Spotify released a pretty huge update for its iOS app today. Users can find and sign up for premium plans quickly and conveniently directly from the app. A recent, landmark court ruling has shifted the balance. It raised the restrictions that Apple had placed on it, so that Spotify could offer more liberal subscription terms. The update is intended to improve the user experience for American consumers who have been deprived since 2016.
In 2016, Spotify stopped allowing subscriptions to its Premium service through its iOS app. The move was necessary for the company to avoid paying Apple a hefty 30% commission on in-app purchases. Recent legal developments, most notably a recent ruling in the case against Epic Games, have shifted the landscape in favor of app developers. Now, they are more free to control subscriptions and terminations and speak with users with much less restraint.
Implications of the Legal Ruling
With the new update, Spotify users can now easily “click a link to purchase the subscription of choice, upgrading from a Free account to one of our Premium plans.” This feature simplifies the subscription process and offers “other payment options beyond just Apple’s payment system.” Spotify wants to provide the largest variety of choices to its consumers. To do so, they are reworking their website to better tell that story.
The court’s ruling has implications beyond Spotify. It prohibits Apple from enforcing certain App Store rules that could “impede developers’ ability to communicate with users or levy or impose a new commission on off-app purchases.” This change is going to push thousands of developers to start adopting new revenue models and drive higher user engagement.
Needless to say, Spotify is continuing to powerfully maneuver in this space. The firm is dedicated to ensuring that the company’s platform remains easy and intuitive to use. This newest app update is an important move in focusing on what consumers want, and continuing to adapt to the changing regulatory environment.
What The Author Thinks
This update is a positive move for both Spotify and consumers, as it increases flexibility and accessibility for users while encouraging innovation within the app ecosystem. It also highlights the growing importance of legal challenges in shaping the future of app-based businesses.
Featured image credit: Heute
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