Apple sends out notification pushing iPhone users to upgrade

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Apple advertising 1
This is the message received by users.
Photo: Steve Lederer/Twitter

Apple’s apparently taking its “fire drill” approach to pushing the iPhone XR and XS seriously. As noted by developer Steve Lederer on Twitter, Apple recently sent out a push notification prompting users to upgrade to the iPhone XR or XS.

This was sent out to people on Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program, so it’s not really breaking Apple’s own App Store rules stating that apps should not send unsolicited spam to customers. However, it’s also not the kind of soft sell we’d usually expect from Apple.

“Aren’t advertising notifications like this against App Review guidelines?” Lederer writes. “I’m thinking it’s section 4.5.3 which clearly states ‘Do not use Apple Services to spam, phish, or send unsolicited messages to customers, including Game Center, Push Notifications, etc.'”

When another Twitter user pointed out that he had signed up to the iPhone Upgrade Program, suggesting he’d want to know about the new iPhone, Lederer responded that:

“I guess so? But it still feels like an abuse of the push notification. Bottom line: people generally don’t like when stores send them unsolicited push notifications to get them to buy stuff. Feels like something Best Buy would do…not Apple Retail.”

More aggressive about selling iPhones

This ties into a recent report that Apple is being far more aggressive about pushing its new iPhones. This comes at a time when the overall smartphone market is slowing, and Apple is being hit with reports that its new iPhones are selling in disappointing numbers.

As a result, the company is pushing very un-Apple ads promoting reductions on its iPhone XR, via the buyback program. It has also reportedly moved marketing staff from other projects to try and come up with ways to sell more iPhone XR and XS units.

Ultimately, anyone clutching their pearls because a company that sells products is being aggressive about selling product is probably being a bit overdramatic. It would be easy to understand people’s annoyance if Apple starting send iPhone XR push notifications to every user — regardless of whether they had expressed interest in upgrading.

That’s not happening right now. Given the outrage that occurred when Apple last pushed something (a free album in that case) to all its users without asking, I don’t see that happening any time soon. But as another data point in Apple’s overall change in strategy? This is definitely interesting.

Via: Apple Insider

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