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Hacker News front pageAlex Blake3 min readintro

Apple has added persistent 'ads' to iOS, and it's driving users crazy

Summary

Apple is integrating persistent, often un-dismissable promotions for its own services like iCloud+ and Apple Music directly into the iOS Settings app. This move is generating significant user frustration due to the inability to easily dismiss these "ads" and their persistent notification badges.

  • Apple is displaying non-dismissable promotions for its services (iCloud+, Apple Music, AppleCare+) within iOS Settings.
  • These "ads" often create persistent notification badges that cannot be cleared without subscribing or waiting weeks/months.
  • Users are highly frustrated, comparing it to "enshittification" seen in other platforms.
  • Apple's motivation is a strategic "services push" for growth beyond hardware sales.

This article highlights a significant shift in Apple's product strategy towards monetizing its user base through persistent in-OS promotions, impacting user experience and potentially setting a precedent for other premium platforms.

4/10

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