Category: Apple|Sep 19, 2023 | Author: Admin
Spotify doesn't give up
“We were bullied by Apple”
Share onSpotify appears to be using the spotlight on Apple, in connection with the iPhone 15 and iOS 17 launches, to once again aim at the company's App Store fees and what the company refers to as consumer-hostile attitudes and pure bullying.
Spotify doesn't give up
In the press release, the company puts the history between the two companies into perspective.
Among other things, it is pointed out that Daniel Ek, Spotify's boss, stated five years ago that Apple refused to roll out an update of Spotify on the App Store, and that Ek saw no other choice but to "hit back against one of the biggest, most powerful (and loved) the companies of the world to protect the future of the Internet economy.”
Those are big words from a company accused by artists of being far too greedy by paying out too little per play and demanding too many plays before making money.
Apple also picks and chooses which app developers in the App Store have to pay them a 30% tax. Often, customers end up paying this extra cost. In contrast, Apple's own apps do not have to pay this fee (such as Apple Music), and they come pre-installed on the iPhone so that consumers see and pay for Apple's apps first.
Claims to have been bullied into delivering a poor service
“The world is moving faster than ever. Every day that goes by without regulatory intervention, consumers continue to pay too much, many developers' dreams die with a 30 percent tax they can't afford, and Apple's monopolistic roots take even stronger hold," says the press release, which gives kudos to the EU for the new big law that has been adopted . Spotify hopes and believes that it will help consumers.
Spotify believes that Apple sells fewer products, and that it is therefore all the more important for them to sell services - this even though pre-orders for the iPhone 15 should be around 10 to 12 percent better than last year's iPhone 15 launch.
Spotify also believes that Apple just recently put the wheels in motion: "We recently launched audiobooks on Spotify, and we were incredibly excited to connect authors with millions of fans.
But Apple stood in the way and our engineers were forced to create a complicated multi-step process for audiobooks that users don't want or deserve.” The company goes so far as to say they were bullied into launching an experience they weren't happy with.
Furthermore, they list a number of points that Apple allegedly denies them:
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Tell customers what our prices are for upgrading to Premium membership options
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Allow our customers to request an email or other communication telling them about the ways they can save mone
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Provide our customers with different payment options beyond what Apple requires (eg a credit card or PayPal, etc.)
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Deliver new product enhancements or introduce new features to our customers without Apple's explicit approval.
