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The problem here is that you have to pay the fee, even if you think it isn't reasonable. I have no idea if 30% is a reasonable fee to charge or not, and because
by 43920 8y ago
The problem here is that you have to pay the fee, even if you think it isn't reasonable. I have no idea if 30% is a reasonable fee to charge or not, and because no one is allowed to compete with Apple, there's no way to find out. If you were allowed to install apps from alternate sources, app developers could offer discounts if you pay them directly or install the app from another store, and Apple would have to adjust its fees to match what the services it offers are actually worth.
- pmorici 8y agoThere are really two questions. One is what is a reasonable profit margin for a software distributor. Before there was a app store there was boxed software in brick and mortar stores so there is a reference there. The other issue is that Apple imposes a monopoly on software distribution in their devices. Because of the monopoly no one can really be sure what a fair cut is in the app age because there is no competition.
- 1123581321 8y agoOne problem with that is that Apple’s restrictions allow them to eliminate piracy, and perform an approval process that keeps high the perception of iOS app quality. These two things make the iOS app market much more attractive to developers. Allowing Android-style competition would lower the value. It might be that it lowers it by less than the difference between 30% and a “fair” cut, but it’s hard to tell and users and developers wouldn’t be well-served by performing an uncontrolled experiment to test the theory.
- millstone 8y agoIt also gives Apple a big lever to ensure the platform stays agile. For example, Apple was able to make 64 bit happen first because they knew what software could be installed (so they knew what the compatibility risk was), and because they controlled distribution. If there were another major app store with significant market share, Apple would find it more difficult to evolve the platform.
- taormina 8y agoDon't forget the annual fee!
- vinni2 8y agoWhy not treat it like sales tax and charge the customers 30% more.
- dvfjsdhgfv 8y agoYeah, I also perceive it the same way: it's the users who pay Apple tax, even if the fee is deducted from the payments to developers.