And Applehas complied, but in just aboutthe most entitled way possible, as we shall see.
The hassle and expense might lead to seeking alternative platforms for better returns and freedom."
Epic took the battle to court.
Apple App Store.do you mockup / Mockup Photos
Until now, developers have not even been able to link to their own stores.
The courts called this “anti-steering” and told Apple to quit it.
But the process is onerous and clearly designed to make most developers stick with the App Store.
Making Online Payments.rupixen.com / Unsplash
And devs still have to offer the regular IAP anyway.
Entitlement
That’s already a pain, but here’s where it gets juicy.
And how does Apple know how much it is “owed?”
Money Grab.XiXinXing / Getty Images
Developers are also responsible for their own credit card transaction fees and must collect their own sales tax.
And people are not happy.
Even influential tech blogger and serial Apple booster John Gruber thinks it’s a bad idea.
“Not even the mob is that greedy, capricious, or meticulous in its shakedown efforts!”
saysHeinemeier Hansson on his blog.
The App Store is indeed a superior experience for most users.
For developers, it’s also easy.
Update 01/23/24- Corrected the source attribution in paragraph 3.
