Surprised
In September of last year, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) launched an investigation into Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store to examine the experiences of consumers, suppliers, and developers in Australia.
[…]
In a submission to the commission, Apple says that it’s “surprised to hear that developers have legitimate concerns about their ability to engage with Apple in the app review process,” and that it “invests significant time and resources in engaging with developers directly” to ensure the quality of apps on the platform.
Apple’s 20-year developer relations chief and VP Ron Okamoto (who oversaw App Store review, policies, organizing of WWDC, developer communications, awards, SDK distribution and more) has retired. He’s been replaced by longtime marketing exec Susan Prescott.
See also: Andy Lee.
Previously:
- FlickType Developer Sues Apple
- Epic Counterclaims, Europe, and Valve
- Scammy KeyWatch and Trezor Apps
- How to Improve the App Store
- Apple Antitrust Investigations in Italy and Australia
- The Information’s App Store Ordeal
I encourage my fellow Australian developers to go and read Apple's submission in full. Surprising doesn't begin to describe it.
Did you know Apple "has local Developer Relations teams who act as on-the-ground primary points of contact for developers to communicate and provide feedback to Apple"? Neither did I! When did that happen? Last week? Anyone care to share these mythical points of contact?
Or did you know that Apple's "locally-based Developer Relations teams are in constant communication with developers about new apps and features, and work with developers to find solutions"? My response to that, what a load of crap.
The last time I had any contact with anyone in Apple's Australian developer relations would be the mid 2000s, some 15 years ago. I expressed how poor I thought communication was and my hope for a better relationship going forward. Since then absolutely nothing.
Want to know about Apple's Australian developer relations? Go lookup Bell Gibson and TC Chan and that sleazy affair.
Again what a load of crap.