[dwaite]

This is the model they have moved to in the EU - an annual per user-app core technology fee for apps enabled to be listed outside the store, and relaxed in-store rules (and reduced commissions) if you choose to still list in Apple's App Store. Effectively, they are acting as if commissions are paying the core technology fee, and subsidizing it for apps which aren't profitable.

The per-user model means that apps which have adopted freemium and advertising-driven models wind up having quite different financials, and could be more expensive.