Steve Jobs Says In-App Subscriptions Don't Apply to Software as a Service Apps?

Steve Jobs has reportedly replied to a developers email suggesting that the new In-App Subscription rules don't apply to Software as a Service applications.

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Hello Steve,

As a full time iOS developer, I am concerned (and confused) withe the new App Store guideline regarding "Apps offering subscriptions" (section 11.12).


Most of the iOS apps I have developed, as a contractor for other businesses, have been free apps that had login screens to allow the user access to some amount of private data. and/or service. These businesses have all been well established companies that sell some kind of service to their customers (Software As a Service companies) and the iOS app was merely another "portal" for their users to access their data/services (in many times, in a limited i.e. "mobile" fashion).... for example; SalesForce. I am concerned that most of these businesses will choose to not develop an iOS app for their customers if the IAP & subscription policy was in place.

Would these type's of free apps be still be allowed in the App Store or will they now be expected to use IAP?
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We created subscriptions for publishing apps, not SaaS apps.

Sent from my iPhone


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