The big problem with Apple and Nintendo is that compared to other companies, they don't have enough rules for app submission written out, and that many of the rules are vague enough to be subject to individual interpretation. The end result is chaos.
Apple rejects appeal from email app Hey
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Re: Apple rejects appeal from email app Hey
#112Earlier quoted context omitted.
But Netflix offers in app purchases.
No it doesn’t. https://www.macrumors.com/2018/12/28/netflix-no-more-itunes-... Edit: I usually don’t comment on downvotes but what the hell? https://help.netflix.com/en/node/25097 iTunes billing for Netflix is not available to new or rejoining Netflix customers. If you are attempting to create an account on an iOS mobile device, you can sign up on Netflix.com using a mobile browser and will be prompted to provide an…
https://imgur.com/a/t6AqwEx
That's what the App Store shows me...
Re: Apple rejects appeal from email app Hey
#113Earlier quoted context omitted.
I said dollars, not hours. I stand by that estimate. Right now there's no mobile-first onboarding flow. That's a completely new thing they'll have to build. They'll also need to update all of their code that checks subscriptions, handles dunning, etc., to now work with multiple billing providers. So yeah, it's going to take a lot of time, which is a lot of dollars.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars to do in app purchases. As an example, do you really think Marco Arment - sole creator of Instapaper before he sold it, The Magazine, and now Overcast spent “hundreds of thousands of dollars” just to create in app purchases?
evan_ is thinking in terms of "What would it cost to get a bunch of depressed FAANG engineers to code this as part of their day job?", and you're thinking in terms of "How many packages of instant ramen will a motivated entrepreneur have to eat while he codes this in his parents' basement?"
Both valid perspectives IMO.
Re: Apple rejects appeal from email app Hey
#114Earlier quoted context omitted.
> I do not believe Apple's tax for IAP applies for physical goods or services. Only digital products or goods. If those companies are charging more, it might be for another reason. Food delivery apps have their own commissions.
Source? I believe you, but I am interested in learning more and I'm not finding anything. Would love to read if you have a link handy.
https://www.saddlebackbbq.com/how-google-doordash-grubhub-co...
You can find plenty of stuff on HN alone if you search for "grubhub" (and probably with any other food delivery app name).
Re: Apple rejects appeal from email app Hey
#115From the article > could work within Apple's rules by allowing the app to function as a reader for standard e-mail, while also offering Hey subscriptions This is apple's new stance or is it conventional wisdom for store policy? If only Hey also worked with regular mail all would have been well?
It was a suggestion on how to update their app to comply with the policy - basically offer a free version that's just like any other email app.
Re: Apple rejects appeal from email app Hey
#116> "All the rules they're citing should apply to Gmail and Outlook as well," Hansson told Axios. " I agree Apple is being inconsistent here, but not vis a vis gmail and outlook. Those are free services, so they’re not the right comparison. Apple doesn’t require IAP for these because there is no payment involved. Netflix, on the other hand, proves that Apple does allow apps that are useless unless the user has a separa…
Google does charge for additional Gmail storage in the form of Google One.
Re: Apple rejects appeal from email app Hey
#117Earlier quoted context omitted.
Again, the rules are clear, readers are a specific exemption. I would say that Microsoft Office stands out in tht list as the only thing delivery functionality not content - but I don't know the details of that app.
What about Fastmail? ( https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/fastmail-email-calendar/id9313... )
I would say that example breaks the rules, I don't know how popular it is - we need to be realistic about how often an App store with millions of apps is going to miss something.
Re: Apple rejects appeal from email app Hey
#118I don't think picking a fight with Apple as a PR strategy is a good move. The rules on the app store are very clear, if you're charging a subscription for functionality you're providing through an iOS app, that subscription must be available through Apple's payment system. I know people don't like that, but it's not unexpected. So given that Hey knew the rules, it seems a bit manipulative for them to submit their app…
Explain Spotify and Netflix? The Hey app copies Netflix almost exactly, even in the language used for the subscription? How is that very clear for a rule?
They seem to fall under the “reader app” exception that I understand as basically consumption of licensed works such as movies, songs, books.
My guess is that those categories just don’t have the margins to support a 30% cut without charging more then other platforms. An email service, dating all or games are basically arbitrary prices where every sale is making some money for the company. The store cut is annoying, but basically it’s still revenue.
Re: Apple rejects appeal from email app Hey
#119Re: Apple rejects appeal from email app Hey
#120Some people here seem to be responding to all of this inappropriately.
The simple fact is that Apple is injecting itself as an intermediary in the payment process and extracting a preposterously oversized commission for no meaningful added value.
And it's easy to see that Apple knows what they're doing is wrong. They strictly prohibit developers from signaling that there's an extra cost for purchases made through Apple's system or that there are alternative payment options available. A well-informed consumer would be a clear threat to Apple's gravy train.
This system should have never emerged to begin with. It's highly unethical and, given the direction things are taking [1], will likely be found in violation of antitrust laws.
[1] https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/13/supreme-court-rules-agains...