In a significant development, game emulator Delta has become one of the first apps to capitalize on the recent court ruling that forced Apple to open up its App Store to external purchases. The updated app, approved by Apple on Wednesday, now allows users to join the Delta team's Patreon membership directly from the mobile app, without giving Apple a cut of the subscriptions.

The move comes on the heels of last week's court ruling in the Epic Games vs. Apple antitrust lawsuit, which ordered Apple to fully open up its U.S. App Store to external purchases. Although Apple largely emerged victorious, the judge ruled that the tech giant had failed to comply with the court's orders regarding in-app purchases. As a result, Apple changed its App Store rules, allowing businesses like Spotify, Amazon Kindle, and Patreon to update their iOS apps and add links to their websites, enabling users to pay directly without using Apple's in-app purchases.

Delta's update is particularly noteworthy, as it demonstrates how the ruling can pave the way for new business models for monetizing mobile apps. By linking to its Patreon membership page, Delta can now keep more of its profits, bypassing Apple's 27% commission on in-app purchases. This change could have a significant impact on the App Store ecosystem, particularly for smaller developers who struggle to make a living after paying Apple's commission.

In the updated app, users are prompted to "Join our Patreon" from the Settings screen, where they can click a button to subscribe to Delta's $3 per month Patreon membership, which offers exclusive features and perks. The web page opens inside the app, allowing users to link their Patreon accounts and choose a membership tier. Delta creator Riley Testut celebrated the update on social media, saying "We can now freely mention our Patreon without giving Apple 27% of donations. Goodbye scare screens!"

It's worth noting that Delta still includes an option to pay through Apple's in-app purchases, as required, but it's tucked away under an "Alternative Payment Methods" menu in the Settings screen. This move is reminiscent of Apple's own tactics, where it often hides pro-consumer options deep within layers of menus. For instance, users have to delve into their iOS Settings to turn off Apple's personalized ads or clear app usage data.

The approval of Delta's update suggests that we may soon see other Patreon-supported apps emerging in the near future. This could lead to a shift in the App Store's business model, with more developers exploring alternative revenue streams that don't involve Apple's commission. As the App Store continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how this change impacts the ecosystem and the developers who rely on it.