In a bold move, Epic Games and Spotify are putting Apple's new App Store policies to the test by submitting updated versions of their respective apps for review. This comes on the heels of Apple's recent policy changes, which were prompted by a federal judge's ruling in the Epic Games antitrust lawsuit.

For Epic Games, this means the potential return of Fortnite to the App Store, which was removed in 2020 after the company introduced direct payment support in the game, violating Apple's rules. The move led to Epic filing an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, which ultimately resulted in the policy changes.

Spotify, meanwhile, is seeking to allow users to purchase individual audiobooks directly within its app, as well as enable Premium subscribers to buy additional "top-up" hours for audiobook listening. This development follows Apple's approval of the Amazon Kindle app, which recently added a "Buy Book" button, and Spotify's own update last week, which allowed U.S. users to access pricing information for its subscription plans.

The updated App Store policies, rolled out last week, mark a significant shift in Apple's approach to in-app purchases. The changes were mandated by the federal judge's ruling, which directed Apple to be more competitive in its payment processing practices. Prior to the changes, Apple required developers to apply for permission to link out to their websites for alternative payment options, and then charged a 27% commission on those web sales.

The new policies eliminate these barriers, allowing developers to link to web purchase options without additional hurdles or commissions. This move is expected to have a profound impact on the app ecosystem, particularly for smaller developers who may have struggled to survive under the previous regime.

For tech giants like Epic Games and Spotify, the policy changes are about boosting their bottom lines. However, for smaller developers, this shift could be a game-changer, enabling them to explore new business models and potentially thrive in a more competitive landscape.

As more apps take advantage of the new policies, the implications for the app economy will become clearer. One thing is certain, though: Apple's revised approach marks a significant departure from its previous stance, and the tech industry will be watching closely to see how this plays out.