Apple has been attempting to create multiple revenue streams for itself. The company has brought in a new system that will now allow people to tip content creators — and let Apple to tax the said income to create more money for itself. The Cupertino giant has brought in a series of new taxation policies to its app store. So yes, voluntary tipping is now a thing. And Apple will benefit every time you tax someone.
This could also bring the whole tipping thing out of the waters of uncertainty and make it something that developers start instituting on a regular basis.
Tipping is already prevalent in various applications in different parts of the world. And considering that it is something that is taken as the mark of good service — and indeed, service providers in various places take offense if you don’t tip them. Different video streaming services like Yinke and Yizhibo, already have tipping available within them.
These apps also allow viewers to give tips to streamers. This is however unlike major applications like Facebook Live and Periscope, which don’t allow tipping. However, they have a different arrangement wherein publishers can chose to advertise on their streams and keep a share of the revenue.
Up until now, there were no legal guidelines from Apple regarding the matter. Now though, the company has specified exactly what is allowed and what is not.
Apps may use in-app purchase currencies to enable customers to “tip” digital content providers in the app.
So if you are a developer, you can now add the tipping feature into your application. There is only one caveat, and that is you must share 30 percent of the profits with the Cupertino giant. This was, the devs are happy, the folks tipping are happy (since its voluntary), the performers are happy, and most importantly, Apple has a brand new revenue stream.
