We reported last week on the appalling actions of Lodsys. The patent licensing firm has been sending out letters to iOS developers, threatening legal action if they aren't paid royalties for the use of their invention.
The company's claim that iOS apps with in-app purchasing options are infringing on their patent has been causing an uproar in the developer community. While everyone holds vigilant to see what (if anything) Apple has to say on the matter, the EFF decided to speak up yesterday...
Remember when we told you about the in-app purchasing changes that came with iOS 4.3? Apple removed the 15 minute window of password-free app purchasing in wake of consumer complaints. At the time, several angry parents were asking the FCC for an investigation into Apple's in-app purchasing practices.
Well, it appears that the recent update didn't make the situation blow over, because the complaints have started to materialize. A Pennsylvanian man adds his name to a long list of people in litigation with Apple, filing a lawsuit citing breach of contract and unjust enrichment...
Apple's iOS 4.3 has been making headlines for weeks. From iTunes Home Sharing to mobile hotspot, new features keep pouring out of Apple's latest iOS update. With so many big changes, it's easy for the smaller firmware tweaks to go unnoticed. One of those features, which I was glad to see added, is a required password reentry for in app purchases.
In previous versions of iOS, in app purchases did require a password, but with one major drawback. Apple gave users a 15 minute window after password authentication to make in app purchases. This window was to prevent a choppy App Store experience, especially for users purchasing multiple items. What was so wrong then, that they went and changed it?
The official Twitter app was recently updated with some significant changes. Among other new features, Twitter decided to add the "Quick Bar" to the top of the timeline.
Twitter had good intentions with the Quick Bar; it was designed to help users keep a better tab on trending topics. As topics trend, they push through the Quick Bar. Tapping a topic will activate the search window for that related hashtag.
People didn't like Twitter's new Quick Bar. And an internet backlash on what was cleverly coined the "Dick Bar" has caused Twitter to push another update that attempts at making the Quick Bar less intrusive.
In a surprising move, Apple has launched its App Store subscription service without a co-release of iOS 4.3. In-app subscriptions will allow content producers to easily deliver content with a reoccurring purchase model, instead of a one-time, à la carte purchase system.
It was assumed that Apple would introduce its subscription service during a press event, but apparently a press release on Apple's website was all the announcement deserved.
Rupert Murdoch's "The Daily" news app was the first official peek at what Apple's subscription service would look like, but The Daily has been offered for free since its release. At the end of this month, The Daily will begin its paid subscriptions with Apple's new infrastructure...
Apple is making the move to have more control over App Store apps that utilize "in-app" purchases. The Sony Reader app was recently declined from App Store approval due to Apple's new stance on in-app transactions.
Until now, developers were able to sell content with in-app purchases through their own payment infrastructure. Apple has now made the stance that all in-app purchases must go through the Apple payment system, which in turn would give Apple a 30% cut off the top of sales.
This marks a shift from Apple's previous claim to want a more collaborative relationship with content producers who want to manage in-app purchases through their own backend...
Last week Apple started authorizing in-app purchase for free iPhone apps. This move was very well welcome by developers who see in this a better way to fight app piracy. I personally don't think in-app purchase will change much to app piracy, but I might be wrong.
I am sure of one thing though: you, the buyer will ultimately be the big loser in this game. Let's take the example of an iPhone game. Before in-app purchase, you would buy the game for let's say $2.99. You own the game and the 40 levels it includes. If there are new updates to the game (ie. new levels), you get them for free. It's all good.
Now with in-app purchase, most developers will give you the same game for free, except it only has 2 levels. If you want 10 more levels, it will cost you $0.99. Another 10 more levels is another $0.99. Another 10 more levels is another $0.99, etc...
So instead of paying $2.99 for the full game, you now have to pay $0.99 at a time to get the upgrades or newer levels. In the end, the full game will end up costing you more than you would have paid if you had purchased the game in one shot.
I understand not all developers will go that way but I'm pretty sure a lot of them will.
What do you think about in-app purchase? Do you think that ultimately, the buyer will benefit from this? I look forward to hearing your thoughts...