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You do a grave disservice in misrepresenting the complaint. Hey.com’s service doesn’t need in-app signup at all, but Apple’s policy obliges developers to not m

You do a grave disservice in misrepresenting the complaint. Hey.com’s service doesn’t need in-app signup at all, but Apple’s policy obliges developers to not merely offer it, but to never offer, link, or even mention, any alternative. This position is super hostile to both consumer choice (to such an extent that it’s practically a malicious use of market power to deceive consumers), and to any SaaS developer for which the mobile app is merely one of several convenient clients. The sheer size of the cut demanded is merely the follow-up kick in the balls. The common quip “don’t like it? develop your own smartphone and app distribution platform then” is merely reinforcing just how much market power, and consequent distortion, Apple possess.

pmontra 6y ago
I don't own a iPhone or and iPad so I can't check this myself. Do all banking apps have in app signup on iOS? I'm sure banks can signup customers on the web and in person. They also get paid directly, completely bypassing Apple. Video streaming services are similar. There are probably examples like that from many other industries. So my feeling is that Apple enforces the rules only when they don't damage Apple. Imagine how many sales Apple would lose if they didn't let banking apps run on their phones.
- inopinatus 6y ago
  There’s no doubt at this point that exceptions are created, or rules selectively enforced, at Apple’s commercial convenience. This benefits other large or significant developers, further increasing the relative barriers to market entry for those that can’t twist Apple arms. This all falls into the same category of distorting a marketplace, to consumer detriment.
oezi 6y ago
I don't challenge at all that there is a valid complaint to be had with Apple, but a.) it is also not that easy as you indicate and b.) I stand by the assertion that @dhh picked that fight over the money nothing else. First, why should Apple not ask that you can purchase a SaaS subscription also through the store? If they didn't take any money or just 2% credit card fees that would be awesome, right? It would be great not having to disclose creditcard details on the app developers homepage. Why should SaaS be exempt? What is the difference between a mobile game with a multi-user server and Hey.com? Why should one pay 30% and the other not? The reality is that all custom rules and minutiae that Apple put up do exactely match their relative market power: Business apps, Spotify, Netflix, Gmail are all areas where they would risk loosing a lot of customers. Last, what is the alternative? Declaring the app store a public utility or restrict the fee that Apple can take? Is there any historic precedent for this?

pmontra 6y ago

I don't own a iPhone or and iPad so I can't check this myself. Do all banking apps have in app signup on iOS? I'm sure banks can signup customers on the web and in person. They also get paid directly, completely bypassing Apple. Video streaming services are similar. There are probably examples like that from many other industries. So my feeling is that Apple enforces the rules only when they don't damage Apple. Imagine how many sales Apple would lose if they didn't let banking apps run on their phones.

inopinatus 6y ago
There’s no doubt at this point that exceptions are created, or rules selectively enforced, at Apple’s commercial convenience. This benefits other large or significant developers, further increasing the relative barriers to market entry for those that can’t twist Apple arms. This all falls into the same category of distorting a marketplace, to consumer detriment.

oezi 6y ago

I don't challenge at all that there is a valid complaint to be had with Apple, but a.) it is also not that easy as you indicate and b.) I stand by the assertion that @dhh picked that fight over the money nothing else. First, why should Apple not ask that you can purchase a SaaS subscription also through the store? If they didn't take any money or just 2% credit card fees that would be awesome, right? It would be great not having to disclose creditcard details on the app developers homepage. Why should SaaS be exempt? What is the difference between a mobile game with a multi-user server and Hey.com? Why should one pay 30% and the other not? The reality is that all custom rules and minutiae that Apple put up do exactely match their relative market power: Business apps, Spotify, Netflix, Gmail are all areas where they would risk loosing a lot of customers. Last, what is the alternative? Declaring the app store a public utility or restrict the fee that Apple can take? Is there any historic precedent for this?