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TinyGrab abandons iOS because of new App Store rules

blog.tinygrab.com

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Re: TinyGrab abandons iOS because of new App Store rules

#11

Post by jordanroher »

e1ven wrote: post #6
nika wrote: post #4

The rule has been in the T&C since launch of the AppStore. Apple didn't provide a mechanism for in app purchase of subscriptions, and so was lax in enforcing it. But it isn't like this is news to anyone who read the T&C.

I saw a similar comment in the other thread about this. Regardless of whether or not it was noted earlier, it is behavior that many people consider unacceptable. Many App developers are being forced to change their practices, and find the new rules too burdensome to continue.

Many App developers are being forced to change their practices, and find the new rules too burdensome to continue.

Which is the best solution to this problem. Please let this be the first use of the remote kill functionality. I have an iPad. While I would be a little sad to see big players like Netflix and Amazon pull their apps, I will be delighted with the uproar when the general public finds out about this. Unless the companies cave to Apple, this will make the Objective-C debacle look like small change.

Re: TinyGrab abandons iOS because of new App Store rules

#13

Post by nickconfer »

This feels more like a good marketing attempt by TinyGrab than the real deal. For starters, just like many other services calling foul, TinyGrab has not removed its app from the app store. Everyone is waiting out the deadline for compliance which seems to indicate that companies are hoping Apple will change course and are more or less playing a game of chicken in the meantime.

Many of the issues they also explain as problems can be resolved in their case. For instance while Apple will have the registration data, they could set up a way for customers to allow access to other devices.

What we're more likely seeing that they have 3 reviews since their version 2 release in December, is that TinyGrab just is not that popular on the iPhone. They could make the changes, but it wouldn't be worth the trouble. So, whether intentionally or not, they've made a blog press release that will get a good deal of attention and probably be more valuable to them then doing nothing and staying on the app store as is.

Re: TinyGrab abandons iOS because of new App Store rules

#14

Post by camcaine »

fat_tony wrote: post #10

The page didn't load for me. So here is the cached version. We love Apple, we really do. Let’s face it, without them TinyGrab just wouldn’t exist and none of us would be reading this right now; for this we’re incredibly indebted to them. The homebrew and independent app development community for OS X is wonderful and vibrant. It’s profitable and turns out amazingly good apps. Until iOS was on the scene I think it’s s…

I agree. With many applications it makes no sense to buy anything 'in app'. The app I was working on (now halted) would require information from an online account, that would not work in reverse. I can understand this thinking behind this for real in app purchasing. But it definitely locks out apps that enhance functionality cross-platform service.

Re: TinyGrab abandons iOS because of new App Store rules

#15

Post by brownleej »

jarin wrote: post #12

I wonder how this works for apps connecting to APIs that they don't own. For example, if I'm not 37signals and I make a Basecamp app, would it get rejected because I don't have access to their billing API?

Along the same lines, how would this affect an email client that connects to a paid email service? Would be accessing content purchased outside the device?

Re: TinyGrab abandons iOS because of new App Store rules

#16

Post by marshray »

nickconfer wrote: post #13

This feels more like a good marketing attempt by TinyGrab than the real deal. For starters, just like many other services calling foul, TinyGrab has not removed its app from the app store. Everyone is waiting out the deadline for compliance which seems to indicate that companies are hoping Apple will change course and are more or less playing a game of chicken in the meantime. Many of the issues they also explain as…

This feels more like a good marketing attempt by TinyGrab than the real deal.

Are you saying their analysis is wrong and the new terms of the Apple store will permit their app?

This is an honest question, I totally don't understand Apple's development and distribution model.

Re: TinyGrab abandons iOS because of new App Store rules

#18

Post by mryall »

msbarnett wrote: post #7
st3fan wrote: post #2

I wonder if they are right about having to give 30% to Apple in this case. From what I read it sounds like you are only supposed to do that when you allow people to actually register / sign up for the service from the iOS app. If you already have an account and you simply login to use the iOS app as a 'companion' app, there is no Apple greed involved. No?

If you allow people to subscribe outside the app, you also must add functionality to allow them to subscribe through the app, and subscriptions through the latter mechanism will cost you the 30% Apple Tithe. A lot of companies just can't afford to have a group of users who cost the same as everyone else but only bring in 70% as much revenue.

> A lot of companies just can't afford to have a group of users who cost the same as everyone else but only bring in 70% as much revenue.

True, but it now seems like those who can are going to be the companies who succeed on iOS. It's sad to say it, but this is another situation where companies will need to adapt or die.

Re: TinyGrab abandons iOS because of new App Store rules

#19

Post by msbarnett »

mryall wrote: post #18
msbarnett wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you allow people to subscribe outside the app, you also must add functionality to allow them to subscribe through the app, and subscriptions through the latter mechanism will cost you the 30% Apple Tithe. A lot of companies just can't afford to have a group of users who cost the same as everyone else but only bring in 70% as much revenue.

> A lot of companies just can't afford to have a group of users who cost the same as everyone else but only bring in 70% as much revenue. True, but it now seems like those who can are going to be the companies who succeed on iOS. It's sad to say it, but this is another situation where companies will need to adapt or die.

That's one possible outcome. Another possible outcome is the one in which iOS, now lacking access to Kindle, Netflix, Evernote, and anything else that made it the least bit useful and interesting, gets kicked to the curb in favor of something that actually supports a lot of consumers' interests.

Frankly, the latter is a hell of a lot more likely looking from where I'm sitting.

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