WordPress for iOS Was Blocked From Updating Unless it Agreed to Add In-App Purchases for .Com Plans [Updated]

[Madmic23]

Is the website hosted on iCloud? No? Then Apple does not deserve a single cent. They don’t make money off purchases from Amazon. Why should they make money here? This isn’t something that can only be used in this one app.

Should Apple Pay be an option in the app? Sure! That makes sense, along with other payment options. But not this 30% nonsense.

 

[Enlightened Doggo]

Who in there right mind would use WordPress anyway?

MacRumors:

But seriously, way more fortune 100 companies use it than you might imagine.

 

[gank41]

I think a good analogy for this would be if Home Depot submitted a bug fix app update but Apple rejected it because they want their 30% cut of everything sold at Home Depot.

 

[farewelwilliams]

I don’t think most people here are bashing Apple for no reason. I’m here to try and understand the overall situation a bit better. In the Fortnite battle, I think Apple makes a strong case for what it has done, even though my kids who are customers have been negatively affected. There is no need to rehash all of that here so I won’t.

Wordpress has had this business model with no issues with Apple for as long as its app has been on the App Store. Now Apple seems like they’re trying to force an IAP system that doesn’t make sense for the consumer or the company, nor its own terms of service.

We are consumers of Apple products and have a vested interest in examining what’s going on and what could happen next to other products we rely on.

I think a lot of people are reacting without much info. If you want to try and understand the overall situation, try developing an app on iOS and other platforms. I have and I certainly think Apple has reasonable grounds to ask for 30% since us developers have far more resources at our disposal compared to other platforms like Android. This only allows to create better apps which will get more users to buy. This essentially helps grow the pie for all parties involved and I would very much rather take 70% of a bigger pie over 100% of a small pie.

 

[germinator]

The can was opened.
Next stop gov regulations cause I don't think apple will budge. Shareholders wouldn't be happy.

I'm a shareholder. I want to see Apple Store more open and fair. It's in the best long-term interest of the company.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

As someone who just returned to Apple, I am disappointed... but I also want to warn you, don’t leave just to prove a point. Google is the same. That’s why I left, and clearly I just left for another evil. Not the lesser of two evils. Just another equivalent.

At this point there is a mobile duopoly that is stifling innovation and harming the mobile tech world... and in this example extends to the internet itself.

But on Android there is not one monopoly app store, there are many existing choices. Developers can shop around for which store's terms and conditions they like, or if they're not happy with any of them, they can even create a new app store themselves. In fact, Android itself is open source and free, so you can even modify your own version of Android to install on your phone. This is far far far away from the Apple "evil" monopoly lock-in that you compare it to as if it is the same.

 

[gank41]

But on Android there is not one monopoly app store, there are many existing choices. Developers can shop around for which store's terms and conditions they like, or if they're not happy with any of them, they can even create a new app store themselves. In fact, Android itself is open source and free, so you can even modify your own version of Android to install on your phone. This is far far far away from the Apple "evil" monopoly lock-in that you compare it to as if it is the same.

I don’t think you can compare iOS to Android this way. Google licenses out Android for other hardware companies to distribute, much like how Microsoft does with PCs. They make the software to work on a bunch of different types of hardware, and leave it up to them as to what to do with it. Some make their own app stores with their own branding and stuff.

Apple makes the hardware and the software. That’s it.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Is the website hosted on iCloud? No? Then Apple does not deserve a single cent. They don’t make money off purchases from Amazon. Why should they make money here? This isn’t something that can only be used in this one app.

Should Apple Pay be an option in the app? Sure! That makes sense, along with other payment options. But not this 30% nonsense.

Apps use iCloud to store user preferences. Also some apps use CloudKit to power their apps (Google's Firebase can cost thousands per month). And certain apps rely on Apple Maps (which saves developers thousands of dollars compared to Google Maps). Everyone is free to use, and it costs nothing extra on top of $99/year + 30%.

Not to mention the app is hosted on Apple's many servers around the world.

 

[Madmic23]

Apps use iCloud to store user preferences. Also some apps use CloudKit to power their apps (Google's Firebase can cost thousands per month). And certain apps rely on Apple Maps (which saves developers thousands of dollars compared to Google Maps). Everyone is free to use, and it costs nothing extra on top of $99/year + 30%.

Not to mention the app is hosted on Apple's many servers around the world.

Should Apple take 30% of my pizza order? How about 30% of my cell phone bill if I pay it in my banking app? These situations make zero sense.

If I buy coins or new levels in Candy Crush? Sure! If the purchase is used only for that app, and the data is hosted on Apples servers, they 100% deserve a 30% cut of that.

But trying to take 30% of a payment for something just because it’s done through an app? No. What’s next? Demanding a 30% cut from purchases made on websites in Safari?

 

[Shirasaki]

I wonder why developers on day one decide to NOT pass Apple and Google commission fee to customers instead of footing the bill themselves? Had they passed the cost to customers from day one we might as well not have this conversation today. If Apple is unwilling to absorb the damage, why should other businesses do, unless the damage is done by themselves?

 

[macfacts]

I choose to pay the Apple Tax for the sake of a closed safe platform

The same platform that approved the fortnite app that lets users bypass apple pay. The apple store is not safe, that is an illusion you fell for.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

I don’t think you can compare iOS to Android this way. Google licenses out Android for other hardware companies to distribute, much like how Microsoft does with PCs. They make the software to work on a bunch of different types of hardware, and leave it up to them as to what to do with it. Some make their own app stores with their own branding and stuff.

Apple makes the hardware and the software. That’s it.

I completely fail to see your point.

 

[gank41]

I completely fail to see your point.

Google makes software and licenses it out to many different hardware companies. You are comparing Android’s scenario to a company that makes both the software and the hardware. You don’t see iOS on an LG phone.

The point is that they’re slightly different business models.

 

[kesennnnn]

I mean add Wordpress to the list of all the apps that have experienced the same thing- but is this not expected when the policies are supposed to be applied equally to all?

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

Yeah that’s what I’m trying to understand, too. I had a free Wordpress account at one time but generally am not that familiar with them. If they have hosting services for the public (not just iOS customers) that they sell through their own web site and purchase processing system, I don’t see how they are in violation of their terms of service with Apple by having an app to let people use part of Wordpress.

Is Apple trying to force Wordpress into rolling their hosting service into Apple’s payment service in the App Store? Just because Wordpress happens to offer an app for iOS users to publish on WP? That seems like an over reach if that is correct. But again, I am not completely clear as to what is happening here.

And again it’s not clear why Apple is doing this now after all this time. It seems hostile to its customers. I’d be inclined now to avoid doing anything through App Store apps for fear of suddenly one day being left high and dry.

There's two different Wordpress's: wordpress.org, which is open source and free; and wordpress.com, which is a commercialised Wordpress hosting, and plugin, platform. The article is about the .com version.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

Google makes software and licenses it out to many different hardware companies. You are comparing Android’s scenario to a company that makes both the software and the hardware. You don’t see iOS on an LG phone.

The point is that they’re slightly different business models.

I'm not sure you even have a point. Over and out dude.

 

[gank41]

I'm not sure you even have a point. Over and out dude.

And this has been one of the most condescending “conversations” I’ve ever had on this forum, “dude”...

 

[mnsportsgeek]

I wonder why developers on day one decide to NOT pass Apple and Google commission fee to customers instead of footing the bill themselves? Had they passed the cost to customers from day one we might as well not have this conversation today. If Apple is unwilling to absorb the damage, why should other businesses do, unless the damage is done by themselves?

Makes me wonder if Apple would have an issue with developers advertising their prices as “$10 + Taxes and Fees” for a $13 IAP.

In a world where profitability must always be on the rise, stuff like this is bound to happen. I have a hunch Apple wouldn’t allow it.

 

[Michael Scrip]

Apps use iCloud to store user preferences. Also some apps use CloudKit to power their apps (Google's Firebase can cost thousands per month). And certain apps rely on Apple Maps (which saves developers thousands of dollars compared to Google Maps). Everyone is free to use, and it costs nothing extra on top of $99/year + 30%.

Not to mention the app is hosted on Apple's many servers around the world.

I think the problem is that the 70/30 split was introduced in a time when apps cost $1 and Apple kept 30 cents. Nobody really had a problem with that back then.

But that split doesn't really make sense when we're talking about recurring services that occur on someone else's servers.

There are two things here. There's the Wordpress app which is distributed in Apple's store.

And there's Wordpress itself which is providing web hosting to their customers on their own servers.

Yes... I agree that developers should pay something to Apple to have their apps in their store. Apple is providing the platform, the SDKs, the store, app review, updates, etc. I get that. Apple should be compensated for the app.

But I'm not seeing how Apple should be entitled to 30% of my web hosting fee I pay to Wordpress. Apple's isn't running my website... Wordpress is.

Can you imagine signing up for the $45/mo plan in the app... and Apple getting $13/mo? Does that make any sense?

 

[paulgpetty]

If this leads to a separate app for self-hosted sites that can use an iOS share sheet without connecting to a Wordpress.com account and without Jetpack; this is great news! Thank you Apple.

 

[rp100]

Let’s go with plan B: developers and content creators tell Apple what they want to make on each sale (wholesale price), Apple pays them for the sale and can mark up the price to whatever they want to ensure profitability. Will we all hate Apple if they double their money on certain sales? Or are they only allowed to mark up the wholesale price by 15%? Those complaining want more revenue, yes, but they want it completely at the expense of Apple. Please, raise your price and see what the market can bear. There is a reason that Apple’s walled garden generates more revenue per user than Android and it’s because Apple has tended that garden well.


One way or another Apple is going to have to make a profit on the immense effort and infrastructure required to keep the system operating.

 

[reden]

This has been around since forever, why is it such a big deal now lol?

 

[kmann1983]

The can was opened.
Next stop gov regulations cause I don't think apple will budge. Shareholders wouldn't be happy.

And, personally, I hope the government comes down on Apple hard.
If there was an option to select other stores then I would side with Apple but with Apple desperately wanting to hold on to the walled garden but will allow companies to track our movements without us knowing -- then until they relinquish absolute control then they need to be held liable for privacy invasion.

It is no longer acceptable, due to the price of devices, to say "just go Android".

At the end of the day, I think being more open would be better for the consumer. If they want to act like they are a desktop replacement then they need to be more flexible.

If my kid ends up no longer using their iPad because too many games or apps are "banned" then they simply won't be with Apple anymore. Few companies are in a healthy state when they do this.

Would be sad to see a 2 trillion dollar company start to go down hill with poor decisions which all started at the root of pettiness with Amazon and being butt hurt that Amazon wanted a smooth experience on iOS and Android.

This makes me feel Apple is turning very anti-consumer.

 

[macfacts]

The wordpress app is not a consumption oriented app which is the basic requirement to skirt most of the policies.

Lotto apps don't pay 30% and aren't consumption apps.

 

[kmann1983]

Let’s go with plan B: developers and content creators tell Apple what they want to make on each sale (wholesale price), Apple pays them for the sale and can mark up the price to whatever they want to ensure profitability. Will we all hate Apple if they double their money on certain sales? Or are they only allowed to mark up the wholesale price by 15%? Those complaining want more revenue, yes, but they want it completely at the expense of Apple. Please, raise your price and see what the market can bear. There is a reason that Apple’s walled garden generates more revenue per user than Android and it’s because Apple has tended that garden well.


One way or another Apple is going to have to make a profit on the immense effort and infrastructure required to keep the system operating.

If Apple will fail because they are forced to be more cooperative then they deserve it. Companies that die from this kind of losing control -deserve- to die.