Spotify Moves To Bypass Apple Payments After Landmark Ruling (theverge.com) 19
Spotify has submitted an iOS app update that would allow US customers to use payment options beyond Apple's system, the company said Thursday. The move follows Wednesday's Epic Games v. Apple ruling, which prohibits Apple from taking a cut of non-Apple payment systems and from controlling how developers inform users about alternative payment methods.
If approved, the update would enable US users to view subscription pricing details and promotions directly in-app, purchase subscriptions via external links, seamlessly switch between Premium plans, and access payment options beyond Apple's system. Spotify suggested the update could eventually facilitate additional purchasing opportunities, including audiobooks. "While other governments around the world have taken steps against Apple's harmful practices, this is, by far, the most consequential action to date," Spotify said, calling it "absurd" that these "basic services" weren't permitted despite being ordered by a judge four years ago. Patreon has similarly announced plans to submit an iOS app update allowing creators to accept non-Apple payments.
If approved, the update would enable US users to view subscription pricing details and promotions directly in-app, purchase subscriptions via external links, seamlessly switch between Premium plans, and access payment options beyond Apple's system. Spotify suggested the update could eventually facilitate additional purchasing opportunities, including audiobooks. "While other governments around the world have taken steps against Apple's harmful practices, this is, by far, the most consequential action to date," Spotify said, calling it "absurd" that these "basic services" weren't permitted despite being ordered by a judge four years ago. Patreon has similarly announced plans to submit an iOS app update allowing creators to accept non-Apple payments.
Say Goodbye to "Freemium" Apps... (Score:5, Interesting)
...That do not use Apple as a Payment Processor.
Otherwise, those App Publishers are simply Squatters.
Re:Say Goodbye to "Freemium" Apps... (Score:4, Insightful)
Otherwise, those App Publishers are simply Squatters.
Yeah. Apple sends these developers free Mac Pro stations yearly, and pays each one of them at least $100 per year so they would develop for Apple.
And Apple also give away phones to consumers, for free!
Those damned squatter developers. Apple is doing everything for them, and the ungrateful bastards don't want to shell out a mere 30% of their gross income!
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Otherwise, those App Publishers are simply Squatters.
Yeah. Apple sends these developers free Mac Pro stations yearly, and pays each one of them at least $100 per year so they would develop for Apple.
And Apple also give away phones to consumers, for free!
Those damned squatter developers. Apple is doing everything for them, and the ungrateful bastards don't want to shell out a mere 30% of their gross income!
I don't care what they paid for tools to do their job, or if they buy a Mac Pro every month, must be nice. You can buy a folding chair and card table inside the mall, but you still have to pay rent to set up a shop there.
You're entitled to do whatever you want on your phone and we can argue whatever you think that means hardware/software designers should be compelled to do to enable your phone to live its best life. That's one thing.
But nobody is entitled to a market. For example, if I sell you ad space, yo
Re: Say Goodbye to "Freemium" Apps... (Score:1)
You might want to tell Tim that the judge wasn't impressed with your fair game policy.
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You say this like it's a bad thing...
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I don't get it. What's to keep "freemium" apps from switching to Shopify or PayPal?
Profit (Score:5, Funny)
So Spotify will be cheaper now, right? Right?!
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
I got an email literally this week announcing a 15% price rise.
Re: Profit (Score:1, Flamebait)
Why? Prices aren't set based on costs, they're set based on value. Does Spotify somehow become less valuable with this change?
Re: Profit (Score:4)
Prices aren't set based on costs, they're set based on value. Does Spotify somehow become less valuable with this change?
The question you should be asking is "what has changed in Spotify's services that makes it now worth 15% more than it was the previous week?"
Re: Profit (Score:2)
Well, you tell me if you're cancelling and I'll give you a response to that.
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Nor will they be increasing payouts to artists. ...but it's not like they were trying very hard to pay artists anyway.
Re:Profit (Score:4, Insightful)
So Spotify will be cheaper now, right? Right?!
As a GenXer, I chuckle at people complaining about the cost of Spotify.
Back in 1985 you'd pay the 2025-equivalent of $27 - $30 for *one* album, only to discover it had one good song. Two if you were lucky. $400+ dollars per year to buy fifteen albums.
Or you'd wait hours to record a song off the radio, cursing as a DJ from "The Morning Zoo" talked all over it.
Contrast that with my kids with Spotify who basically have access to practically every song & album ever released over the past century, both streaming at offline for less than we paid for one album.
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They added the apple tax to the price when you bought a subscription in the app. Now they can have the same price as outside of the app.
Or in short: yes.
Apple is going to have a VERY bad quarter. (Score:1)
Microsoft / Nintendo / Sony (Score:1)
Consumers better buckle up as "credits" will be required to be purchased and won't transfer in logical ways.
https://www.epicgames.com/help... [epicgames.com]