Developers Union urges Apple to allow free app trials, make it easier to earn a living
On Friday a fledgling group calling itself the Developers Union published an open letter to Apple, calling on the company to both expand free app trials and provide developers a livable revenue cut from the App Store.
The group is being led by four people: Jake Schumacher, the director of "App: The Human Story," developers Roger Odgen and Loren Morris, and most notably Brent Simmons, responsible for popular apps like NetNewsWire and MarsEdit. Though the Union doesn't yet have a strategy for voting, collective bargaining, or any dues, it's hoping to recruit 1,000 people this week and reach 20,000 by early June, when Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off.
Apple already permits free app trials, but only for subscription services like HBO Now. Enabling trials for all apps could help entice shoppers without making them pay for an unknown quantity.
"Apple owns the App Store. Apple shapes its economics," Simmons told AppleInsider. "Those economics could give indies a better chance at making great apps that last -- and free trials would be a big step forward. Not the only step, but an important one."
On the revenue front, the Union said it wants to "advocate for a more reasonable revenue cut." Apple currently takes a 30 percent cut from most App Store transactions, the exception being subscriptions, in which case the cut can drop to 15 percent if a customer stays active long enough.
App Store economics are said to primarily favor games with repeatable in-app purchases. Apps with a one-time fee can fall by the wayside, especially since their creators may not have a dedicated team.
Apple will likely be resistant to any calls to share more App Store revenue, since that would eat into the company's skyrocketing services segment. At the same it could face pressure triggered by changes at the Microsoft Store, where later this year, 85 percent of non-gaming revenue will go to developers. For titles discovered through a third-party app or webpage, developers will get to keep 95 percent.
The group is being led by four people: Jake Schumacher, the director of "App: The Human Story," developers Roger Odgen and Loren Morris, and most notably Brent Simmons, responsible for popular apps like NetNewsWire and MarsEdit. Though the Union doesn't yet have a strategy for voting, collective bargaining, or any dues, it's hoping to recruit 1,000 people this week and reach 20,000 by early June, when Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off.
Apple already permits free app trials, but only for subscription services like HBO Now. Enabling trials for all apps could help entice shoppers without making them pay for an unknown quantity.
"Apple owns the App Store. Apple shapes its economics," Simmons told AppleInsider. "Those economics could give indies a better chance at making great apps that last -- and free trials would be a big step forward. Not the only step, but an important one."
On the revenue front, the Union said it wants to "advocate for a more reasonable revenue cut." Apple currently takes a 30 percent cut from most App Store transactions, the exception being subscriptions, in which case the cut can drop to 15 percent if a customer stays active long enough.
App Store economics are said to primarily favor games with repeatable in-app purchases. Apps with a one-time fee can fall by the wayside, especially since their creators may not have a dedicated team.
Apple will likely be resistant to any calls to share more App Store revenue, since that would eat into the company's skyrocketing services segment. At the same it could face pressure triggered by changes at the Microsoft Store, where later this year, 85 percent of non-gaming revenue will go to developers. For titles discovered through a third-party app or webpage, developers will get to keep 95 percent.
Comments
https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsofts-windows-10-sweetener-new-deal-gives-devs-bigger-cut-of-app-store-sales/
I don’t see Apple changing their 30% cut or upping their free cloud storage from 5GB as these are the things driving “services” revenue increases. I think some of these game IAP are awful and not anything to brag about but so long as it increases Apple’s “services” revenues the company will continue to push them.
The mac Mac App Store might be good for discoverability if featured.
I’m curious, what do eBay and Amazon charge to sell things on their website? Is it comparable to Apple’s 30%?
IMO, the issue isn't the revenue split. The issue is discoverability. While there's no real solution unless Apple selected apps (and then everyone would scream bloody murder if their apps weren't chosen), there are simply too many apps in the App Store and the whole thing becomes self-fulfilling because the apps that sell are the ones that get highlighted and then they sell more because they're highlighted.
The real problem is that too many developers are making apps that no one needs, either because the app doesn't fulfill a need or because there are already 25 other apps just like it.
That said, the 30% cut may not be ideal today as it was back in 2008 now that the platform is mature. That isn't to say that is should be lower than 30%, but that the optimal cut could be higher or lower than 30%. Whatever can strengthen the platform is likely what is best for Apple and their customers.
The bottom line is there’s a value added benefit to using any of Apple’s services but if a developer doesn’t want to they can always change platforms. If you program for Microsoft devices you can’t run them on Apple devices as is so you’re stuck with windows.
Face it... if you can't make a living on 70% of the revenue, then you're not going to make that living on anything higher. In business-speak, it means your "app" is crap.
Unbelievable the arrogance that people like these have. Last time I checked, Android doesn't have those "limitations". They're more than welcome to give Apple the finger and go elsewhere. Oh yeah.. I forgot.. no one pays for Android apps. smh.