Comment by superzamp
5 days ago
I would imagine that getting the user out of the in-app purchase payment screen and attempt to redirect them at the website for payment, have them figure out how to enter credit card details etc would result in a drastically decreased conversion rate though.
So it should! Then Apple's App Store and IAP could compete on its own merits, rather than restricting competition from existing at all.
Apple does compete on its own merits. Its merits are that it built and controls the operating system and hardware that people choose to buy.
If other companies have an issue, then they can build their own software, their own hardware, and compete.
Companies don’t make laws (unless you live somewhere like the US); people do. If the people say “stop fucking around and rent-seeking” then companies should have to do that. It’s pretty simple, really. Just because you build your own hardware and software doesn’t give you the right to do whatever you want.
Apple is free to leave the European market if it doesn’t like the rules.
I bet the Robber Barons said something like “Don’t like it? Build your own railway!” too.
Imagine a major streaming service: Subscription through Apple 30USD/Month or 25USD/Month if you do it through this one click fintech app.
The fintech app can even pay the streaming service for every customer they bring.
So for the users who already have the fintech app its a no-brainer, click once and get a free coffee each month. For those who don't have the app already it can push them to create an account as they see it on every app as a cheaper alternative. In Europe at least, even traditional banks are able to create a new customer account through a few steps in the in the app. It's usually just about entering your name, taking a photo of your ID and then scanning your face by looking left and right on the camera. You can have a grace period to add the funds for the subscription.
Banks already pay a lot of money for new customers, its pretty common in some places to offer interest-free loans or give cashbacks when you create a bank account through the app. They can partner with those services to offer months of free use or upgrades and then suddenly the value for the trouble of a few click and a scan goes up substantially.