Spotify says Apple One bundle is a 'threat to collective freedom' [u]
Spotify released a public statement after Apple's Time Flies event to protest the newly announced Apple One bundle, stating it "threatens our collective freedoms to listen, learn, create, and connect."
Apple Music vs Spotify
Apple on Tuesday announced a new services bundle with multiple tiers in order to help customers save on Apple subscription services. Moving the target from Spotify's previous statement about Apple's dominance somewhat, the company told AppleInsider and other venues that the bundle is an abuse of Apple's dominant market position.
Apple responded to Spotify's allegations in a statement to Reuters reporter Stephen Nellis.
Updated with statement from Apple
Apple Music vs Spotify
Apple on Tuesday announced a new services bundle with multiple tiers in order to help customers save on Apple subscription services. Moving the target from Spotify's previous statement about Apple's dominance somewhat, the company told AppleInsider and other venues that the bundle is an abuse of Apple's dominant market position.
The new complaint comes after months of antitrust accusations and litigation against Apple, and Spotify is one of the earliest to discuss the matter. Spotify themselves launched an anti-competitive suite against Apple in March 2019 in the EU as well.Once again, Apple is using its dominant position and unfair practices to disadvantage competitors and deprive consumers by favoring its own services. We call on competition authorities to act urgently to restrict Apple's anti-competitive behavior, which if left unchecked, will cause irreparable harm to the developer community and threaten our collective freedoms to listen, learn, create, and connect.
Apple responded to Spotify's allegations in a statement to Reuters reporter Stephen Nellis.
It is unlikely such a statement would hold up in court, as Apple offers bundles and discounts to its competitors as well. Most recently Apple launched a discount bundle of Showtime and CBS All Access for $9.99 to all Apple TV+ subscribers.Customers can discover and enjoy alternatives to every one of Apple's services. We're introducing Apple One because it is a great value for customers and a simple way to access the full range of Apple's subscription services. We'll be recommending the Apple One plan that saves you the most money based on the subsriptions you already have. It's perfect for anyone who loves any of our services and wants to get more for less, and it's especially great for families. Also select services included in Apple One are availbel to enjoy on non-Apple devices, and you can cancel anytime.
Updated with statement from Apple
Comments
Apple can't do anything good without Spotify feeling threatened.
"irreparable harm"
Oh goodness, they've had conversations with Epic.
apple offering a bundle does not prevent you from offering your services to iPhone users! They are not blocking you!
Whining about this is like HBO complaining if Spectrum offers a cable bundle without HBO included...
How about this? why not expand your services? or partner with other services and offer a competitive bundle?
But you have no grounds to whine about this!
Given the state of Spotify profits, saying they are greedy would be pushing it... Most of their costs are licensing costs to the music industry (around 75%), so they're not free to lower it either.
Using a dominant position in one market to gain market share in another is usually considered bad - in particular, I guess bundling it with iCloud storage. If they just bundled it with AppleTV+ I don't think Spotify (or customers) would care.
Definition of hyperbole
How is it different from Comcast offering Home Phone and Home Security services in their Triple Play packages?
Apple Computers -
the taker of all Freedoms.
#FreeSpotifyNow