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Re:Regulators probe Apple 30% subscription plan by benologist on Friday February 18, 2011 @02:23PM (#2236830)
Except Apple didn't build Netflix any more than HP, Dell or LG did, all of whom provide devices you can use for Netflix.

Why doesn't Firefox get to charge 30%? A big chunk of people probably get to Netflix via it.

Re:Regulators probe Apple 30% subscription plan by danilocampos on Friday February 18, 2011 @02:25PM (#2236840)
So we'll let the market decide which approach provides better value and a better user experience. Sounds like we've all got options, so what's the problem?
Re:Regulators probe Apple 30% subscription plan by commandar on Friday February 18, 2011 @03:22PM (#2237079)
Because Apple's terms are distinctly anti-market. Apple is forcing vendors that sell content on their platform to incur a 30% overhead, and then forcing them to maintain the same pricing across all platforms.

So you have an overhead that doesn't exist on other platforms artificially introducing pricing inefficiencies elsewhere. Just the tip of the iceberg, really.

Re:Regulators probe Apple 30% subscription plan by shou4577 on Friday February 18, 2011 @02:45PM (#2236925)
I've got one problem, but I haven't really figured out how it fits in exactly.

Assuming a lot of things in how this plays out, I don't find it terribly unlikely that some subscription services will have to raise their rates to maintain a profit. Maybe not a big problem for iOS users, since they get the benefit of using the app store for purchases.

What about non-iOS users? I subscribe to Netflix, but I don't use any apple products to access that subscription. According to Apple's rules, Netflix can't have the subscription available at different prices, and so my price goes up because of Apple's policy.

There may be some ways around this, like Netflix offering two plans - one that includes iOS use, one that doesn't - without hiking the latter. But they might not.

I haven't yet worked out what the "fairness" of this all is. As a consumer, I certainly don't feel that I am entitled to never having price hikes, and I realize at the same time that some of the money from products I pay for is used to support products that I don't pay for. But this feels wrong to me - maybe it's just the directness of it. Apple says "pay more" and even people who don't buy Apple products have to pay more.

Re:Regulators probe Apple 30% subscription plan by falcolas on Friday February 18, 2011 @02:57PM (#2236967)
The problem is Netflix can't offer their content to Apple customers at $13, and everyone else $10. Apple using their position to remove those options you say consumers have.
Re:Regulators probe Apple 30% subscription plan by neild on Friday February 18, 2011 @03:28PM (#2237108)
Sure they can: Charge $13 for Netflix with iOS streaming, or $10 for Netflix with no iOS streaming.
Re:Regulators probe Apple 30% subscription plan by xentronium on Friday February 18, 2011 @05:13PM (#2237509)
I'm almost sure this kind of trick won't help your app get validated.
Re:Regulators probe Apple 30% subscription plan by invertd on Friday February 18, 2011 @02:48PM (#2236938)
The problem is that YOU're going to end up paying an additional 30% of the price. Don't be fooled...those companies at the other end of the subscription will pass that 30% straight to you.....