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I think the reasoning behind IAPs is not that IAP is provided as a convenience service to developers, but that IAPs represent value to the iOS users. If you're
by fossuser 6y ago
I think the reasoning behind IAPs is not that IAP is provided as a convenience service to developers, but that IAPs represent value to the iOS users.
If you're using iOS and searching through the app store and then download an app, being able to sign up and pay via the app is useful to you. If you download an app and it doesn't do anything, and you can't sign up or pay via the app then that's a bad experience.
The problem with this argument is it's a lot weaker when Apple also forces you to pay a massive tax when enabling this. I think the argument would be a lot stronger if they forced IAP compatibility, but didn't take a cut and just charged a reasonable up front fee to list on the app store.
I'd argue even an up front fee is unnecessary though. I'm happy with Apple curating the app store to prevent spam and low quality applications, I'm happy with them forcing standards like IAP, but I'm not happy with them controlling the store and then rent seeking.
Apple should make money from making and selling incredible products. That's why people love them.
- OkGoDoIt 6y agoThey do charge an upfront fee, it’s $100 per year for a developer to be allowed to publish an app, regardless of if the app is free or paid or uses IAP.
- fossuser 6y agoI think that's reasonable. The profit sharing is not.
- scarface74 6y ago$100 a year is nothing considering just the time it takes to review an app.
- anoncake 6y agoApple is the one that insists on reviewing each app so it's the one that should pay for it.
- scarface74 6y agoRight because the alternative has worked real well - letting any random app on the store. I specifically don’t download any random crap on my computer but I do on my iOS devices. You can’t even trust known companies like DropBox and Zoom. They have both done shady things on the Mac. I’m sure you also think that physical good stores should bare all of the cost and allow companies to sell things for free without a markup...
- anoncake 6y agoSurrendering freedom and giving power to unelected people, be they monarchs, dictators or CEOs, has never worked well. > I?m sure you also think that physical good stores should bare all of the cost and allow companies to sell things for free without a markup... I'm sure you know that's a strawman.
- scarface74 6y agoWell we can talk theory or we can hobby history. How well has the open ecosystem on computers worked for the average consumer? Viruses, malware, ransomware, adware dozens of toolbars on their browser, programs randomly uploading their contacts, etc. I know plenty of people who won’t download random apps on their computer but will on their mobile devices. Because they have had bad experiences before.
- anoncake 6y agoNobody wants to force people to download apps from untrustworthy sources or to ban app stores.