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I'm not sure I believe the reasoning that the author describes - they're an email app on top of their email service. That's all that was blocked; but, I wonder

I'm not sure I believe the reasoning that the author describes - they're an email app on top of their email service. That's all that was blocked; but, I wonder if the problem here was marketing. Assuming Hey followed standard email service protocol, users of Hey could absolutely use the Apple Mail app to connect to their email servers, so it shouldn't be about that, unless they marketed too hard, or something. I probably can't use any POP server in the GMail app, for example. I suspect they marketed too hard and too loudly about how they're totally not email "and here, you can buy in" and that tipped someone in the review process off and then a review that doesn't hold up to greater scrutiny was made. The greater problem is probably the refusal to re-review it. All the decrying about "going against one of Apple's businesses" seems like punching at the air. Apple probably doesn't care whether people have an iCloud email address or not.

nicwolff 6y ago
> Assuming Hey followed standard email service protocol They didn't. https://hey.com/faqs/#can-i-check-my-hey-email-with-my-existing-email-app https://hey.com/faqs/#can-i-check-my-hey-email-with-my-exist...
- t-writescode 6y ago
  Oh. That makes Apple's stance more clear, then. Do they reference paying for anything anywhere in the app? They might want to take a play out of Kindle's book here. edit: if they haven't already.
  - benhurmarcel 6y ago
    > Do they reference paying for anything anywhere in the app? No. That's the point.
  - mediaman 6y ago
    No, please refer to all the ink spilled on this already. They were very careful to avoid references to paying anything in the app anywhere, or linking to anywhere where payment could be made. This was always the rule previously. It's not just HEY: other developers are now reporting that Apple's grip is tightening and starting to enforce this change. You can no longer provide access to any service without submitting to Apple's tax, unless (1) you are a "reader" app or (2) you only sell to businesses (i.e., the user cannot pay for the app).
- Wowfunhappy 6y ago
  I have to say—while I consider Apple's practices terribly anti-competitive and user-hostile, and I want to applaud anyone who makes a stink about them... I feel quite uncomfortable about this being the poster child.

nicwolff 6y ago

> Assuming Hey followed standard email service protocol They didn't. https://hey.com/faqs/#can-i-check-my-hey-email-with-my-existing-email-app https://hey.com/faqs/#can-i-check-my-hey-email-with-my-exist...

t-writescode 6y ago
Oh. That makes Apple's stance more clear, then. Do they reference paying for anything anywhere in the app? They might want to take a play out of Kindle's book here. edit: if they haven't already.
- benhurmarcel 6y ago
  > Do they reference paying for anything anywhere in the app? No. That's the point.
- mediaman 6y ago
  No, please refer to all the ink spilled on this already. They were very careful to avoid references to paying anything in the app anywhere, or linking to anywhere where payment could be made. This was always the rule previously. It's not just HEY: other developers are now reporting that Apple's grip is tightening and starting to enforce this change. You can no longer provide access to any service without submitting to Apple's tax, unless (1) you are a "reader" app or (2) you only sell to businesses (i.e., the user cannot pay for the app).
Wowfunhappy 6y ago
I have to say—while I consider Apple's practices terribly anti-competitive and user-hostile, and I want to applaud anyone who makes a stink about them... I feel quite uncomfortable about this being the poster child.