If you haven’t heard the latest episode of Accidental Tech Podcast, check it out. @liss, @marco and @siracusa did a fantastic job interviewing Phil Schiller, covering WWDC, developer relations and App Store improvements, as well as what drives fan interest.

@martinfeld Did you really think that? I thought it was pretty weak. I think to have an interview about developer relations and not discuss: (1) the revenue split; or (2) how Apple thinks developers should earn money from their apps was a missed opportunity and made it seem less like a proper interview and more like an advertisement.

@pyrmont You’re absolutely correct in what you say; it was a mostly positive, complimentary discussion and there is certainly plenty about the App Store that could be improved! In my mind, the three of them were presented with a similar situation to what Gruber faces onstage at his live Talk Show event each year with Apple executives; he can press them for certain answers about difficult topics but can’t go too deeply or harshly, at the risk of never having them back again. Given Schiller’s mention of listening to such opinions in podcasts and staying up late after keynotes obsessively reading reviews, I’d say that he’s more than aware of any negative sentiment and that bringing up on this show would only have served to alienate him.

@martinfeld Hahahaha, you're so polite, Martin! You should have just told me to shut up :P

That said, in the interests of being constructive I'd say there was a difference between Gruber's interview and ATP's. Gruber did still do things like ask 'Why, if reaching up and touching a screen is an ergonomic nightmare, that's the way Apple advertises the iPad?'

ATP could have done something similar. What's Apple's rationale for choosing 30% for their cut? Why not 40%? Why not 10%? Why only for electronic goods? If that's perceived as an overly aggressive environment that will discourage future appearances, well, ATP's got to the level they're at now without Apple's support.

@pyrmont Haha thank you but I genuinely meant what I said, not just being polite! :) You make a good point about Gruber's questioning; I suppose that something a bit more challenging or pressing could have been asked.

@martinfeld @pyrmont considering the timing of his appearance on the Podcast I expected something different and more actual questions as well. Basically it was just some storytelling... but I really enjoyed it anyways 😉 Phil is always fun to listen to and genuinely seems like a really nice person.

@hutaffe @pyrmont Yes, storytelling is a fair way to put it. 🙂 Once WWDC arrives, it will be interesting to see what will happen for developers when it comes to Marzipan and any other store improvements. The recent Spotify story also makes things interesting. Apple obviously looks after its own interests but I doubt that it’s totally detached from what is being said about the store.

@martinfeld I’m excited and expect a big WWDC this year, although I try to keep it down and not get too disappointed again when there is almost nothing new again 😉 I don't expect any immediate changes to the App Store rules and pricing though. It would be an admission to Spotify's claims with the EU. Plus: I don't see Apple thinking that there is anything wrong. They might hear the complaints, but they’re there since a long time. Maybe next year.