Hacker News Reader

Comment by neximo64 | Hacker News Reader

Explain Spotify and Netflix?

The Hey app copies Netflix almost exactly, even in the language used for the subscription? How is that very clear for a rule?

View on HN

I don't know about Netflix but you can use the Spotify app for free, right? Now from what I understand, Apple says that you can't do anything with the "Hey" app until you get a subscription[1]. Which is then different from the Spotify app.

[1] "The Hey Email app is marketed as an email app on the App Store, but when users download your app, it does not work," Apple said in a letter to Basecamp CEO Jason Fried on Thursday. "Users cannot use the app to access email or perform any useful function until after they go to the Basecamp website for Hey Email and purchase a license to use the Hey Email app."

You can’t do anything with Netflix without paying.

Other than a short free trial. Like hey has.

But Netflix offers in app purchases.

No it doesn’t.

https://www.macrumors.com/2018/12/28/netflix-no-more-itunes-...

Edit: I usually don’t comment on downvotes but what the hell?

https://help.netflix.com/en/node/25097

iTunes billing for Netflix is not available to new or rejoining Netflix customers.

If you are attempting to create an account on an iOS mobile device, you can sign up on Netflix.com using a mobile browser and will be prompted to provide an alternate method of payment.

https://imgur.com/a/t6AqwEx

That's what the App Store shows me...

That's presumably to support users who have existing subscriptions. GP showed that they do not allow people to pay for new subscriptions.

https://help.netflix.com/en/node/25097

iTunes billing for Netflix is not available to new or rejoining Netflix customers.

If you are attempting to create an account on an iOS mobile device, you can sign up on Netflix.com using a mobile browser and will be prompted to provide an alternate method of payment.

You can't even make an account for Netflix inside the application.

Section 3.1.3a[1] of the App store review guidelines. There is an explicit distinction drawn between free apps that allow you to access purchased content.

[1]https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/#rea...

They seem to fall under the “reader app” exception that I understand as basically consumption of licensed works such as movies, songs, books.

My guess is that those categories just don’t have the margins to support a 30% cut without charging more then other platforms. An email service, dating all or games are basically arbitrary prices where every sale is making some money for the company. The store cut is annoying, but basically it’s still revenue.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com