Violating App Store policy. Two Faces Apple?
Is Apple consistent in its policy on violating the guidelines for In App Purchase all over the world?
Two examples: In November Apple pulled Match.com because it was violating Apple's policy in which it states:
"Apps can read or play approved content that is subscribed to or purchased outside of the app, as long as there is no button or external link in the app to purchase the approved content,"
But that same month it allowed the MagWorld app ( kind off Zinio) in the Netherlands in its store, with a shopping cart in it's menu which is a direct link to her webshop to sell on line magazines. No IAP to be seen.
So is Apple only after the Big Fish because of the publicity it's generating? Allowing MagWorld but not Zinio or Kindle? Does it apply other rules abroad?
What do you think? And do you know more examples?
Two examples: In November Apple pulled Match.com because it was violating Apple's policy in which it states:
"Apps can read or play approved content that is subscribed to or purchased outside of the app, as long as there is no button or external link in the app to purchase the approved content,"
But that same month it allowed the MagWorld app ( kind off Zinio) in the Netherlands in its store, with a shopping cart in it's menu which is a direct link to her webshop to sell on line magazines. No IAP to be seen.
So is Apple only after the Big Fish because of the publicity it's generating? Allowing MagWorld but not Zinio or Kindle? Does it apply other rules abroad?
What do you think? And do you know more examples?
Comments
Is Apple consistent in its policy on violating the guidelines for In App Purchase all over the world?
They seem to have blocked OnLive Player, which usually has internal purchasing and only passed the Viewer version. The Player app has been available on Android for a couple of months.
I thought their rule was that you could do external purchases as long as you also offered in-app purchases as an alternative. They keep updating the rules as and when they see fit though so it's hard to keep up.
You can buy things from eBay apps and not pay 30% to Apple so I'm not sure how that works.
It definitely doesn't seem to be consistent although I can see why many cases would be blocked. Apple is running a shop like any other. If Match.com gives away a free app and charges you elsewhere for the subscription, they are making money and getting visibility from the store but Apple gains nothing.
On the flip side, an app like OnLive allows you to play full quality games to the point that it could replace a console and the lack of such an app might sway your decision between an Android tablet and an iPad, which loses them a hardware sale. It's not likely that a single app would sway a decision but if Apple builds up a reputation of blocking useful apps, which it is doing, that has much more weight to it in the decision to buy into a certain platform.