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Tweet thread - it looks like Apple is requiring in-app purchases to sign-up for wordpress.com accounts, despite it being an open-source app for any WordPress si

Tweet thread - it looks like Apple is requiring in-app purchases to sign-up for wordpress.com accounts, despite it being an open-source app for any WordPress site: > Heads up on why @WordPressiOS updates have been absent... we were locked by App Store. To be able to ship updates and bug fixes again we had to commit to support in-app purchases for .com plans. I know why this is problematic, open to suggestions. Allow others IAP? New name? > New name: The app has always done a ton of work to support WordPresses hosted anywhere, using the XML-RPC API included in core WP since WP 2.6 was released in 2008. That's why we called it "WordPress" and not "http://WordPress.com" http://WordPress.com" or "Jetpack." > I am a big believer in the sanctity of licenses. (Open source relies on licenses and copyright.) We agreed to this license when we signed up for (and stayed in) the app store, so going to follow and abide by the rules. Not looking to skirt it, hence doing what they asked us to. Alternate stories (though none are really that great): MacRumors article that gives a (very) small background on this: https://www.macrumors.com/2020/08/21/wordpress-ios-app-apple-blocked-updates/ https://www.macrumors.com/2020/08/21/wordpress-ios-app-apple... The Verge, with slightly more context: https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/21/21396316/apple-wordpress-in-app-purchase-tax-update-store https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/21/21396316/apple-wordpress-... EDIT: Apple stated in the past that app updates would _not_ be held up over guideline disputes. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/06/apple-reveals-new-developer-technologies-to-foster-the-next-generation-of-apps/ https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/06/apple-reveals-new-dev... "Second, for apps that are already on the App Store, bug fixes will no longer be delayed over guideline violations except for those related to legal issues. Developers will instead be able to address the issue in their next submission. "

giancarlostoro 6y ago
This is really sad. On the one hand, sure Apple should be able to make a cut on their app store, on the other hand, they shouldn't be allowed to force apps to do this sort of thing. This will only drive domain prices higher on iOS in order to compensate (in the case of Automattic). If I were in a position where Apple is forcing me to pay a 30% tax, I would literally add "30% Apple Tax" to the check out screen on top of the regular fees to make consumers aware. Course I'm sure Apple wouldn't like this at all either.
- iphone_elegance 6y ago
  Isn't that against their guidelines? the closet I've seen in a 'mobile' tier of pricing that has to apply to android as well but that's only possible with some usecases
- dylan-m 6y ago
  > On the one hand, sure Apple should be able to make a cut on their app store Apple makes a cut: they charge developers a not insignificant yearly fee of 99 USD per seat, they sell iOS devices and services at great profit, they happily earn 15-30% from in-app purchases and subscriptions wherever developers choose to use those features, they earn 30% on any apps that choose to be paid, and they reserve the right to set a minimum price if free apps inconvenience them. (But free apps very much do not inconvenience them, ever, and this idea that they do and Apple of all companies is doing all this from the goodness of their hearts is a disease). The only reason Apple needs more of a cut here is because their shareholders would probably sue them if they stopped.
  - djxfade 6y ago
    The 99 USD fee is not per seat
    - wwright 6y ago
      Even if it was, that’s definitely not significant. Each engineer is probably paid more per day than that. (I’m not a fan of the flat 30% charge, but developer program fees are not a challenge for any group with a revenue stream if any kind.)
      - dylan-m 6y ago
        Yeah, I meant per developer. Wires crossed. But it certainly doesn't matter what each engineer is paid. Apple has 20 million registered developers. [Edit: And let's say a third of them pay that fee, which is admittedly probably a stretch. The finer details are not my point here other than to say here's a bunch of money that comes in no matter what] I don't care what those developers are making: that's serious income right there. If Apple think they are entitled to more, that's their problem, but don't act like they're making any kind of sacrifice here, and for fuck's sake people need to stop trying to convince themselves that Apple are their friends.
deleted 6y ago
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fpordeig 6y ago
Idea: run ads telling ios users that buying in-app is much more expensive than buying in the website. Tell users that apple is scamming them with in app purchases. If this becomes vox populi, it will be a pr nightmare for apple. We would need some kind of consumer's association or foundation to run it in order to protect funders identities.

giancarlostoro 6y ago

This is really sad. On the one hand, sure Apple should be able to make a cut on their app store, on the other hand, they shouldn't be allowed to force apps to do this sort of thing. This will only drive domain prices higher on iOS in order to compensate (in the case of Automattic). If I were in a position where Apple is forcing me to pay a 30% tax, I would literally add "30% Apple Tax" to the check out screen on top of the regular fees to make consumers aware. Course I'm sure Apple wouldn't like this at all either.

iphone_elegance 6y ago
Isn't that against their guidelines? the closet I've seen in a 'mobile' tier of pricing that has to apply to android as well but that's only possible with some usecases
dylan-m 6y ago
> On the one hand, sure Apple should be able to make a cut on their app store Apple makes a cut: they charge developers a not insignificant yearly fee of 99 USD per seat, they sell iOS devices and services at great profit, they happily earn 15-30% from in-app purchases and subscriptions wherever developers choose to use those features, they earn 30% on any apps that choose to be paid, and they reserve the right to set a minimum price if free apps inconvenience them. (But free apps very much do not inconvenience them, ever, and this idea that they do and Apple of all companies is doing all this from the goodness of their hearts is a disease). The only reason Apple needs more of a cut here is because their shareholders would probably sue them if they stopped.
- djxfade 6y ago
  The 99 USD fee is not per seat
  - wwright 6y ago
    Even if it was, that’s definitely not significant. Each engineer is probably paid more per day than that. (I’m not a fan of the flat 30% charge, but developer program fees are not a challenge for any group with a revenue stream if any kind.)
    - dylan-m 6y ago
      Yeah, I meant per developer. Wires crossed. But it certainly doesn't matter what each engineer is paid. Apple has 20 million registered developers. [Edit: And let's say a third of them pay that fee, which is admittedly probably a stretch. The finer details are not my point here other than to say here's a bunch of money that comes in no matter what] I don't care what those developers are making: that's serious income right there. If Apple think they are entitled to more, that's their problem, but don't act like they're making any kind of sacrifice here, and for fuck's sake people need to stop trying to convince themselves that Apple are their friends.

deleted 6y ago

[deleted]

fpordeig 6y ago

Idea: run ads telling ios users that buying in-app is much more expensive than buying in the website. Tell users that apple is scamming them with in app purchases. If this becomes vox populi, it will be a pr nightmare for apple. We would need some kind of consumer's association or foundation to run it in order to protect funders identities.