Apple may be looking to turn third-party AI apps into a new revenue stream. On the company’s Monday earnings call, CFO Kevan Parekh said AI could “contribute to revenue growth over time” through “third-party apps and partnerships as well as first-party opportunities” — a hint that arrives as Apple’s services business faces real pressure. (Credits: TechCrunch)
Apple’s App Store Is Under Pressure From Regulations and a Gaming Slump
The context is clear. Apple’s services business remains at record levels, but its core — the App Store — has been squeezed. Regulatory changes and lawsuits, including the Epic Games ruling that forced Apple to let apps redirect users to outside payment systems, have cut into commission revenue. Third-party estimates in August suggested an 18% drop in U.S. commission revenue, with declines also seen in Brazil and Japan after new regulations took effect.
At the same time, Apple has acknowledged “headwinds in mobile gaming,” and Parekh noted the App Store’s September-quarter performance was roughly flat year over year — even as the company posted a record number of paid subscriptions with double-digit growth for third-party apps.
Could Third-Party AI Agents Be Apple’s Next Revenue Play?
Parekh offered no specifics on what the AI opportunities might look like. But as Reuters reported Monday, investors are wondering whether Apple could profit by distributing third-party AI agents through the App Store and taking a cut of the revenue they generate — essentially replaying the App Store playbook for the agentic era.
Apple expects services growth of 8 to 9% in the December quarter. Whether third-party AI apps become a genuine growth driver or remain a vague promise from earnings-call season, one thing is certain: Cupertino is hunting for its next services engine.
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Source: TechCrunch — read the full story there.
