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Apple rejects appeal from email app Hey

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Re: Apple rejects appeal from email app Hey

#31

Post by rockooooo »

outworlder wrote: post #9
ipsum2 wrote: post #4

What's infuriating is Apple's inconsistency. Some apps offer subscriptions outside of the app store and are still there (including Basecamp!)

EDIT: Having deployed a few apps in the past which required login and not being harassed, I thought something else was going on. This seems to be an unspoken policy change. I'm joining the outrage bandwagon now. > What's infuriating is Apple's inconsistency. Some apps offer subscriptions outside of the app store and are still there (including Basecamp!) That doesn't violate guidelines. Unless your app takes users out…

> Unless your app takes users outside of the app store to purchase stuff(including the subscription itself) without in app purchases

Hey doesn't do this and DHH was very explicit in the many steps they took not to step on this rule.

Re: Apple rejects appeal from email app Hey

#32

Post by obahareth »

outworlder wrote: post #18

EDIT: I'm retracting my statement. This is how things used to work. I don't see any changes to the policy. Yet, the app is still not getting approved. And it is not taking users to its own payment portal. So I got no clue WTF is going on. > In rejecting Hey's appeal, Apple notes that the developers could work within Apple's rules by allowing the app to function as a reader for standard e-mail, while also offering Hey…

Hey already picked option 1. Their app was rejected after doing that. There is no way to purchase anything on the iOS version.

Re: Apple rejects appeal from email app Hey

#33

Post by ggregoire »

neximo64 wrote: post #25
Traster wrote: post #5

I 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?

I don't know about Netflix but you can use the Spotify app for free, right? Now from what I understand, Apple says that you can't do anything with the "Hey" app until you get a subscription[1]. Which is then different from the Spotify app.

[1] "The Hey Email app is marketed as an email app on the App Store, but when users download your app, it does not work," Apple said in a letter to Basecamp CEO Jason Fried on Thursday. "Users cannot use the app to access email or perform any useful function until after they go to the Basecamp website for Hey Email and purchase a license to use the Hey Email app."

Re: Apple rejects appeal from email app Hey

#34

Post by antoncohen »

ipsum2 wrote: post #4

What's infuriating is Apple's inconsistency. Some apps offer subscriptions outside of the app store and are still there (including Basecamp!)

There might be other examples, but Basecamp doesn't fit. Most Basecamp users don't pay for Basecamp, a company does. It is like Jira, individual users don't pay for it. Basecamp also has a limited free plan, as does Jira Cloud.

Hey is currently only for individuals, there is no free option, every user must pay.

(I'm not defending Apple taking a cut of subscriptions. Just pointing out a difference.)

Re: Apple rejects appeal from email app Hey

#35

Post by outworlder »

Hamuko wrote: post #13
outworlder wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

EDIT: Having deployed a few apps in the past which required login and not being harassed, I thought something else was going on. This seems to be an unspoken policy change. I'm joining the outrage bandwagon now. > What's infuriating is Apple's inconsistency. Some apps offer subscriptions outside of the app store and are still there (including Basecamp!) That doesn't violate guidelines. Unless your app takes users out…

> Unless your app takes users outside of the app store to purchase stuff(including the subscription itself) without in app purchases. Where did Hey take users outside of the app?

'Hey' itself may not be doing this right now, I don't know. I was referring to:

> 3.1.1 In-App Purchase:

    If you want to unlock features or functionality within your app, (by way of example: subscriptions, in-game currencies, game levels, access to premium content, or unlocking a full version), you must use in-app purchase. Apps may not use their own mechanisms to unlock content or functionality, such as license keys, augmented reality markers, QR codes, etc. Apps and their metadata may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase.

Re: Apple rejects appeal from email app Hey

#37

Post by scarface74 »

Traster wrote: post #5

I 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…

It is very unclear. The rule has been that you cannot advertise that it requires a subscription or provide a link.

There are literally a dozen apps that I am personally aware of that require subscriptions and don’t allow in app subscriptions.

- Netflix

- Sling TV

- ATT Now (DirecTVNow)

- ACloudGuru

- Kindle

- Youtube TV

- Spotify

- Microsoft Office

- Hulu Live TV (not regular Hulu)

Re: Apple rejects appeal from email app Hey

#38

Post by draw_down »

Traster wrote: post #5

I 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…

I think it’s pretty shitty to characterize this as them picking a fight. They’re getting totally shut down.

To describe the App Store rules as pretty clear is just beyond. Come on.

Re: Apple rejects appeal from email app Hey

#39

Post by Avamander »

chrisseaton wrote: post #14
aurizon wrote: post #2

Apple needs to be pissed on from a height - I wonder if they have bribed the monopoly inquisition they face in the USA/Europe

They don't have a monopoly - you can buy an Android.

That's bullshit, softly put. Google and Microsoft have gotten more heat for doing less monopolistic stuff.

Re: Apple rejects appeal from email app Hey

#40

Post by bdcravens »

Traster wrote: post #5

I 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…

I have several apps on my phone that I subscribe to or utilize services with payments outside of the Apple ecosystem.

A quick list (surely more): Ring, car insurance, Amazon, Chewy, Mercari, eBay, Zoho apps, Intercom, Nest, various credit cards, Spotify, Netflix, YouTubeTV, Meetup, 1Password, Griddy, Dropbox, credit monitoring, grocery ordering, etc

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