Apple will take a small commission from widget developers

Apple is launching a new program for widget developers that cuts fees for in-app purchases. Thursday, The company announced That widget creators who Join the program Take advantage of a lower commission rate of 15 percent — half the 30 percent commission rate that Apple charges other developers.

Apple describes widgets as “self-contained experiences” created using HTML5 and JavaScript that reside within another app. It has become a form Popular in Chinawhere apps like Tencent-owned WeChat have built-in services for ride-hailing, food delivery, payments, and more. cable and Sedition Likewise offer widgets, whereas Snapchat and He also tried TikTok With them.

News of the program comes only hours later Apple reached an agreement With Tencent, allowing it to earn a 15 percent commission on purchases from WeChat mini-apps. Part of the antitrust lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice against Apple accuses the company One of the super stifling applicationsOr applications that provide a set of services (or mini-applications) on a single platform. This move may help reduce antitrust pressure.

Apple says its new program will help “developers who host mini apps grow their businesses and increase the availability of mini apps on the App Store.”