Apple is finally delivering on its promise to allow some developers to connect to their sites from within their Apps. Starting today, the so-called “App reader”- like Netflix, Kindle or Spotify – they can insert an outbound link to their site for activities such as creating or managing an account. In this way, the experience of iOS users on such platforms should finally improve. Let’s see how.
App reader: Apple allows linking to the Netflix, Spotify and Kindle sites
Apple’s rules have always created problems in the use of App readers. Just to give an example, until recently those who downloaded the Netflix application but did not have an account had no way to create one, because there was no link to the original platform. And this has been a problem for many users, making access to industry apps almost frustrating. Now, however, Apple has finally decided to change the rules, thus meeting the needs of everyone – or almost everyone -.
Apparently, now App reader developers will be able to apply for a “right” before they can add an external link within the App. Indeed, if a developer is connecting a user to his site, this must display a screen explaining that any purchases made will not be made through Apple. And it must be able to access a page that explains the risks associated with providing the information to a third-party developer.
Credits: Apple
Beyond that, Apple has also drafted a list of requirements that Netflix, Spotify and Kindle links must have to be inside the Apps:
- the link must be open in a browser, not in an in-app web view
- no additional data or parameters can be transferred to the website
- the App cannot contain text explaining how much the services on the website will cost.
Finally, Apple will review the changes to the App readers before they are finally published – which could worry developers a lot -. Already this, however, appears to be a huge step forward for the mobile applications of Netflix, Spotify, Kindle and the like.