Dominance of Apple and Google’s app stores impacting competition and consumers

Re:Dominance of Apple and Google’s app stores impacting comp... by fredophile on Tuesday April 27, 2021 @11:28PM (#26965207)

Could you explain what you mean about customers paying a premium today? I don't think any apps that are on iOS and other platforms charge more for iOS. I also don't believe an iPhone costs more than a similarly high end Android phone. Where's the premium?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Dominance of Apple and Google’s app stores impacting comp... by havernator on Tuesday April 27, 2021 @11:43PM (#26965311)

Some definitely do charge more for e.g. subscriptions on iOS than they do if you go through their website. They can't advertise the website option in their app, but it can exist.

Last time I made that mistake the site's subscription management interface was rather... uh, minimum viable product. Switching to paying the Apple premium was well worth it.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Dominance of Apple and Google’s app stores impacting comp... by fredophile on Wednesday April 28, 2021 @12:36AM (#26965646)

Thanks for that info. I wasn't aware that apps were allowed to charge more for subscriptions via iOS. I thought their only options in this regard was to not offer in app subscriptions at all.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Dominance of Apple and Google’s app stores impacting comp... by simondotau on Wednesday April 28, 2021 @12:07AM (#26965467)

Those very few ultra-premium models are exceptions which prove the rule; a few ultra-expensive, ultra-premium halo products for price-insensitive customers. Android phones are almost always superior value for money.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Dominance of Apple and Google’s app stores impacting comp... by lotsofpulp on Wednesday April 28, 2021 @10:23AM (#26969691)

iPhones start at $400, and come with 5+ years of prompt software updates.

[ Parent | on HN ]