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Spotify Goes Anti-iTunes, Urges Subscribers Not to Pay Through App Store
According to a report by The Verge, world’s leading music streaming service Spotify is planning to send out an email to its iPhone customers, urging them not to subscribe for premium each month using the App Store’s in-app purchase system and instead subscribe directly through Spotify’s website.
The company is basically trying to raise awareness among iOS users that they can save $3 per month by subscribing for Spotify premium on the web instead of the App Store.
“In case you didn’t know, the normal Premium price is only $9.99, but Apple charges 30 percent on all payments made through iTunes,” the email blast reads. “You can get the exact same Spotify for only $9.99/month, and it’s super simple.”
The message is followed with a step-by-step tutorial that explains how to shut off auto-renew through iTunes (so Apple won’t keep charging you the higher $12.99-per-month rate) and transfer your account to the web — something that can only be done once your current subscription lapses.
Spotify adds that if you can’t do this immediately, you need to wait till your current plan ends and then transfer your account to the web. Recently, Apple has been criticised by other rival music services as well for the 30% cut it takes from in-app subscriptions, with complaints growing louder with the launch of Cupertino company’s own Apple Music service.
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Personally speaking, I wouldn’t trust anything that comes from The Verge.
There’s a reason they shut down their own comment system.
Does Apple Really charge a 30% premium on iTunes? I don’t recall ever seeing it, unless I’m blind and need to check again.
I don’t know why they are making a fuss. Apple takes 30% of what you sell it for on the App Store. Google does the same thing. They take 30% for paid apps being sold. So… For all these app developers that are complaining is just foolish. I think people complain more on Apple because they know that they are competing directly. Where as Google has had their music service for a while and it isn’t really all that mainstream. Also I agree with the guy above, The Verge has not been very reliable…lol
Good for Spotify. Like companies with some balls and not scared to piss off the big guy.
Good for spotify. I would like to see them remain competitive in music streaming. I know Apple will do well and I think they should, but I think competition is healthy and better for the consumer.
Good for them. However, their main competition is themselves. They have more than half users on their free model, and also don’t offer a family tier service like Apple do. I have 3 people so in the end I pay way less per person than if I go to spotify by paying through their web service.
Nonetheless to say, I like competition and this should give us lower prices for the music we enjoy
The thing is, if Apple was to not charge the 30% on subscriptions, but on up front fees, Devs would naturally prefer a subscription modal, which Isn’t a better experience for the user. Having 30% for everything makes sense. If anything, I think they should switch to a tiered system (I think this has already been brought up) like our tax system. 1$-2$ apps pay 10%. 3$-5$ pay 20%. 5$+ pays 30%. In the same way the tax system works where the first dollar is at 10%. It would give a little extra incentive for lower prices. At least in theory.