have been from the very beginning.

Years ago, that was the only way to do it, and it was a pain to maintain, very time consuming plus you had to pay someone to create it and maintain it. Plus all the legalities with eCommerce, privacy, security, etc.
Why do you think people embraced the AppStore when it launched?

 

[Aeronauts]

Spotify need to focus on delivering the Hi-Res music option they promised over 4 years ago.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

My question to Spotify is, can I listen to music on your platform and just pay the artist / publisher of the song and not you?

A very good point... Will they allow it?

 

[wbeasley]

It wont be cheaper outside the AppStore.

It will just put the 15% commission into Spotify's hands instead.

I got sick of their long promised features.
And bad company BS.
Went back to Apple Music, took my playlists over, 99% succeeded. All good.

Not going back to Spotify. Nasty company like Epic. Whinge Whinge Whinge.

 

[theinsaneworld]

Is Spotify going to finally bring airplay 2 or native HomePod support, even though it has been available to them for years?

 

[damienDevZ]

Years ago, that was the only way to do it, and it was a pain to maintain, very time consuming plus you had to pay someone to create it and maintain it. Plus all the legalities with eCommerce, privacy, security, etc.
Why do you think people embraced the AppStore when it launched?

I remember those days. Remember having to store application keys in a note somewhere or trying to reach out to a random dev for a refund or support. I don’t miss that. App Store solved all those problems.

 

[jlc1978]

My question to Spotify is, can I listen to music on your platform and just pay the artist / publisher of the song and not you?

What, you think creators should actually get paid directly with no interference? Think of Spotify’s investor’s children…

Why pay 30%, when you can get all the benifits of Apple ecosystem and store and instead give the 2.9% commission to Stripe.

I suspect Apple will find other ways to add fees outside of payments, such as hosting, per d/l, etc.

Companies making millions off of the app store shouldn’t expect to get a free ride. Of course, now they can cut prices significantly, oh wait.

 

[spunkystrawberries]

My question to Spotify is, can I listen to music on your platform and just pay the artist / publisher of the song and not you?

Oh I see what you did there.

 

[jinnj]

Prices better not go up anytime soon then.

Go up? According to Epic they would love to reduce the price but Apple would not allow it. (Ignoring that they pay the same fees on all other platforms).

 

[jinnj]

Are we going to get articles for every app that does this? It would be on brand for MacRumers, but might I suggest maybe in a week you provide a list of apps that did this and it can be an ever updating list every week/month? Just so you don't spam your own forum with somewhat the same article?

Or just one stating ... All Tencent backed companies will be doing this... and a few others.

 

[TracesOfArsenic]

Years ago, that was the only way to do it, and it was a pain to maintain, very time consuming plus you had to pay someone to create it and maintain it. Plus all the legalities with eCommerce, privacy, security, etc.
Why do you think people embraced the AppStore when it launched?

That's the beauty of this ruling, it's there for those that are big enough to implement it and everybody has the easy, built-in option. Win-win for consumers and developers.

 

[calvinline]

Some great benefits for Spotify there to increase their revenue without a cut going to Apple. I don’t see a customer benefit really there. How about a proper integration with HomePod? eg. Allowing users to add a song to a liked playlist with a voice command. Oh yeah and maybe pay the artists more while you are it.

 

[Naraxus]

But ofc they did. Daniel Ek always wanting the free ride to leech off Apple's hard work. He and Sweeny are two peas in a pod.

 

[rorschach]

I can see the cost of the developer program increasing significantly. Before the App Store, an ADC membership started at $499/year. I would not be surprised if they increased it for large companies.