Federico
AppStories Episode 285 - Exploring Reading and Research Apps
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45:22
This week, Federico and John survey some of their favorite reading and research apps across all of Apple’s platforms.
App Debuts
Marvis My favorite Apple Music client and music player for iPhone and iPad was updated earlier this week with a new gesture, advanced settings, and deeper integration with Apple Music. For starters, Marvis now supports a greater list of Apple Music sections such as city charts (which can be configured for your region), recently...
Apps for Your Next Road Trip
It’s summertime, which means road trips. It wasn’t a vacation, but having just driven nearly 750 miles from Chicago to Charlotte, I’ve been thinking about apps to help you plan long car trips and keep you occupied and entertained along the way. So today, I’ve got six apps to share: three for planning your trip...
Interesting Links
If you’re looking for a great-sounding pair of wireless headphones, Chris Welch recommends Bowers & Wilkins’ new PX7 S2 in his review for The Verge. (Link) Sony took the wraps off its new Inzone line of monitors and headphones designed for gamers this week, which look great based on this overview in The Washington...
Three Ways to Get Organized and Save Desk Space
My recent move was a good opportunity to rethink parts of my setup. As I explained in the Monthly Log, my Mac Studio and Studio Display have all the ports I need, so I’ve been able to eliminate a hub from my setup, making my desk a lot neater. That led me to consider whether...
MacStories Unwind: Only Murders In the Building and Loot
This week on MacStories Unwind, Federico is enjoying season two of Only Murders In the Building, while John loves Loot.
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Links and Show Notes
Federico’s Pick:
- Only Murders In the Building (Season 2)
John’s Pick:
My Years-Long Pursuit of the Ideal Mac Setup
It’s taken me a long time to figure out my ideal Mac setup. The years-long Mac laptop mess didn’t help, but the situation was also complicated by changes in the way I work. There was a time when Mac laptops were my primary computers. That’s because I commuted into Chicago every day and train time...
Tracking Hydration with the HidrateSpark PRO STEEL
App Developers Can Apply to Use Third-Party Payment Processors in South Korea With Limitations→
To comply with a recent amendment to South Korea’s Telecommunications Business Act, Apple is allowing developers to use third-party payment systems for the first time. However, the new App Store entitlement comes with substantial limitations.
Developers who want to use a third-party payment processor must apply to Apple for a StoreKit External Purchase Entitlement. Apps with the new entitlement can only be released in South Korea’s App Store, which means that developers will need to make a separate version of any app that uses the entitlement. As Apple explains, using the entitlement also means certain App Store features will be unavailable to users too:
If you’re considering using this entitlement, it’s important to understand that some App Store features, such as Ask to Buy and Family Sharing, will not be available to your users, in part because we cannot validate payments that take place outside of the App Store’s private and secure payment system. Apple will not be able to assist users with refunds, purchase history, subscription management, and other issues encountered when purchasing digital goods and services through an alternative purchasing method. You will be responsible for addressing such issues.
Third-party payment processing isn’t a way to get around Apple’s commission on purchases made by users:
Apple will charge a 26% commission on the price paid by the user, gross of any value-added taxes. This is a reduced rate that excludes value related to payment processing and related activities.
Developers will need to handle the payment of any taxes to South Korean taxing authorities themselves too.
It’s hard to imagine that Apple’s new StoreKit External Purchase Entitlement will be attractive to many developers, given its limitations and the need to create a separate version of apps just for South Korea. I expect we’ll see this new StoreKit entitlement offered on a country-by-country basis as other countries follow South Korea’s lead, but I don’t expect it will lead to meaningful use of third-party payment processors unless and until apps are available outside the App Store via sideloading.