Earlier this week it was announced that the new email service "Hey" could be kicked out of the App Store if it doesn't offer in-app purchases. Now Apple's marketing chief Phil Schiller has commented on this.
The new email service "Hey" costs around $99 a year. But the developers don't want to offer the subscription option via the app, but only via their own website. The reason for this is the App Store fee. The team behind the email application does not want to pay for this. However, this approach violates App Store guidelines, which is why Apple could remove the application. Apple's marketing chief Phil Schiller has now spoken to TechCrunch. According to him, Apple is not planning to change the App Store rules just to accommodate the new "Hey" app. According to Schiller, there are "many things" that the developers of "Hey" could do to make the app work within the existing App Store rules - and Apple would "love it if they did that."
Exception for "Reader" apps
The current version of the Hey app does not offer in-app purchases or a registration option. The application opens directly to a login screen that lets users know that they cannot subscribe to the service in the app. Since Apple does not allow external links that bypass in-app purchase options, Hey also does not offer a link to the website where users can register. Schiller commented on this as follows:
They download the app and it doesn't work, we don't want that in the store. That's why Apple requires apps to offer the same purchasing functionality as elsewhere.
There is a rule in the App Store that states that apps that offer subscriptions or purchase options on the web or elsewhere must also have in-app purchases so that users can register directly on an iPhone or iPad. An exception applies to "reader" apps. Netflix and Spotify, for example, have applications in the App Store where users cannot register for their services in the app itself but must have an existing account. The "Hey" providers wanted to obtain the same exception. But unlike streaming applications, an email service is not considered a reader app. Schiller explained:
Schiller gives tips
We have not extended these exceptions to all software. Email is not and has never been an exception to this rule. Apple made a mistake in approving the original version of the Hey app and the app should have been rejected. Apple did indeed reject Hey's Mac App Store application, but the iOS application slipped through.
Schiller went on to explain that the developers of Hey have a number of options that will help them comply with Apple's rules to stay in the App Store. He gave examples such as charging different prices in the app and on the web or offering a free version with additional paid features that can be purchased via the Hey website. However, he ruled out changing the App Store guidelines. Whether the Basecamp team will take this to heart remains to be seen. If you want to read the whole interview, you can find the article here. (Image: Apple)
