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Netflix is the latest company to try bypassing Apple’s app store

marketwatch.com

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Re: Netflix is the latest company to try bypassing Apple’s app store

#191

Post by tommymachine »

dperfect wrote: post #174

> They are being redirected to the mobile web version of the app and asked to enter payment details with Netflix directly. Sorry, but if Apple's policies are applied consistently (I know they often aren't), this won't fly. I have an app with a basic email/password sign-in screen (the app represents a small part of a larger web-based SaaS product). Apple has rejected my app for including anything in the app that even…

It will be some vague "you can't do this here" message that doesn't directly link. A la current state of affairs with Spotify / Audible / Amazon

As a suggestion regarding your situation... obviously its more work but you could always open the support pages in a webView that blocks the purchase urls via [1].

1. https://developer.apple.com/documentation/uikit/uiwebviewdel...

Re: Netflix is the latest company to try bypassing Apple’s app store

#192

Post by bluedino »

wvenable wrote: post #159
NeedMoreTea wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For the non-technical majority they are a huge advantage. We're never going to have average users fully technically aware. I well remember the state of Windows during Win 98 and XP where most had no idea what they were downloading, and it seemed every machine had malware, hidden pop ups and 37 IE toolbars. I was constantly asked to clean up friend's machines from the damage done by Kazaa and its associated garbage or…

Imagine of Microsoft had a similar store to Apple in 1995 with the same restrictions on downloading and executing external code. The web itself could have been killed in the cradle on day one. The fact that you are here typing this reply right now is entirely because of the state of Windows during 98 and XP. It's a balance between security and freedom. You are arguing for the benefit of security while ignoring the ef…

Imagine if AOL had created 'apps' you could run, only while connected to AOL? I mean they had games and things like being able to buy airline tickets, and chat rooms, but imagine if there were 3rd party access.

Re: Netflix is the latest company to try bypassing Apple’s app store

#193

Post by chrischen »

The reason why Apple charges 30%—and is justifiable in doing so—is because the App store itself is a marketing platform.

If a user discovers the Netflix app, signs up, they are essentially discovering Netflix through the App store.

If a user discovers Netflix elsewhere, they can be pointed to download the app for extended utility.

In the latter case, it doesn't violate Apple's 30% revenue cut policy. But if they want to target people who discover Netflix from the App store platform, then they would have to pay.

Re: Netflix is the latest company to try bypassing Apple’s app store

#194

Post by njarboe »

eunoia wrote: post #190
wvenable wrote: post #159

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Imagine of Microsoft had a similar store to Apple in 1995 with the same restrictions on downloading and executing external code. The web itself could have been killed in the cradle on day one. The fact that you are here typing this reply right now is entirely because of the state of Windows during 98 and XP. It's a balance between security and freedom. You are arguing for the benefit of security while ignoring the ef…

> We're never going to have average users fully technically aware. OP is establishing that there are different types of users with different usage requirements. You and Grandma are very different users. Grandma is probably much better served by an iPad and App Store than a true general computing device. Grandma is also not going to invent the next internet. Maybe we should embrace this dichotomy instead of pretending…

At this point in time "Grandma" could have been involved in the creation of the internet and working on the next big thing. Maybe use the word expert or techie or something.

Edit: :)

Re: Netflix is the latest company to try bypassing Apple’s app store

#195

Post by chrischen »

dperfect wrote: post #174

> They are being redirected to the mobile web version of the app and asked to enter payment details with Netflix directly. Sorry, but if Apple's policies are applied consistently (I know they often aren't), this won't fly. I have an app with a basic email/password sign-in screen (the app represents a small part of a larger web-based SaaS product). Apple has rejected my app for including anything in the app that even…

But why would people be signing up from your App if not by discovering about your app through the App store? Is that not marketing through the App store?

Re: Netflix is the latest company to try bypassing Apple’s app store

#196

Post by wvenable »

eunoia wrote: post #190
wvenable wrote: post #159

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Imagine of Microsoft had a similar store to Apple in 1995 with the same restrictions on downloading and executing external code. The web itself could have been killed in the cradle on day one. The fact that you are here typing this reply right now is entirely because of the state of Windows during 98 and XP. It's a balance between security and freedom. You are arguing for the benefit of security while ignoring the ef…

> We're never going to have average users fully technically aware. OP is establishing that there are different types of users with different usage requirements. You and Grandma are very different users. Grandma is probably much better served by an iPad and App Store than a true general computing device. Grandma is also not going to invent the next internet. Maybe we should embrace this dichotomy instead of pretending…

There are two problems with this: Both these types of users can't co-exist on the same device type or ecosystem. Grandma might not invent the next internet on an iPad but your kid is also never going to get that opportunity.

And secondly, since you can't install the next internet on the iPad, Grandma is never going to get to use it.

Re: Netflix is the latest company to try bypassing Apple’s app store

#197

Post by donarb »

tolmasky wrote: post #165
donarb wrote: post #160

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Who cares what the developer has to pay Apple? Do you care how much the developer pays in rent for his office, or his high speed internet? Maybe the app would be cheaper if the developer pays himself $50/hour rather than $100. All of those costs are part of the app price as well.

I would absolutely care if a new price materialized out of thin air that then got passed off to me. 30% is a lot. I posit that if a new 30% penalty was instilled tomorrow in just about every piece of software you interacted with, you would both notice and care. I also care when the 30% applies solely by proxy through me. That is to say, since Apple doesn't allow you to differentiate pricing on the Store (IOW, charge…

What new price? Apple's 30% has been in place since the App Store opened. Outside of the HN bubble, users have no idea what Apple charges developers, nor do they care. If a customer wants an app, they check the price and determine if they want to pay it or not, just as business is conducted every day all around the world.

If a developer is losing money building apps (most cut their own throat with $.99 apps), they need to increase the price to cover their costs, that's Business 101.

Re: Netflix is the latest company to try bypassing Apple’s app store

#198

Post by inawarminister »

c487bd62 wrote: post #58

Does this means that any app distributed outside the store doesn't get access to closed features like Google Cloud Messaging? If so that's another reason to support sideloading since right now using MicroG seems like a pain in the ass (if you, like me, need a lot of problematic apps)

Uh, I used to install apps directly from APKs and they don't seem to disable GCM or any other features?

Different outcome when you haven't flashed gapps though. Haha.

Re: Netflix is the latest company to try bypassing Apple’s app store

#199

Post by 8ytecoder »

chrischen wrote: post #195
dperfect wrote: post #174

> They are being redirected to the mobile web version of the app and asked to enter payment details with Netflix directly. Sorry, but if Apple's policies are applied consistently (I know they often aren't), this won't fly. I have an app with a basic email/password sign-in screen (the app represents a small part of a larger web-based SaaS product). Apple has rejected my app for including anything in the app that even…

But why would people be signing up from your App if not by discovering about your app through the App store? Is that not marketing through the App store?

Searching for Netflix on Google, the App Store link is the second link with reviews and a button to install. Right after the main website. Which one do you think a user is likely to click? Is that App store marketing? In an App centric world there are countless other ways where users discovers apps first or even developers/businesses/website want the users to download the app first.

Re: Netflix is the latest company to try bypassing Apple’s app store

#200

Post by bubblethink »

chrischen wrote: post #193

The reason why Apple charges 30%—and is justifiable in doing so—is because the App store itself is a marketing platform. If a user discovers the Netflix app, signs up, they are essentially discovering Netflix through the App store. If a user discovers Netflix elsewhere, they can be pointed to download the app for extended utility. In the latter case, it doesn't violate Apple's 30% revenue cut policy. But if they want…

Salesmen have one-time commissions or finders fees. You won't pay your sales agent a cut of your mortgage every month, would you ?
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