How Apple’s 30% app store commission became a boon and a headache

OAKLAND: Twelve years ago, Apple introduced the App Store, a peculiar online marketplace for the year-old iPhone. It had 500 offerings. Apple told app makers it would take a 30 per cent cut of their sales, and few complained.

Today, the App Store is one of the world’s largest centers of commerce, facilitating half a trillion dollars in sales last year alone. And Apple still takes 30 per cent of many apps’ sales.