I like Tim Cook, but there are moral issues he seems completely blind to, like this 27% tax nonsense. Forget iOS. By Apple’s logic, they could also charge 27% (or anything!) for any business that has a Mac app and links to their web site. Never in computing have we seen a company so overreach.
@manton In the end is it possible that he is a nice guy but also answers to shareholders primarily over anyone else. I dont think Jobs was a nice guy (or Bezos is), but they fundamentally defaulted to customers over shareholders I feel.
@manton I think he probably has little choice other than to go through the motions with this thing. Ultimately this initiative goes nowhere (which Apple itself admits is the likely outcome), and services revenue takes a small hit, but it gives Cook the cover with shareholders to say that he tried.
@manton It feels desperate, as if they don’t have any other ways to make money like maybe creating things people actually want. But by all means, flog weird helmet goggles and gouge more fees out of people.
@emilyhegarty Yep. Apple is at its best when focused on everyday, well-designed products. They seem to get lost when prioritizing ads, services, developer tax, etc.
@emilyhegarty @manton You are on to something. Apple has perfected the business of making things. The trouble is the world needs fewer things made for the sake of our survival. So they need to diversify but they are really bad at everything else. I think desperate is right.
@ddanielson Exactly. People forget that capitalism is a tool: a means to an end. That end needs to be an economic system that enables prosperity for everyone, not just a few who can get away with raiding all of the resources (customers) and exploiting the workers (developers).
@jonah @fgtech @ddanielson @manton @emilyhegarty @jmanes @jasonmcfadden @thomasjpr @stupendousman @vincent Curious - how much do you think Apple's "tax" should be (without the alternative App Store and side loading argument)?
@rom less than 10% and bring it in line with most alternative payment providers (Stripe, Paddle, Gumroad) etc — plus the yearly sub for the dev account ($99). That would be OK. Although for me it’s the way you’re treated… so I’d rather have better treatment and flexibility than a lower “tax”.
@mb I don’t know. I’m not a developer. But I know it’s a problem because some small developers in my hobby area have stopped making Mac versions of their utility programs because the Apple fees are too high.
@vincent interesting - 10% enough to fund the store infrastructure and SDK development with the 3-5% payment processing included?
@emilyhegarty well, the Mac one is open - you can distribute outside of the Mac App Store, so IMHO, it is not an issue for most developers who don't want the Apple fee. Curious as to why they are not distributing it via other avenues.
@rom My ideal is exactly as stated: an economic system that benefits everyone. That means customers, developers and, yes Apple too. But each party needs to earn their keep. Apple should not make money through “taxes.” We pay plenty for the devices. It’s up to them to earn their services revenue.
