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You download the app and it doesn’t work

youdownloadtheappanditdoesntwork.com

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Re: You download the app and it doesn’t work

#331

Post by scq »

jpttsn wrote: post #290
TedDoesntTalk wrote: post #224

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why should software makers share their revenue with Apple? We don’t do it on android, Windows, macOS, linux, or anything else. The only value added by Apple is some kind of vetting (they don’t do code review, they just check that the app meets their recommendations... and they are called RECOMMENDATIONS not REQUIEMENTS). My app was recently rejected because i refused to sell in-app purchases and want to keep purchase…

It’s totally optional; if you don’t want to participate, don’t. Sell your software any way you want outside their store. Take out ads in local papers or something.

Apparently not: https://www.protocol.com/hey-email-app-store-rejection

According to Apple, if your app is not a "reader" app it must allow subscribing in-app.

Re: You download the app and it doesn’t work

#332

Post by TedDoesntTalk »

RonanTheGrey wrote: post #313
jpttsn wrote: post #200

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can’t relate to this. Some vendors sell me hardware, and I can bring my own software. Apple sells me more expensive hardware with the software only from their “partners”, which is “curated” and subject to a steep 30% distribution cut. Apple never tricked me into an iPhone believing I could run any random software. I know what I signed up for. Why should I feel entitled to anything else?

> I know what I signed up for. Why should I feel entitled to anything else? It's interesting you'd say that because it's actually not true (I am not accusing you of lying at all - I take your statement at face value!) What I mean is the following: When I buy a phone - no matter the maker - I have deep within me a default assumption that if I want some app, some provider, some service, some feature, on my phone - that…

> I know what I signed up for. Why should I feel entitled to anything else?

I bought an iPhone and had no idea bit torrent clients were banned

Re: You download the app and it doesn’t work

#333

Post by jeffchien »

pdonis wrote: post #251
MrStonedOne wrote: post #180

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I feel it pertinent to point out that comments like yours help keep the status quo. Pointing out that apple is not alone in a thread trying to raise awareness about apple's practices both distracts from apple's unethical behavior and contributes to normalizing the behavior in public perception. So my question to you is: do you want to see these unethical behaviors end? or continue?

Why is it unethical to charge a fee to developers who want to distribute their software through an app store that Apple owns? I get that it's unpleasant for developers who don't like the policy, and at some point it might have business consequences for Apple if they don't change the policy, but why is it unethical?

>Why is it unethical to charge a fee to developers who want to distribute their software through an app store that Apple owns?

This is only part of the complaint, right? The other parts is that:

* Apple has the only keys to the hardware platform.

* This is in contrast to Google or Steam, who also charge 30%, but do not completely own access to their respective hardware platforms.

* This is also in contrast to physical stores, because if a store does not sell a product (i.e. a grocery store chain does not carry some brand of beer), the product owner can usually still put it somewhere else that the consumer can freely access (excluding transportation costs).

* The policy regarding whether Apple should be entitled to the subscription fee is inconsistent and full of exceptions, which this website illustrates. My cynical take is that these exceptions have no real philosophy behind them, other than the fact that Apple needed certain major apps to be on iOS (i.e. Netflix, Tesla, Bloomberg, etc.).

* Slightly separate point, but still relevant: if Apple is entitled to subscription fees, Apple can make competitors that undercut other subscription services like Spotify, because they don't have to pay themselves the 30% fee. This is what Spotify complained about last year, and what I believe the EU is looking at. [1]

[1] https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/16/21292651/apple-eu-antitru...

(edit log: added newlines for easier reading)

Re: You download the app and it doesn’t work

#334

Post by monadic2 »

roenxi wrote: post #213
Wowfunhappy wrote: post #128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can use Google Chrome, and still use a non-Google search engine. I can use a Kindle, and still read DRM-Free epubs. Yes, all the major tech companies are engaged in rent seeking. But Apple is the only one that says users must either must pay rent or throw away their hardware. The App Store and its policies are not the problem. The App Store is Apple's store, just like Amazon.com is Amazon's store. But the App Store…

These things are true; and also a significant component of Apple's value proposition. An Apple customer can be sure they will: 1) Never need to learn what a "sideload" is 2) Never be exposed to Apps that havn't been vetted by a trustworthy party (in this case Apple) Apple is taking the opportunity to milk app developers, but they've done an effective job of positioning the milking process so that it is done in the us…

I wonder what people think Apple vets apps for.

Re: You download the app and it doesn’t work

#335

Post by nodamage »

MrStonedOne wrote: post #296
nodamage wrote: post #190

While I agree that Apple should probably relax their rules, this list of "exceptions" is not particularly compelling. The majority of them are companion apps for physical products/memberships for which the rules around in-app purchases do not apply: Tesla, Soho House, Wells Fargo, Blue Cross / Blue Shield, WeWork. Github has a free tier and doesn't require a paying membership to use. Netflix is a digital content app…

Its not a list of "exceptions". Part of the whole point is the relation to the quote at the start. In every one of those apps signing up "doesn't work" which goes against the stated goal of ensuring that users can download the app and expect it work . How can it work if you can't even sign into it because you can't sign up for it and they can't even tell you how to.

Except the app was not rejected for failing to meet the standards of the quote. It was rejected for failing to meet the App Store review guidelines.

This whole website is a strawman built against the false claim that you're not allowed to require a login to access your app, which has never actually been true.

Re: You download the app and it doesn’t work

#337

Post by nodamage »

wpm wrote: post #324
nodamage wrote: post #190

While I agree that Apple should probably relax their rules, this list of "exceptions" is not particularly compelling. The majority of them are companion apps for physical products/memberships for which the rules around in-app purchases do not apply: Tesla, Soho House, Wells Fargo, Blue Cross / Blue Shield, WeWork. Github has a free tier and doesn't require a paying membership to use. Netflix is a digital content app…

HEY is a digital content app too. Rich e-mails contain content, and are digital. Everything I look at on my smartphone is digital content.

Not by the definition given in section 3.1.3(a) of the App Store review guidelines.

Re: You download the app and it doesn’t work

#338

Post by stdgy »

ilikehurdles wrote: post #295
TedDoesntTalk wrote: post #224

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why should software makers share their revenue with Apple? We don’t do it on android, Windows, macOS, linux, or anything else. The only value added by Apple is some kind of vetting (they don’t do code review, they just check that the app meets their recommendations... and they are called RECOMMENDATIONS not REQUIEMENTS). My app was recently rejected because i refused to sell in-app purchases and want to keep purchase…

A store owner is not obligated to give you free placement on their shelves.

And customers aren't required to only shop at a single store. If the store doesn't have what I want, I should be able to go to another store.

Re: You download the app and it doesn’t work

#339

Post by wackget »

Why doesn't this website have an introductory paragraph at the top explaining what we're looking at? Seriously, there's zero context to this information. I was able to infer an understanding from the context of the page but it's terrible to expect your readers to have to do that.

Re: You download the app and it doesn’t work

#340

Post by jfoster »

evan_ wrote: post #236
troycarlson wrote: post #164

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is literally a play from their book, Rework. See the essay "Pick a fight."

So is Apple in on it? Remember, Apple initially approved the app.

No way. This is far too risky & damaging to them to be in on, unless they already plan to add lots of new exceptions/relaxations of rules around this.
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