Rhapsody responds to Apple's subscription policy

[Kev]

Is Apple striking different deals with big companies than with small companies? Is Apple pushing their software solutions over those of others?

I am missing something, I guess.

MotionMan

They are in fact allowing Netflix to be exempt from the rules.

Also, forcing this obnoxious fee on the kindle app would give their iBooks app a competitive advantage.

 

[MotionMan]

The app makers are also creating "value" for the app store by generating content for it. I would argue that there is more value being created on the side of app makers themselves.

If that was true, then Apple would be paying the developers, no?

MotionMan

 

[MotionMan]

They are in fact allowing Netflix to be exempt from the rules.

I was not aware of that. Link, please.

Also, forcing this obnoxious fee on the kindle app would give their iBooks app a competitive advantage.

True. I wonder how they will handle that.

MotionMan

 

[Kev]

But the venders can bypass the iOS App altogether, go web only (so they will still be on the iDevices) and keep 100% of the fees, right?

Really the fight is about whether they will be on iDevices via an app or via the web, not that they will be shut out iDevices altogether. If they do not like the terms for having an app, then develop a website for the iOS.

MotionMan

Again, it is more likely that they increase prices across the board for all their content to compensate for the apple tax. You're confusing corporate thinking with consumer thinking.

 

[Kev]

I was not aware of that. Link, please.



True. I wonder how they will handle that.

MotionMan

http://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-not-affected-by-apples-new-subscription-plan-2011-2

time to go home, probably won't be checking in on this thread till monday, have fun guys!

 

[Wonderful Pork]

Also, forcing this obnoxious fee on the kindle app would give their iBooks app a competitive advantage.

How many people have bought a Kindle book without buying the Kindle hardware? Apple deserves no compensation for catering to this market? None? Even Google is asking 10% for this I believe. (I haven't read up on the OnePass or OnePay or whatever)

(again, 30% is not my argument! Compensation is, and Apple set it at 30%. Everybody is being binary about this, either they get paid or they dont...so I'm arguing for paid.)

EDIT:
Also, due to some strange nuances of big corporations, Apple may charge themselves the 30% as well. I work for a large company, and sometimes due to what department provides the service, its actually cheaper to go out to a vendor even though its our own company doing the work! It boggles my mind. Anyway, food for thought.

 

[MotionMan]

Again, it is more likely that they increase prices across the board for all their content to compensate for the apple tax. You're confusing corporate thinking with consumer thinking.

So that is bad for consumers. Is it bad for the vendors? More importantly, is it something for the vendors to be complaining about?

MotionMan

 

[MotionMan]

http://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-not-affected-by-apples-new-subscription-plan-2011-2

"...we are hearing from a source."

Proof is in the pudding.

MotionMan

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Also, forcing this obnoxious fee on the kindle app would give their iBooks app a competitive advantage.

I think it was said earlier in the thread, but I think Apple will use the 30% on most developers, but for the special cases they will negotiate for lower or even no cut. Amazon I would assume would be one of these special cases. I mean Netflix got preferential treatment, why wouldn't Amazon?

 

[cheezy321]

The app makers are also creating "value" for the app store by generating content for it. I would argue that there is more value being created on the side of app makers themselves.

Now, if they want to charge a few bucks for the app itself and give apple a cut, that's fine because they're using itunes' payment and delivery service to deliver it. However, they would not be delivering the actual subscription content.

By making that statement, I get the sense that you believe app makers should have the upper hand when it comes to negotiation on pricing models. That will never happen.