Gene Munster challenges Apple to eliminate Developer Program subscription fee

Loup Ventures’ Gene Munster this week challenged Apple to eliminate the company’s $98.99 per year subscription fee for the Apple Developer Program.

The Apple Developer Program allows developers to reach customers around the world on the App Store for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and iMessage, and on the Safari Extensions Gallery and provides access to beta software, advanced app capabilities, extensive beta testing tools, and app analytics.

Gene Munster for Loup Ventures:

Apple has risen to the challenge of COVID-19 making WWDC 2020, which kicks off on Mon. June 22, entirely virtual and entirely free. Now, the company has an even more profound opportunity to double down on inclusivity…

As a free online event, the barriers to joining the Apple developer community have never been lower. I’d challenge Apple to take it one step further and reduce or even eliminate the $98.99 per year subscription cost for the Apple Developer Program. All of this is an investment in making the Apple ecosystem better. A more diverse offering of software and solutions is a better offering.

Inclusivity is a competitive advantage for Apple and the company should double down at WWDC20.

MacDailyNews Note: In addition to challenging Apple to eliminate Developer Program subscription fee, Munster covers what he expects at WWDC20, including:

• iOS 14
• New macOS with ARM-based Mac Roadmap
• watchOS 7
• tvOS
• HomePod software
• Potential Hardware Announcements
– AirTags
– AirPods over-ear headphones
– New HomePod or HomePod Mini