My view continues to be that developers new to the platform (emerging markets) *get* this point much more than what we can refer to as legacy developers which simply means they have been with iOS for many years.

— Neil Cybart (@neilcybart) September 1, 2021

This is a step in the right direction, but it doesn't solve the problem. App developers want clear, fair rules that apply to all apps. Our goal is to restore competition once and for all, not one arbitrary, self-serving step at a time. We will continue to push for a real solution https://t.co/vzIoBpZQr1

— Daniel Ek (@eldsjal) September 2, 2021

As they are gradually unpicked, Apple's App Store rules just look ever more ridiculous. https://t.co/nDTHrfedzI

— Martin SFP Bryant (@MartinSFP) September 2, 2021

Yeah I’m bitter our App Store commission is supposed to help pay for iOS/SDK development and App Store hosting + review. Feels like a kick in the balls to now have to subsidize all these big publishers. Doing it for the multi billion $ ad based apps was already bad enough.

— Paul Haddad (@tapbot_paul) September 2, 2021

I agree that government shouldn't pass any law for the purpose of helping any particular company, 30-year-old startup Epic Games included. The rightful purpose of competition law is to preserve competition, not to pick winners or losers.

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) September 1, 2021

"The South Korean law is a fierce repudiation of the mobile app store business model, and also offers a roadmap for regulators in the EU and the U.S. to adopt similar approaches to reining in Big Tech." Read more in today's @protocol: https://t.co/rATkIiI3CG

— Coalition for App Fairness (@appfairness) September 1, 2021

New App Store Rules!

Apps available in countries that end in the letter n will be able to hint at purchases outside the App Store, but only if their icon is mostly blue or red. Furthermore in Spanish speaking countries your call to action must include “Vosotros”.

— Paul Haddad (@tapbot_paul) September 2, 2021

Again with the “let’s add more complicated rules in an effort to stave off antitrust” approach, rather than just ripping off the payment system band-aid: https://t.co/hOwcXYtqUe

— James Thomson (@jamesthomson) September 2, 2021

Adding explainer text will cost you 1% of revenue per character. No emoji or extended Unicode allowed.

— Kosta Eleftheriou (@keleftheriou) September 2, 2021

*APPLE TO LET APP MAKERS POINT USERS TO WEB TO PAY FOR SERVICES - This would seem to challenge the recurring services argument that substantially fueled the multiple growth pace.

*Looks like a preemptive move - getting out in front of possible DOJ action @davidametzner ?

— Lawrence McDonald (@Convertbond) September 2, 2021

Sure, your “reader” app can include one (1) approved link to your website…but will you be allowed to have any text near that link explaining why someone might want to tap on it, or is that still forbidden? This is where we are, mentally, when considering App Store rules in 2021.

— John Siracusa (@siracusa) September 2, 2021

Apple Inc. will allow developers of some apps to link from their software to external websites for payments by users. https://t.co/FNwSMxwQiW

— BloombergQuint (@BloombergQuint) September 2, 2021

I guess it should be noted that developers & apps don’t self-identify as ‘Reader apps’. Apple decides what is and isn’t a Reader app. And then it will quietly use that as a means to influence how your app works via App Review rejections and opaque addenda to the rules

— Steve Troughton-Smith (@stroughtonsmith) September 2, 2021

Here we go again. Careful. Read the details in the press release. One link is for reader apps only. Apple is not giving up on anti-steering for in-app purchases: https://t.co/CtlN611Zic pic.twitter.com/VNJuDGSmx6

— tae kim (@firstadopter) September 2, 2021

Also, remember: the text of the policy is only part of the policy. How it is *interpreted* and *enforced* matters just as much.

We were here just over a year ago:https://t.co/gVJn366T7n pic.twitter.com/Lw3xon48kr

— Dieter Bohn (@backlon) September 2, 2021

.@Apple's latest announcement seems to be another attempt to protect their App Store monopoly by dividing developers into winners and losers. Apple must end its anti-competitive practices and provide a fair digital marketplace for all. https://t.co/98zrNkPpSj

— Coalition for App Fairness (@appfairness) September 2, 2021

Feels easy to argue either way. Part, is that every regulatory body wants its pound of flesh, so you have to go through this. MSFT settled bits & pieces in many jurisdictions.

OTOH, regulating a successful company has risk so if the company shows effort it can slow momentum. pic.twitter.com/i7Elmfm7sg

— Steven Sinofsky (@stevesi) September 2, 2021

In Apple's carefully-worded statement on safety, it's hard to discern the rationale that this is safe while Fortnite accepting direct payments remains unsafe.
Even more so if Apple deems Roblox, a game from 2006-2021 that became "an experience" mid-trial, a reader app.

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) September 2, 2021

There are just as many questions as answers:

- Does Apple still get to define “reader” app by fiat?
- Can apps explicitly mention payment or price or is that muzzled?
- One link - where does it go? Are there rules?https://t.co/KuKgj9dXuW

— Dieter Bohn (@backlon) September 2, 2021

To get the Japan FTC off its back, Apple is letting app makers link out to alternative payment methods that avoid its usual 30% cut. But, biggest caveat ever, that doesn't apply to games or in-app purchases, which are the vast majority of App Store sales.https://t.co/Piy3eadXOw https://t.co/JbduJuLf7N

— Vlad Savov (@vladsavov) September 2, 2021

All kidding aside this is great news, awesome to see the small developers come out ahead for once! Congratulations to <checks notes> Amazon, Netflix, HBO, Disney, Google, Hulu, Pandora, Spotify and dozens of others!

— Paul Haddad (@tapbot_paul) September 2, 2021

My guess is that the CLOSEST we'll get to it is that it can say "Create your account" or "manage your account" or something. I very much doubt the rules will let you mention pricing, buying content (ebooks, movies, etc), or anything else you can do there.

— Jason Cross (@JasonCross00) September 2, 2021

Apple’s selective tweaks to its App Store rules are welcome, but they don’t go far enough. #TimetoPlayFair pic.twitter.com/z3FasGsXNX

— Horacio Gutierrez (@horaciog) September 2, 2021

Apple’s press release does make the bold assumption that no further changes to its steering practices are going to be mandated over the remaining months of the year ? Restricting it to ‘Reader’ apps, and a single in-app link, is just not enough

— Steve Troughton-Smith (@stroughtonsmith) September 2, 2021

Now this seems like a real policy change and Netflix/Kindle app would be allowed to put a link in the app to signup/upgrade their account on their website https://t.co/zQ1J3V8OMF

— Tatsuhiko Miyagawa (@miyagawa) September 2, 2021

“Please note if your app brings up the keyboard at any point, it becomes a writer app. Writer apps are now subject to an extra 5% App Store surcharge for regular keyboards and 7.5% for the Emoji keyboard.”

— Paul Haddad (@tapbot_paul) September 2, 2021

Apple should open up iOS on the basis of hardware, stores, payments, and services each competing individually on their merits.

Instead, they're running a literally day-by-day recalculation of divide-and-conquer in hopes of getting away with most of their tying practices. https://t.co/2L9n7EvSo0

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) September 2, 2021

At the same time, Japan's announcement makes it pretty clear developers will be able to offer alternative forms of payment outside the App Store https://t.co/a0mhDM74pX

— Steve Kovach (@stevekovach) September 2, 2021

What's the difference between a reader app and a game? In the end, it's whatever Apple decides it is. (Ok, there are rules, but Apple can and does change them.) https://t.co/FQf0TiMsYl

— Stephen Nellis (@StephenNellis) September 2, 2021

The more I read about this the more likely it seems Apple and Gogole might simply shift platform charges away from per-transaction cut to some other type of fee.

In fact, nothing stopping them from including a 30% cut into the Apple Developer Program license.

— Nick Statt (@nickstatt) September 1, 2021

Anyone else think the App Store gravy train (as its critics say) may be applying the brakes before it's derailed? Will be v interesting to see the Epic/Apple verdict, when it comes https://t.co/ERot4bC9WC

— Zoe Kleinman (@zsk) September 2, 2021

Policymakers should intervene to preserve competition because Apple and Google have used their market power in the hardware and OS market to block competition in the separate markets for app stores and payments.

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) September 1, 2021

In any case, the so-called anti-steering rule that didn’t allow apps to acknowledge the existence of anything outside the app store for account sign up is one of the most outlandish and happy to see even what seems to be a softening of it.

— Dieter Bohn (@backlon) September 2, 2021

Wow look at the Japan Fair Trade Commission out here getting results https://t.co/6Iky7BsaO5 via @technology

— Gearoid Reidy (@GearoidReidy) September 2, 2021

"Finally"

Apple drops anti-steering provision for "reader" apps.https://t.co/jSWhk9zei1

— Ben Thompson (@benthompson) September 2, 2021

- How many “reader” apps are there in the App Store?
- Is there a list?
- Can developers challenge their designated category?
- Why is this rule limited to “reader” apps?
- Why does the “reader app” distinction exist?

— Dieter Bohn (@backlon) September 2, 2021

Is India the next domino to fall for Apple regarding in-app payments? https://t.co/RiwBBa4KPb

— Eric Seufert (@eric_seufert) September 2, 2021

Reuters Story: Apple is facing a new antitrust case in India for allegedly forcing developers to use its in-app payment system. The case, filed by a non-profit, also alleges Apple’s practices have hurt India payment processors & deters market entry of apps https://t.co/OxW2pQLGG8

— Aditya Kalra (@adityakalra) September 2, 2021

I don't know friends, these "reader" apps seem pretty suspicious to me. Linking to "the web"? For "account management"? On a "website"? pretty scary stuff https://t.co/E2HwNyypid

— Federico Viticci (@viticci) September 2, 2021

When it rains, it pours.
"Apple hit with antitrust case in India over in-app payments issues"https://t.co/C55aqLOeF7 pic.twitter.com/2o6eUCoJWW

— Subrahmanyam KVJ (@SuB8u) September 2, 2021

It took the full weight of a national antitrust investigation to make Apple budge by ‘a single link’ for a /subset/ of App Store apps, a policy change that would require no development or code changes on Apple’s part. We’ve got a loooong road ahead of us pic.twitter.com/JEfSHTXO0m

— Steve Troughton-Smith (@stroughtonsmith) September 2, 2021

I could have sworn that during a long-since-past furore Apple introduced the term ‘Reader apps’ out of nowhere as an excuse to give certain apps special exceptions to certain rules

— Steve Troughton-Smith (@stroughtonsmith) September 2, 2021

This is what you get when trying to sign up for Netflix on the iPhone today. In early 2022, it’ll be a button that points you to Netflix’s website to sign up and pay there. This is a major, structural change that will save Apple a lot of scrutiny. pic.twitter.com/8iWDUTceZK

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) September 2, 2021

This bit isn't really true, now, is it? Amazon video offers digital goods for sale, like individual movies for purchase or rent, that can be experienced in-app.

Puzzle: Is there some way to parenthesize this statement so it's true? pic.twitter.com/1GglbiwpRa

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) September 2, 2021

I have similarly debated the downside and the pros dramatically outweigh the cons.

There is also a strong strategic angle that forces others to drop their rate as well.

— Ben Bajarin (@BenBajarin) September 2, 2021

Remember when we could browse the Kindle store in the app (and not in the half-assed “trial way” like now)? Now maybe we can at least get a link to the damn kindle store. Though I bet it’ll only work for the “manage my account” section of the Amazon website.

— Christina Warren (@film_girl) September 2, 2021

Tim Cook says Apple will still take its commission despite a different payment method being used. I don’t know how they are going to accomplish that but …

— BruceBurke (@BruceQBurke) September 1, 2021

As everyone reads & writes about the Apple @AppStore news, most credit Epic Games who are not even impacted by the change@Spotify and specifically, @eldsjal deserve a tremendous amount of credit for launching a war with Apple back in March 2019 $SPOThttps://t.co/x8akc8eID4

— Rich Greenfield, LightShed (@RichLightShed) September 2, 2021

Apple's special deal for "reader apps" like Amazon video, Netflix, and Kindle just got more special! Starting in 2022, they can link directly to the web to signup and "manage" accounts (presumably meaning: buying stuff with non-Apple payment methods).https://t.co/g3nAQNII0m

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) September 2, 2021

I'm told companies like Spotify still aren't 100% sure if the new App Store rules will let them offer alternative payments by linking from the app to the website. They're waiting for Apple to update its policies. Press release last night was vague.https://t.co/gjTpVkFlLU

— Steve Kovach (@stevekovach) September 2, 2021

Details of the new antitrust case -- "Together We Fight Society" vs Apple Inc. "The existence of the 30% commission means that some app developers will never make it to the market ... This could also result in consumer harm". Apple did not respond. https://t.co/i66lGAhfSX

— Aditya Kalra (@adityakalra) September 2, 2021

【アップルに対する審査終了(違反の疑い解消)】
アップル(米国法人)がアプリ提供事業者の事業活動を制限している疑いについて,同社から関連するガイドラインの改定等(アウトリンク許容)の改善措置の申出があったことから審査を終了しました。https://t.co/emZAAdnWW9
英語版→https://t.co/iaqF1uT7cG pic.twitter.com/WfftQmVU5K

— 公正取引委員会 (@jftc) September 2, 2021