In Apple's App Store, apps that are subscription-based always leave users hanging. There was an uproar when Nobility, a note-taking software, planned to switch from a buy-to-own system to a subscription system.
Unexpectedly, now Apple has also 'eyed' the subscription-based mechanism and has published an 'update subscription notice' to all developers, with the biggest change being the renewal mechanism for subscription-based apps.
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Under the updated subscription model, developers can choose to automatically renew subscriptions for price increases that require certain conditions and advance notice to the user, so that no user action is required and the service is not disrupted. In other words, it means that as long as the user does not cancel the subscription, it will 'automatically renew' even if the app increases in price.
With such a subscription system, it is clearly detrimental to users if developers raise prices unchecked. Therefore, this mechanism also imposes certain restrictions on developers. The specific conditions are that the price is not to be increased more than once a year and that the increase does not exceed $5 and 50% of the subscription price, or $50 and 50% of the annual subscription price, and that local laws are observed.
And, Apple will inform users of the price increase via email, push notifications, and in-app messages. Apple will also notify users how to view, manage and cancel their subscriptions if they wish.
▲Image from: MacRumors
There are restrictions on developers, but it still seems to be 'unfriendly' to users compared to the current subscription mechanism. Currently, when the price of an auto-renewing subscription goes up, subscribers must opt-in before the price of the app goes up. For subscribers who do not opt in to the new price, the subscription will not be renewed for the next billing cycle.
A comparison will show that the change in the subscription mechanism is to change the user's subscription initiative from 'active subscription' to 'active opt-out'. Although it can avoid the situation that some users inadvertently interrupt certain services, it actually inadvertently increases the subscription cost and learning cost for users who only have a short-term need for these subscription applications.
▲Image from: Apple
Looking at the changes to the subscription model, Apple seems to be 'giving users a hard time'. But for developers, Apple's app update strategy for the App Store has also caused a lot of controversy.
App developers who have not updated in the past three years and have not met the minimum download threshold (meaning the app has not been downloaded at all or has been downloaded very few times in 12 consecutive months) will receive an email notifying them that an app they developed has been identified for possible removal from the App Store.
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In order to keep the app on the App Store, the App Store team contacts developers to ask them to make any necessary changes, and updates must be submitted within a specified time frame; failure to make changes on time will result in the app being removed from the App Store until the developer submits the update and gets it approved.
If it is an app that crashes on startup, it is immediately removed from the App Store.
▲Image from: Apple
Apple has since said that it actually started an App Store improvement process back in 2016, at the suggestion of developers and to ensure a great user experience, to remove apps that no longer work as expected, don't follow current review guidelines, or are outdated. Over the past few years, more than 2 million apps have been removed.
Apple has also now changed some of the details in the program, extending the time for developers to update affected apps from 30 days to 90 days.
▲Image from: Apple
Originally, to get an app on the App Store, developers had to pay a fee (RMB 688) to become a member of the Apple Developer Program. However, due to various reasons, some developers are unable to update their apps on time, and their hard work will "disappear" from the App Store.
Although the app is still associated with the developer's account after it is removed from the App Store, current users can continue to use it. But it seems to be a 'lost cause' for the developers who paid for it and went through the trouble.
▲Image from: Twitter
So, overall this improvement is good for the user experience, but some developers think this solution is a bit harsh. The best situation for Apple's App Store as a platform to connect developers and users should be a win-win situation for all three parties.
But these successive changes make one wonder if the cost to users and developers seems to be higher and the only 'real winner' seems to be the App Store.