Comments on: Apple and Google’s tax on developers

By: kingmel

kingmel — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 06:02:03 +0000

Apple provides the iOS platform and SDK. Apple developed the App Store under its valuable brand name, distributes the products, and handles the transactions. Apple advertises iOS products and maintains interest in iOS apps.

How does David Streitfeld figure that 30% of gross is too much?

By: The Other Steve

The Other Steve — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 03:16:18 +0000

I WISH Corbis only took 30% for my photos they sell.

By: Jax44

Jax44 — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 02:36:42 +0000

Isn’t he a shitload off by saying iOS units sold are just 24 million in a year?.
iPhones , iPads, iPod touch…

By: Jonathan Richard

Jonathan Richard — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 02:00:15 +0000

The analysts are once again full of it. Yes, distribution costs have decreased — but marketing costs haven’t. It’s harder now to get people’s attention with so much info out on the ‘net.

These types of people are the same ones in the late 1990′s & early 2000′s were predicting Apples decline and fall.

By: MacFreek

MacFreek — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:58:07 +0000

Tax? The developer can certainly opt out, many have, it’s their choice. If you choose to opt out of paying the Feds you will be severely punished.

By: disposableidentity

disposableidentity — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 23:49:09 +0000

I’ve never heard a developer upset with Apple’s 30% share of sales.

It’s way less than almost any other form of distribution, and has a built-in addressable market of hundreds of millions.

By: iGads

iGads — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 23:46:15 +0000

Back when I used to be in the game development business, we got 3%-6% and had our expenses. I’ll take the 70% any day of the week with no expenses.

The Streitfeld should shut up. He’s not a developer and has no clue what he’s talking about. Must be hard to find something to write about these days.

By: Wrong Again

Wrong Again — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 23:28:18 +0000

“Before Apple sent its iPhone out into the world, anyone with a great idea for a cellphone app had to deal with the carriers — a difficult and time-consuming proposition.”

Notice how he doesn’t mention COSTLY! Anything can be difficult and time-consuming… But the main reason why you didn’t have hobby developers intent on making a profit is because there was LITTLE profit to be had.

“controversy, including assertions that Apple was being shortsighted as well as greedy.”

No, actually developers were EXCITED because that meant they wouldn’t have to pay up to 75% to the carrier. The controversy came later as devs that never had to deal with carriers thought 30% was too much.

By: Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 23:08:58 +0000

Well apple got the ecosystem right, which is why the app store and itunes is so successful and vibrant, i dont see samsung and android ever competing with the app store