Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

WordPressiOS Locked by App Store

twitter.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

1–10 of 355 posts

Re: WordPressiOS Locked by App Store

#2

Post by mmastrac »

Tweet thread - it looks like Apple is requiring in-app purchases to sign-up for wordpress.com accounts, despite it being an open-source app for any WordPress site:

> Heads up on why @WordPressiOS updates have been absent... we were locked by App Store. To be able to ship updates and bug fixes again we had to commit to support in-app purchases for .com plans. I know why this is problematic, open to suggestions. Allow others IAP? New name?

> New name: The app has always done a ton of work to support WordPresses hosted anywhere, using the XML-RPC API included in core WP since WP 2.6 was released in 2008. That's why we called it "WordPress" and not "http://WordPress.com" or "Jetpack."

> I am a big believer in the sanctity of licenses. (Open source relies on licenses and copyright.) We agreed to this license when we signed up for (and stayed in) the app store, so going to follow and abide by the rules. Not looking to skirt it, hence doing what they asked us to.

Alternate stories (though none are really that great):

MacRumors article that gives a (very) small background on this: https://www.macrumors.com/2020/08/21/wordpress-ios-app-apple...

The Verge, with slightly more context: https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/21/21396316/apple-wordpress-...

EDIT: Apple stated in the past that app updates would _not_ be held up over guideline disputes.

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/06/apple-reveals-new-dev...

"Second, for apps that are already on the App Store, bug fixes will no longer be delayed over guideline violations except for those related to legal issues. Developers will instead be able to address the issue in their next submission. "

Re: WordPressiOS Locked by App Store

#3

Post by giancarlostoro »

mmastrac wrote: post #2

Tweet thread - it looks like Apple is requiring in-app purchases to sign-up for wordpress.com accounts, despite it being an open-source app for any WordPress site: > Heads up on why @WordPressiOS updates have been absent... we were locked by App Store. To be able to ship updates and bug fixes again we had to commit to support in-app purchases for .com plans. I know why this is problematic, open to suggestions. Allow…

This is really sad. On the one hand, sure Apple should be able to make a cut on their app store, on the other hand, they shouldn't be allowed to force apps to do this sort of thing. This will only drive domain prices higher on iOS in order to compensate (in the case of Automattic). If I were in a position where Apple is forcing me to pay a 30% tax, I would literally add "30% Apple Tax" to the check out screen on top of the regular fees to make consumers aware. Course I'm sure Apple wouldn't like this at all either.

Re: WordPressiOS Locked by App Store

#5

Post by turblety »

I know I really don't matter to Apple, but this walled garden and app store dictatorship is what finally made me move away from iOS to Android last year. I had used Android in the past, but it was with Samsung Galaxy's which where very bloated and awful when compared to Apple.

But when a friend told me that Samsung just ruin Android [1] and I should try an actual Google phone, I bought a Pixel and it's honestly great.

I can install apps I build myself very easily without Google's input at all, although I don't even need to build apps since their PWA's can do almost anything I'd want.

I highly recommend people who are sick of this Apple crap, to try a Google Pixel. I haven't even needed to sign up for a Google account since using it (although I have to use an alternative app store).

I've already moved three family members over and after a few days they basically don't notice a different.

Between moving to my Pixel and a Purism laptop I'm pretty much free from Apple, apart from my work laptop, which isn't my choice.

1. Disclaimer! I am very privacy, open-source, freedom orientated so if you don't mind a bunch of binary blobs that track you maybe Samsung would work for you.

Re: WordPressiOS Locked by App Store

#6

Post by bilal4hmed »

Hamuko wrote: post #4

It's quite amazing how hard Apple is pushing this now with all of the extra regulatory eyes on the subject. I guess they're fairly confident that they're untouchable.

They are betting on the fact that arent a majority in any space. Its the best situation for them, then dont have majority market share but make the most revenue. They see Google being split up and therefore being the only game in town.

Re: WordPressiOS Locked by App Store

#7

Post by iphone_elegance »

giancarlostoro wrote: post #3
mmastrac wrote: post #2

Tweet thread - it looks like Apple is requiring in-app purchases to sign-up for wordpress.com accounts, despite it being an open-source app for any WordPress site: > Heads up on why @WordPressiOS updates have been absent... we were locked by App Store. To be able to ship updates and bug fixes again we had to commit to support in-app purchases for .com plans. I know why this is problematic, open to suggestions. Allow…

This is really sad. On the one hand, sure Apple should be able to make a cut on their app store, on the other hand, they shouldn't be allowed to force apps to do this sort of thing. This will only drive domain prices higher on iOS in order to compensate (in the case of Automattic). If I were in a position where Apple is forcing me to pay a 30% tax, I would literally add "30% Apple Tax" to the check out screen on top…

Isn't that against their guidelines? the closet I've seen in a 'mobile' tier of pricing that has to apply to android as well but that's only possible with some usecases

Re: WordPressiOS Locked by App Store

#8

Post by iphone_elegance »

Hamuko wrote: post #4

It's quite amazing how hard Apple is pushing this now with all of the extra regulatory eyes on the subject. I guess they're fairly confident that they're untouchable.

I'd imagine they have to start applying it more universally and strictly to make their case

Re: WordPressiOS Locked by App Store

#9

Post by draw_down »

Hamuko wrote: post #4

It's quite amazing how hard Apple is pushing this now with all of the extra regulatory eyes on the subject. I guess they're fairly confident that they're untouchable.

Is it the case that they are doing something particularly egregious now? Or are they being consistent with the rules for the app store that they've long had established?

Re: WordPressiOS Locked by App Store

#10

Post by fermienrico »

turblety wrote: post #5

I know I really don't matter to Apple, but this walled garden and app store dictatorship is what finally made me move away from iOS to Android last year. I had used Android in the past, but it was with Samsung Galaxy's which where very bloated and awful when compared to Apple. But when a friend told me that Samsung just ruin Android [1] and I should try an actual Google phone, I bought a Pixel and it's honestly great…

Unpopular opinion that I hold: The walled garden is exactly why I love Apple's iPhone. iPhone keeps the rifraff away, third-party sniffers at check, they've recently added clipboard notification if some app tries to paste random stuff from my clipboard (given that we use it so much for 1Password and other password managers).

I absolutely do not trust any third party - there are some insane apps like LinkedIn that tries to sell your privacy at every corner.

That said, Apple should allow Jailbreaking to aficionados who want to mess around with it. But, there should be significant impedance to that - your average joe working as a bartender doesn't have a clue of how to keep his iPhone secure. Apple should make it explicitly clear - hey! ALL BETS ARE OFF WHEN YOU JAILBREAK OUR DEVICE. CLICK AGREE.

Post reply on HN