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Fed Up With Apple's Policies, App Developers Form a 'Union' (wired.com)
Even as Apple has addressed some of the concerns outlined by iOS developers in the recent years, many say it's not enough. As the iOS App Store approaches its tenth anniversary, some app developers are still arguing for better App Store policies, ones that they say will allow them to make a better living as independent app makers. On Friday, a small group of developers, including one who recently made a feature-length film about the App Store and app culture, are forming a union to lobby for just that. From a report: In an open letter to Apple that published this morning, a group identifying themselves as The Developers Union wrote that "it's been difficult for developers to earn a living by writing software" built on Apple's existing values. The group then asked Apple to allow free trials for apps, which would give customers "the chance to experience our work for themselves, before they have to commit to making a purchase."
The grassroots effort is being lead by Jake Schumacher, the director of App: The Human Story; software developer Roger Ogden and product designer Loren Morris, who both worked for a timesheet app that was acquired last year; and Brent Simmons, a veteran developer who has made apps like NetNewsWire, MarsEdit, and Vesper, which he co-created with respected Apple blogger John Gruber.
The grassroots effort is being lead by Jake Schumacher, the director of App: The Human Story; software developer Roger Ogden and product designer Loren Morris, who both worked for a timesheet app that was acquired last year; and Brent Simmons, a veteran developer who has made apps like NetNewsWire, MarsEdit, and Vesper, which he co-created with respected Apple blogger John Gruber.
These developers gain no leverage by forming a union. They remove their apps from the store forever, Apple doesn't care. There is no power to be gained except maybe in media coverage.
Except it's the app store sharing it instead of a forum or BBS.
Apple never liked demo/shareware software much because it could be buggy and make their hardware look bad.
Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
Around 85% of smartphones worldwide are Android. THAT is why you're not making any more. Maybe follow the lead of most PC software manufacterer's and ignore Apple and their tiny market share. They're not worth the time and hassle.
I'm all for Apple making money off the Apps people put into the App Store. It's their Phone, it's their Platform. They deserve to make money off that. But THIRTY FUCKING PERCENT OF ALL In-App Purchases?? That was never a fair shake and was a definite cash grab meant to exploit the work of the Developers creating those Apps. There is simply no way to justify taking 30% of the revenue from the Developers who toil to make those Apps. I think it's time Apple slashes it's cut and substantially. And by substantial I mean just that -- at least half, down to 15% or even 10%. Perhaps these Developers can attain some critical mass and have enough weight that they could yank all their apps and make a considerable dent in the App Store. That sort of move would get attention and provide some leverage. It's high time Apple stopped fucking over it's developer base, who has been a large part of the reason for the iPhone's success.
If they find it difficult to make a living as an independent app developer then stop being an independent app developer. Not only is it easy to earn a living from being a software engineer, most of us make a really good living from it. How many apps aren't created by independent developers but are instead created by companies with teams of developers? They're not going to join a union. A union would only works if enough app developers join it. The fact that you can't make a living from it tells me that the app store is over saturated with apps.
Though their sentiment and goals are worthy - retain a higher percentage of your work - forming a "Union" does nothing if scabs ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... ) are allowed to post apps for less return. This is no different than Lyft/Uber lowering pay for cab drivers, there's no way to form a virtual "union line" to keep scab apps out, so this movement is predestine to fail.
The Google store used to do this. They'd allow you to uninstall an application within, I think it was an hour or two, and you'd be refunded for it.
When I think about it, I was more willing to try paid applications at that time. I don't mind paying a buck or two for something that's going to serve me well, but I do mind paying a buck or two for a steaming pile, or even for something that works okay but isn't really to my taste.
I don't know why they quit doing that. I'm a lot more willing to try something out if I can kick the tires a bit before I'm committed to paying for it. I hardly think I'm the only one.
To fight the war on terror, stop being afraid.
I have several apps on my Android phone that I first installed for free and then upgraded to the paid version.
It boggles my mind that Apple wouldn't have this.
Don't call it a union. The republican political machine will try to destroy it. Call it a trade group, and fund political candidates that will fight for protections for app developers. It's a much easier path that can get support from both sides of the aisle.
One of our competitors trademarked the term "hypothesis". From now on, we will call them "boneheaded ideas".
The android developer here spent a fair amount of time making an ad-free upgrade option for some (fairly well selling) android game. He sold 6 copies.
apple doesn't give a shit about developers.
I don't think 30% is high at all for what you get in return.
Apple has hundreds of millions of customers around the globe with payment information on file, so all they have to do is click on you app and confirm they want to pay.
You don't have to worry about hackers messing with your payment system to grab customer payment info. You don't have to worry about complying with privacy laws across scars of countries.
You also don't have to worry about standing up servers that can take any amount of traffic from anywhere 24x7, for both fetching the app itself and application related resources.
They also handle the update process without you doing any work or having to send out notices of new versions.
It's crazy to me to complain that everything an application developer gets in return is worth less than 30% of revenue... if that's really a problem can't you just charge more? No? Well I guess you were never a serious business to begin with if you were entirely dependent on that whole infrastructure making your application possible to begin with and can't survive when you charge customers the amount you need to survive.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
That already is a thing.
whether it be a Guild, Trade Group or Union the only ones guaranteed to make a good living are those running the organization.
;)
Because if they don't, the organization shuts down. But while the ride lasts they get paid first, regardless of their performance.
As a self employed contract computer programmer with 30+ years in, I do hope I am wrong and wish them success in their efforts.
Just my 2 cents
Around 85% of smartphones worldwide are Android. THAT is why you're not making any more. Maybe follow the lead of most PC software manufacterer's and ignore Apple and their tiny market share. They're not worth the time and hassle.
Research from a few years ago showed that iOS apps had over 5x the revenue per download as Android apps. I believe the methodology was to compare Apple's and Google's published data for number of apps downloads over the year and the amount paid to 3rd party app developers over that same year.
Now consider the nature of many of those phones. According to Apple's and Google's current statistics to reach 90% of the current visitors to their respective app stores an Android app has to target the last 4 major version of Android and an iOS app the last 2 major versions, the preceding includes the current version. This increases development and testing costs for Android apps.
Its quite naive to think things are as simple as the number of phones on each platform. Perhaps you aren't qualified to call others idiots.
their facemen (Trump, Alex Jones, Bill O'Rielly) are, but the ones pulling the strings are not. They'll see right through calling it a 'Trade Union' and if it gets any traction come down on it. They might as well use the Union moniker. When things turn to shit people turn to Unions because organizing is the only real solution. If app devs are using that word it tells you how dire their situation is.
Hi! I make Firefox Plug-ins. Check 'em out @ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/youtube-mp3-podcaster/
Went to Vimeo to watch the documentary. They want $15 to watch. That's the same price as a major blockbuster film on iTunes.
I think we can safely guess that these folks are in need of a reality check. You are not entitled to make money. You have to make something people value. Not because they "should" value it, but because they do. Just because you worked hard doesn't mean people have to like what you built, and you will be profitable.
I always wondered why techies don't organize. In America We've been getting screwed since 2000 when the outsourcing started. And offshore I see guys working 16 hours a day 6 days a week (7 during crunch time). It's not like we don't all have the internet.
Hi! I make Firefox Plug-ins. Check 'em out @ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/youtube-mp3-podcaster/
I donâ(TM)t get the issue here...
If IOS app development does not present a profitable target maket for a developer, then donâ(TM)t develop for it. It doesnâ(TM)t really matter the reason. If you develop an business model that it is difficult to be profitable, that is your fault (as long as the rules were changed mid-stream).
I donâ(TM)t develop applications for Amiga computers. Nor OS/2. While I may find it fun, I would not be able to make a profit. So instead I develop around Windows mostly. I get the reasons they are not profitable are different, but that dois ant really matter.
And if developers simply choose profitable markets (say android), they can only win! They will...make money! And if this has a meaningful impact on Appleâ(TM)s bottom line, they may change policies to make it profitable for devs (double win). If not, oh well, you are already profitable by developing for a profitable market.
Nothing here to create a union about. I honestly canâ(TM)t imagine, the thought just boggles my mind.
Maybe Iâ(TM)ll create a union to complain to Stallman about how GNUâ(TM)s licensing makes it difficult for me to sell proprietary solutions to customers. They keep distributing it (and the source due to the license requirements). So other potential clients donâ(TM)t pay for it. Which his reply would be...âof course...developing proprietary code using GPL code is a stupid business modelâ
Apple never liked demo/shareware software much because it could be buggy and make their hardware look bad.
Apple's current app review process would still keep out the buggy and otherwise seriously flawed.
That said, the Apple and Google app stores are already much like shareware with respect to quality. Mostly amateurish software that is not well written nor well designed. Now I don't want to seem too harsh with that statement, many of these apps are from beginners so the fact they started a project and got it working and published it deserves much praise - these beginners are demonstrating much potential talent, yet it is still only potential talent and most apps are generally mediocre.
The 30% is certainly high for companies that already have everything you described, like Amazon and Microsoft.
That's probably true. However neither of those companies are paying anything to Apple, who is distributing apps for them for free.
You can download any MS Office app today; you can't run it without an Office365 login.
You can download a Kindle or Prime Video app today, which costs nothing and lets you make use of Amazon resources.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
I'd be okay with free trial, but I'm concerned what these developers want is a way to get people to pay who forgot they even have the app.
All too often these offers actually mean "free for 30 days then we automatically bill you full amount unless you jump through these hoops you'll forget about by then".
If it's a legit free trial, i.e. app stops working and asks you to pay, then fine.
Love it!