So, like, Spotify just announced that Apple totally greenlit their app update in the U.S. It’s gonna let users check out pricing info and external payment links. And get this, it all went down after a judge told Apple to stop charging commissions on purchases made through iPhone apps.
Spotify’s spokesperson Jeanna Moran was all like, “Yay for consumers, artists, creators, and authors! Apple finally said yes to our app update in the U.S.” She added, “After almost ten years, we can now show clear pricing info and links for purchase, giving U.S. consumers more transparency and choices.”
She didn’t stop there, saying, “Now we can offer lower prices, more control, and easier access to Spotify. There’s still more work to be done, but this is a big win for developers and entrepreneurs looking for a fair shot. It’s like the start of something new, and we’re totally pumped for it!”
The new app version, 9.0.40, is already rolling out on the App Store. Spotify is one of the first major apps to get in on this update action, which means users can start making purchases.
They sent the update over to Apple yesterday, mentioning how they can now inform customers about different subscription options and their costs right in the iPhone app. Users can also click on links to buy or change their Spotify subscription plan on the company’s website, without getting hit by Apple’s 30 percent service charge on in-app payments. And guess what? Spotify can now share promotional offers with U.S. customers in the app.
Apple reluctantly agreed to follow the court’s order on Wednesday, but they’re not happy about it. They plan to appeal the decision because they strongly disagree with it.
U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers said Apple broke the rules by not changing its App Store to let developers direct customers to their websites for purchases. According to the judge, Apple didn’t just ignore the order, they did it on purpose to create more barriers against competition.
So hey, if you’re into tech news, there’s this event happening in Berkeley, CA on June 5. You might wanna check it out.
Aisha, who’s a total pro at reporting consumer news for TechCrunch, used to cover telecom stuff at MobileSyrup. She’s got a degree from the University of Toronto and a master’s in journalism from Western University.
And that’s the scoop on Spotify, Apple, and the whole shebang. Can’t wait to see what happens next!
