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Ask HN: Why not remove all ads/IAPs in all apps via one subscription service?
Any app developer could choose to be part of this service and they would be paid based on how often users use their app.
Unsubscribed users would still be able to use these apps but with ads/microtransactions.
- sp332 4y agoGoogle tried this around 2016, it was called Google Contributor. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Contributor https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Contributor Amazon's mobile app store had a plan like this called Amazon Underground. https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/29/15484654/amazon-shut-down-underground-free-android-app-program https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/29/15484654/amazon-shut-down...
- dingosity 4y agoBecause the future value of startups depends on them being able to crank up the number of ads they sell. Remember, web 2.0 style startups aren't about delivering functionality to users, but delivering ads to them. They literally are just new channels for ads.
- Kukumber 4y agoBecause it's not worth it, and will favor a certain type of apps - weather app (like this one https://www.ventusky.com/ https://www.ventusky.com/), you check it maybe 2-3 times a day - news reader, you check it few hours a day why should the news reader generate more revenue than the weather app that needs licences to various weather channels only because the news app is open for longer?
- is_true 4y agoJust FYI: Most weather models are free if your use case allows you to wait a couple of hours. Some are even free without the wait.