"It was an insult to our customers".

This sums it pretty well. It is dissapointing to see Apple see this otherwise. There is enough ad-supported big-tech out there already. Think different.

He doesn't seem to mention what I find worst of all: ads in iOS itself, such as in Settings!

IIRC those ads were for subscriptions to Apple-owned services, but I still hate them.

Pushing ads through system notifications from Apple apps was simply abusive, and I hope the practice has ended.

How much money does Apple need?

I suspect the advertising business is partly an effort aimed at hamstringing Google and Facebook, as they are essentially ad businesses with various consumer front ends. Or, a more Machiavellian explanation is that to Apple it's essentially free money, and the latest leadership - simply looking for bonuses and promotions - are pursuing it simply for their own benefit. It's clearly not being done in the interest of Apple's users.

Microsoft is playing this same game - I got a new Windows laptop for testing, and finding all the settings to turn off "promotions" and other "suggestions" was like a reverse treasure hunt.

Original Twitter Thread: https://twitter.com/stuntpants/status/1585150636781637632

While I believe they can do it fairly, privately, etc - I think it’s a bad idea to go much further than they have. Ads in store sections, ok. Maybe ads in maps as long is the user is still put first, maybe. Ads elsewhere things will start to go downhill fast. No interrupting ads.

Relatedly most subscription apps that remove ads, it should really be $5-10/year at most. Imho.

I don’t like ads.

The question now is whether or not apple scrap them. There seems to be many additional caveats that weren't forethought.

I understand that developers are looking for ways of being seen with ads being in high demand, but surely these developers could place ads outside the app store, rather than demanding apple fix their marketing problem.

To me, advertising is what will eventually cause the downfall of Apple. It causes distraction and a disjointed strategy that should be focus on making good consumer electronics products.

HN, do you think ads in iOS is a good business move? On the one hand, there is so much money to be made. On the other, this is a short term gain that cheapens the brand.