Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Be fair though, in your example MS would also have handle all the customer info, billing, customer service, and hosting the content. (iTunes profits for Apple are much less then 70% of sales.)

Apple doesn't host nor distribute the content and they are handling the payment because they have forced the companies to do this way. Til now, Apple wasn't handling anything
 
Ok, so why do you think then that it's good if these companies vanish from iOS platform? I thought you like the Apple alternative better, hmm

I didn't say it was good. I said that I was on the fence. In some cases, we are talking about middle men that don't add any value to the content. I wouldn't be sad to see them leave. Then you have resellers like Spotify that actually do provide a unique service. I would want them on iOS.

Apple still captured 82.7 percent of the mobile app market last year. Sounds like an Anti-trust case to me in the making.

82.7% and shrinking. Shows the market is behaving as you would expect. The first mover has a large initial advantage, and then other companies enter the market and the original company loses share. There is no need to regulate a market that is behaving as you would expect economically.
 
actually if you want to read the information Apple gave the FCC; http://www.apple.com/hotnews/apple-answers-fcc-questions/

Contrary to published reports, Apple has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it. The application has not been approved because, as submitted for review, it appears to alter the iPhone’s distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone’s core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls, text messaging and voicemail. Apple spent a lot of time and effort developing this distinct and innovative way to seamlessly deliver core functionality of the iPhone. For example, on an iPhone, the “Phone” icon that is always shown at the bottom of the Home Screen launches Apple’s mobile telephone application, providing access to Favorites, Recents, Contacts, a Keypad, and Visual Voicemail. The Google Voice application replaces Apple’s Visual Voicemail by routing calls through a separate Google Voice telephone number that stores any voicemail, preventing voicemail from being stored on the iPhone, i.e., disabling Apple’s Visual Voicemail. Similarly, SMS text messages are managed through the Google hub—replacing the iPhone’s text messaging feature. In addition, the iPhone user’s entire Contacts database is transferred to Google’s servers, and we have yet to obtain any assurances from Google that this data will only be used in appropriate ways. These factors present several new issues and questions to us that we are still pondering at this time.

Yeah, and none of this indicates "using private APIs" or "taking over native phone/SMS functions". Google Voice app simply used an alternative dialer, just like hundreds of other APPROVED applications in the app store.

GV did not break a single written rule of App Store dev agreement - Apple simply didn't want Google Voice on the platform.. until they changed their mind.
 
BTW....

This whole thread looks like it's turned into a virtual brawl of couch lawyers and geeks.

Mac Rumors Rumble! :rolleyes:

Also. But it seems more like some of the diehard fanbois are finally opening their eyes. At least that minority that doesn't use mom's credit card.
 
Another person posting without a clue.

AT&T had nothing to do with dis-allowing or allowing Google Voice. They said so publicly when FCC issued an inquiry. Google never "sold" anything related to Google Voice - both their app and the service are free.

3rd-party dev tools were banned in April 2010, and that decision was reversed in September 2010, about 5 months later.

You are right about AT&T not being involved. I was wrong. also I meant to type phone, not app. They were pushing their own phone.

As for 3rd party tools, they banned non-native runtimes, not 3rd party tools. And the April 2010 was not when they released the rule, it's when they clarified no java no flash. Here is article from iOS devs from early Sept 2010 talking about the issue.
http://www.infoworld.com/d/developer-world/the-wild-west-third-party-iphone-development-857
 
Logical fail. That Amazon app will be free on Android, WMP7, Blackberry, WebOS. That will look bad on iOS.

That's Apple's fail, not my logic fail. Many people here are arguing that these transactions cost Apple money and are therefor entitled to compensation.

I agree to a point. But only on the initial purchase. NOT on all subsequent ones. So if they want to start jerking developers and companies around demanding their share - then they can shoot themselves in the foot by having to charge for these apps to get their precious 30%.

Poor iOS for looking bad, WiiDSmoker. But that's the LOGICAL approach for companies like Amazon.

Why is Apple entitled for 30% of the revenue generated by a company just because they sold (gave away) the app?

If I buy a magazine from the store and then buy a subscription from a card inside the magazine - the store doesn't get a cut.

If I buy a DVD player from Amazon.com and the manufacturer has a catalog in the box of the dvd player with other items to purchase and I buy one directly from the manufacturer - Amazon doesn't get a cut.

Again - it's a slippery slope and I am very glad, if for no other reason, it's being investigated as to whether or not it's legal. People can criticize the investigation all they want - but be happy that we live in a world where consumer rights are protected "enough" that such investigations are done. Whatever the outcome.
 
Not very smart are we? :confused:

What? We were both wrong, I provided the explanation from the horse's mouth.

Yeah, and none of this indicates "using private APIs" or "taking over native phone/SMS functions". Google Voice app simply used an alternative dialer, just like hundreds of other APPROVED applications in the app store.

GV did not break a single written rule of App Store dev agreement - Apple simply didn't want Google Voice on the platform.. until they changed their mind.

If you feel that disabling voicemail and sms function on my iPhone is not "taking over native phone/SMS functions" then I guess we just disagree on the matter.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
As for 3rd party tools, they banned non-native runtimes, not 3rd party tools. And the April 2010 was not when they released the rule, it's when they clarified no java no flash. Here is article from iOS devs from early Sept 2010 talking about the issue.
http://www.infoworld.com/d/developer-world/the-wild-west-third-party-iphone-development-857

Apple's infamous infamous Dev Agreement section 3.3.1 change explicitly banned 3rd-party development frameworks. This took place in April 2010.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/a-change-at-apple-causes-trouble-for-adobe/?ref=technology

If you feel that disabling voicemail and sms function on my iPhone is not "taking over native phone/SMS functions" then I guess we just disagree on the matter.

They DID NOT disable SMS function or native voice mail. They just gave user a choice to use ALTERNATIVE SMS methods or optionally forward voicemail to another provider. Just like you can do with ANY other phone, or numerous other approved VoIP apps.

Seriously.. please stop posting when you have no clue of what you're talking about (or just unable to understand what's being said).
 
Seriously.. please stop posting when you don't know what you're talking about (or just unable to understand what's being said).

Apple's infamous infamous Dev Agreement section 3.3.1 change explicitly banned 3rd-party development frameworks. This took place in April 2010.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/a-change-at-apple-causes-trouble-for-adobe/?ref=technology

You article is about Adobe complaining Apple wouldn't play nice with them. Apple told them from the start they would not be allowed to play. The revised dev agreement spelled that out... Do you understand what a development framework is?
 
It's false that Google Voice disables SMS or voicemail of any phone.

the original version they submitted for approval when the whole thing blew up sent all the VMs and SMS to google, and disabled the phones native ability to handle those. Or so Apple said to the FCC, according to Apple.
 
the original version they submitted for approval when the whole thing blew up sent all the VMs and SMS to google, and disabled the phones native ability to handle those. Or so Apple said to the FCC, according to Apple.

And Elvis is alive.

It's impossible to do those things on the iPhone OS
 
That's Apple's fail, not my logic fail. Many people here are arguing that these transactions cost Apple money and are therefor entitled to compensation.

I agree to a point. But only on the initial purchase. NOT on all subsequent ones. So if they want to start jerking developers and companies around demanding their share - then they can shoot themselves in the foot by having to charge for these apps to get their precious 30%.

Poor iOS for looking bad, WiiDSmoker. But that's the LOGICAL approach for companies like Amazon.

Why is Apple entitled for 30% of the revenue generated by a company just because they sold (gave away) the app?

If I buy a magazine from the store and then buy a subscription from a card inside the magazine - the store doesn't get a cut.

If I buy a DVD player from Amazon.com and the manufacturer has a catalog in the box of the dvd player with other items to purchase and I buy one directly from the manufacturer - Amazon doesn't get a cut.

Again - it's a slippery slope and I am very glad, if for no other reason, it's being investigated as to whether or not it's legal. People can criticize the investigation all they want - but be happy that we live in a world where consumer rights are protected "enough" that such investigations are done. Whatever the outcome.

I'm not defending a 30% cut. I'd argue for less or flexibility But the argument that Apple needs to be justify the cut is just a red herring. Apple's statement is clear that they see the cut as a commission for a referral. Like the Amazon affiliate program or the cut that those guys that try to sell magazine subscriptions door to door get. Real estate agents get 25-35% of the total commission just for referring a client to another agent. Thousands of dollars.

I agree the amount is too much for some products or services, but the argument that Apple is not entitled to it is silly.
 
I'm not defending a 30% cut. I'd argue for less or flexibility But the argument that Apple needs to be justify the cut is just a red herring. Apple's statement is clear that they see the cut as a commission for a referral. Like the Amazon affiliate program or the cut that those guys that try to sell magazine subscriptions door to door get. Real estate agents get 25-35% of the total commission just for referring a client to another agent. Thousands of dollars.

I agree the amount is too much for some products or services, but the argument that Apple is not entitled to it is silly.

So, Google, Nokia, RIM or Microsoft can do the same, no?
 
You article is about Adobe complaining Apple wouldn't play nice with them. Apple told them from the start they would not be allowed to play. The revised dev agreement spelled that out... Do you understand what a development framework is?

"Apple told them from the start they would not be allowed to play" - you just keep spouting non-sequitur nonsense.

It is not above "Adobe complaining" or Flash - it's about Apple changing dev agreement rules, to prohibit non-native development tools. Which you would have known if you took a moment to actually read the link I pointed you to:

3.3.1 Applications must be originally written in Objective-C, C, C++ or JavaScript as executed by the iPhone OS WebKit engine, and only code written in C, C++ and Objective-C may compile and directly link against the Documented APIs (e.g., Applications that link to Documented APIs through an intermediary translation or compatibility layer or tool are prohibited).​

I am done wasting my time responding to you.
 
I'm not defending a 30% cut. I'd argue for less or flexibility But the argument that Apple needs to be justify the cut is just a red herring. Apple's statement is clear that they see the cut as a commission for a referral. Like the Amazon affiliate program or the cut that those guys that try to sell magazine subscriptions door to door get. Real estate agents get 25-35% of the total commission just for referring a client to another agent. Thousands of dollars.

I agree the amount is too much for some products or services, but the argument that Apple is not entitled to it is silly.

The amount and the fact it's in perpetuity is nonsense.

A real estate agent gets a commission on that one transaction of the referral. If 5, 10, 15 years from now that same client buys or sells with the "new" agent - the original referrer isn't entitled to squat.

I'm not opposed to Apple getting its cut either. From the original transaction. But they aren't entitled to leach profits when they aren't conducting the transaction.
 
So, Google, Nokia, RIM or Microsoft can do the same, no?

Charge a commission for referrals? Of course. What do you think Google's primary business model is?!

Microsoft would have to be careful with antitrust concerns on Windows.
 
I agree the amount is too much for some products or services, but the argument that Apple is not entitled to it is silly.
Why is that silly .. think about how many referals to something you give or get every that nobody get a cent for. Why doesn't Apple require "their" cut when I purchase soemthing of ebay using their app? I would maybe have never bought said item if it hadn't been for Apple and there ecosystem.

Apple has absolutely no leg to stand on, forcing people to comit exclusively to their service. Apple is not entitled more to a cut of the subscriptions, then they are to a cut of anything I buy of Amazon or Ebay using MacOS and Safari.

T.
 
The amount and the fact it's in perpetuity is nonsense.

Okay? I agree with you about the amount. I don't think Apple is a stranger to people thinking they charge too much.

I'm not opposed to Apple getting it's cut either. From the original transaction. But they aren't entitled to leach profits when they aren't conducting the transaction.

They are conducting each transaction. Not sure what you are trying to say here.
 
Charge a commission for referrals? Of course. What do you think Google's primary business model is?!

Microsoft would have to be careful with antitrust concerns on Windows.

And how do you know Apple has been the referral? They haven't promoted the content, they only forced the provider to use their system

Okay? I agree with you about the amount. I don't think Apple is a stranger to people thinking they charge too much.



They are conducting each transaction. Not sure what you are trying to say here.

They're conducting the transaction because they have forced the developer to implement it
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Why is that silly .. think about how many referals to something you give or get every that nobody get a cent for. Why doesn't Apple require "their" cut when I purchase soemthing of ebay using their app? I would maybe have never bought said item if it hadn't been for Apple and there ecosystem.

Apple has absolutely no leg to stand on, forcing people to comit exclusively to their service. Apple is not entitled more to a cut of the subscriptions, then they are to a cut of anything I buy of Amazon or Ebay using MacOS and Safari.

T.

It's silly, because Apple is "entitled" to whatever amount they negotiate with the companies that they do business with. If someone agrees to pay me to sit and stare out the window for 6 hours a day, I am "entitled" to that money. Apple doesn't need to justify the amount with backend costs or anything else.

And just to be clear, I'm pessimistic that this strategy will work out well for Apple or consumers. I think the amount they are charging is too much for certain types of products/services. In other words, I think they are making a bad business decision. They don't agree with me. They have a better track record than me, so who knows.
 
Okay? I agree with you about the amount. I don't think Apple is a stranger to people thinking they charge too much.



They are conducting each transaction. Not sure what you are trying to say here.

I "buy" or get the Amazon app from the app store. That's ONE transaction. Apple is entitled to a commission on THAT transaction since they brokered the transaction. They have a cost involved in processing the request and delivery.

If I buy a book on the amazon website - Apple isn't doing anything in terms of cc# processing or delivery. Amazon is handling that transaction and cost.

Why is it OK for Apple to get cuts on transactions they aren't involved with?

The real solution here - although not very customer friendly - but what Apple is going to force developers to do - is simply not have a button to go to the company website to make purchases. Instead, people will have to just open up safari or whatever on their phones/computers and make the purchases and then send them/copy them to the phone to consume.

But again - slippery slope - because where does this new "rule" end. What about a lot of apps like Fandango, Ebay, Best Buy, etc that offer ways to make purchases via their website (via their app). Where does Apple draw the line. And will they on their demand for 30%?
 
That would be fine if it was Microsoft's market space that got me there and Microsoft was handling the transaction and the risk with the transaction... If someone signs up for netflix because they can watch it on their iPhone and they use their Apple id to pay for the service every month, why shouldn't Apple get a cut...

Why is it that people throw all logic out the window when dealing with Apple? What would you think if MS changed Windows EULA or TOS and said "any music bought on the Windows OS must go through MS payment processing system and we now get a 30% cut?" On top of that what if MS also decided they wanted some of the ipod revenue for every iPod that gets synced on a Windows machine. If you follow Apples logic to its conclusion that is what Apple is wanting to do.
 
They're conducting the transaction because they have forced the developer to implement it

Exactly. But when subsequently every month my money goes to Netflix, and their movies through ISP onto my device, what has Apple got to do with it?
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.