'Apple Tax': After Twitter, Could Elon Musk Be Eying Smartphone Market?

After venturing into social media, Twitter's new CEO Elon Musk could be laying the ground for launching his own mobile smartphone.

Ubeer Naqushbandi

Updated on: 1 December 2022 12:10 pm

Billionaire Entrepreneur Elon Musk

The spotlight on billionaire and now Twitter CEO Elon Musk refuses?to fade.?Musk is everywhere and in every news?headline, be it for his hostile takeover of Twitter or his controversial policies on how to run the microblogging site.?And now, the Tesla CEO seems to have waded into another?controversy after his “no commission” to iPhone giant Apple. He has been vociferously saying no to the “Apple Tax”.?

Twitter will again roll out Bluetick or Twitter Blue or Verified Blue and as per Musk's new rules,?users will?have to pay eight dollars to get the service. The users have to make an in-app purchase for the blue tick subscription, which means Musk’s Twitter must?pay a commission for the same?to Apple and Google whose app stores host the microblogging platform. However, Musk has made it clear that he won’t be paying the commission.

Apple has also threatened to withhold Twitter from its App Store, but won’t tell us why
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 28, 2022

What is Apple Tax or Google Tax?

Apple Tax is a commission that iPhone maker Apple charges to web developers for every purchase they make on App Store.
Google also takes a similar commission from web developers.?It is a 30 percent cut, the company makes from web developers for each purchase on App Store.

Did you know Apple puts a secret 30% tax on everything you buy through their App Store? https://t.co/LGkPZ4EYcz
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 28, 2022

What is the controversy all about?

Apple should publish all censorship actions it has taken that affect its customers
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 28, 2022

Musk’s consistent attack on Apple through a?string of tweets has put the Tim Cook-led company in cross-chairs.

Musk has also claimed that the Apple company won’t give the reason for taking Twitter out of App Store.

Musk has said that backlash from the iPhone giant has already started since it stopped advertising on his micro-blogging site—Twitter.

Musk has also criticised Apple for its “monopoly” over alleged censorship.

If observers are to be believed, behind Musk’s brouhaha could be a business ploy. In attacking Cook’s Apple, Musk could be doing might indeed be laying the groundwork for his?own smartphone brand.

The hint has come from Twitter’s top CEO Liz Wheeler. In a?tweet, Twitter CEO Wheeler said: “…The man builds rockets to Mars, a silly smartphone should be easy, right?”?

What has given credibility to the rumours of Musk launching his own smartphone brand in the international market is Musk himself. On?November 27, the tech entrepreneur announced that?he may launch his own smartphone brand.

“…if there is no other choice, I will make an alternative phone”.

Musk's meeting with Apple CEO Cook:

Thanks @tim_cook for taking me around Apple’s beautiful HQ pic.twitter.com/xjo4g306gR
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 30, 2022

On Thursday, Musk met Cook at Apple’s Headquarters. Musk has now clarified that his plan to move out of App Store has been shelved, after he had a fruitful conversation with Cook. Musk also claimed that the apprehensions have been mutually resolved. However, Apple is yet to issue a statement on Musk’s new assertion.?
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