What Apps Are We Missing Out On?

Restrictions on in-app purchases (IAP) on platforms like Apple's App Store have stifled the creation of numerous apps, particularly affecting business models that do not fit neatly into the IAP system. The high 30% cut taken by Apple from digital transactions limits the financial viability for many developers, particularly for user-generated content companies and smaller apps that don't produce first-party content. Technical constraints also hinder developers, as modifying billing through IAP is cumbersome and difficult to test, creating challenges for apps with dynamic pricing models such as those in the prosumer space. The case of Tingles, an ASMR app, illustrates the significant engineering challenges required to work within these limitations. However, potential changes to App Store rules, partly driven by legal cases like Epic v. Apple, may open up opportunities for alternative payment methods, offering developers greater flexibility and potentially spurring innovation by allowing the use of platforms like Stripe for more adaptable billing systems.