Best Smart Light Switches That Don’t Require A Neutral Wire

No neutral wire in your switch box? We have you covered.

Smart light bulbs are awesome, but they aren’t always an option. That’s when you look to the next link in the chain and consider a smart switch. You can control everything on the switched circuit at once, and most are even dimmable with the right lamps. Connecting them is also fairly easy, too — just shut the power down and move the wires from one switch to the other. Unless your switch box doesn’t have a neutral wire.

A lot of switch boxes won’t have a neutral wire because of how the wiring inside the walls was done. A switch doesn’t need a neutral wire — it simply breaks the connection on the line that supplies power to a light or whatever else it controls. But most smart switches, like the ones from Wemo or GE, do require a neutral wire. This is because they need to be powered on all of the time for the Bluetooth or Wi-Fi radio to operate. This can be a problem if you want to build out a smart lighting system.

Never think you know what a wire’s function is based on its color! It’s common for a switch box without a neutral wire to use a white and black wire as the switched “hot” lead because house wire comes in a roll with a black, white, and bare copper lead encased in its shell. In this case, the white wire could have current and should be treated as such. Contact a licensed electrician if you have any doubts about what you see or are uncertain of anything.

If you’re faced with this issue there are several things you can do.

• Bite the bullet and use smart lamps instead of a smart switch. Smart bulbs can be expensive if you need to outfit some lighting fixtures, especially if they use a non-standard base for the individual sockets. But having an electrician rewire the circuit is expensive, too.
• Make sure there isn’t a neutral wire in the switch box. If you see other wires connected by a wire nut in the back of the junction box, there’s a good chance one of them is a neutral circuit. If this is the case, an electrician can tell you if you can tap into it and supply power to a smart switch. Don’t go poking in there unless you know what you’re doing, though!
• Contact an electrician to rewire the switch.

None of those solutions are great, but as of April 2018 all Z-Wave switches require a neutral wire to operate. If you find an older model that works without one, it’s not going to be compatible with any newer parts — and there are a lot of older models still floating around shopping websites and home improvement stores. Thankfully, there are two other solid options.

Lutron Caseta dimmable switches

Lutron makes a complete smart lighting system that will work without a neutral wire. The switches are rated for 150 watts of LED or 600 watts of incandescent/halogen lamps and are fully dimmable.

Each switch comes with its own remote, but you can also use a Lutron bridge to add them to an existing Wink network or control them from your phone with the Lutron app or Google Assistant, an Amazon Echo, Google Home, or through HomeKit. They also come with a designer Claro wall plate and are ready to go out of the box.

Lutron’s smart switches are very highly rated and are high-quality electrical components. You might already have Lutron “dumb” switches in your house. The only drawback to using them is the price. A Caseta starter kit including one switch, one remote, and a Lutron Smart Bridge runs between $90 and $100, and an individual switch with a remote will set you back about $50. You can connect up to 50 Lutron devices to the bridge so you’ll probably only need one. There’s even a starter kit if you don’t know where to… start.

All in all, these are great switches from a company that’s been making electrical since the 1950s and well worth the initial price. They’re also the best option that doesn’t involve calling an electrician for most of us.

See at Amazon

Ecolink Automated Switch Module

Ecolink makes a much cheaper but less elegant option called an Automated Switch Module. It’s a cover that attaches to your existing switch and is controlled via a Z-Wave smart hub like the one from SmartThings. When activated, it physically moves the switch from one position to the other. That’s pretty genius.

It’s also not especially attractive and mechanically moving parts tend to stop moving eventually. But still, this is a novel approach to a difficult problem. We love those! An Ecolink Automated Switch Module costs about $40 and you can still use the switch by hand.

See at Amazon

What’s your solution?

How do you fix smart home issues? Stubbornly? Let us know in the comments!

How to watch the Royal Wedding online

You don’t have to look any farther than YouTube.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will wed at 11 a.m. BST on May 19. That’s somewhere in the neighborhood of 6 a.m. on the east coast of the U.S., and 3 a.m. out west.

And we’re told that a few people are interested in the royal ceremonies. And hats. Something to do with hats.

The question, then, is what’s the easiest way to watch — especially in 2018, when a good number of us have gotten rid of cable TV and have moved to streaming. The answer is simple and complex at the same time. For there is more than one way in which one can watch a Royal be wed.

Watch the Royal Wedding on YouTube

See that video up top there? (Or, erm, here.) That’s the easiest way to watch Harry and Meghan get married. For every single streaming platform and every single mobile device has quick access to YouTube. (Or you could just park yourself on this page until the show starts, which is fine by us.)

Why watch this way? For one, YouTube has some real experience when it comes to streaming live events. It also has more bandwidth than just about anyone on the planet (we’re just guessing here, Mr. Bezos), so things should hold up just fine.

Plus, YouTube doesn’t require you to sign up for anything. OK, it’ll push you for a Google account, but even that’s optional.

Watch the Royal Wedding on an over-the-air antenna

Every broadcast network on Planet Earth is all over this thing. Or at least it seems that way. And if you’ve been looking for an excuse to rig up a decent over-the-air antenna, now’s a fine time to do so.

So, first: Find an antenna. We’ve got a great list of the best ones right here. Then you either plug it straight into your TV, or do something much better (and way more nerdy), like plugging it into a HDHomerun or Tablo box. That’ll let you spit the Royal Wedding goodness onto pretty much any connected device in your home, including phones and tablets, set-top boxes — and even just a plain ol’ web browser.

Or watch on a streaming service

Look, the streaming services aren’t ignoring this thing, either. And when it comes to finding a channel that it’s going to be on — say, BBC News, or E!, or Fox News, or whatever — all of the major streaming services will have something showing the royal couple getting hitched.

The question then is which service you should start with. We’ve got a great guide for that . Or if you just want to see which service has which channels, we’ve got a great grid for that.

The point is, there’s absolutely no excuse for not showing up at o-dark-thirty to see if Harry’s shaved his beard. You’ve got options.

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Best Travel Accessories for PlayStation 4

Whether you’ve got the original model, the Slim or the Pro, if you travel with your PS4 these are the accessories to get.

Traditionally you play your games console at home, that is unless it’s a Nintendo Switch. But, it’s not a totally ridiculous idea that you might want to carry your PlayStation 4 around with you, particularly if you’re traveling on a lengthy trip.

It’s not the most convenient thing you’ll ever do, but with the right accessories you can certainly travel both (fairly) light and have a great experience on the road.

• GAEMS Vanguard gaming environment
• Hori HD portable monitor
• Rolling Gaming backpack
• PlayStaton Gold wireless headset
• Controller case
• Portable hard drive
• Game disc carrying case

GAEMS Vanguard

This big beastly thing is an all-in-one travel solution for your PS4 (and Xbox One if you prefer). It combines a durable, protective case with an HD monitor so you can literally play anywhere you have power.

The Vanguard can accommodate a console with its power cord and controller, and it’s built like an absolute tank. Inside there is LED lighting, which is super important, along with a custom fit foam base and accessory bags.

You’ll also get a sling strap to carry it on your shoulder (it’s going to be pretty heavy) and a remote control, and all in it’s a pretty awesome package for $350. You can pack your console inside with everything you need to play and off you go.

See at Amazon

Hori Universal HD portable monitor

In some markets, this monitor comes with an official Sony PS4 license, but it’s also sold without the logo on the back and is otherwise the same monitor. It’s fairly pricey at around $200, but it has things a number of portable PC monitors don’t that mean you can use it with your PS4.

The biggest of those is the HDMI inputs. Many PC portable monitors hook up over USB, so while they’re cheaper, you can’t use them with the PS4. The Hori monitor has two, so you can switch between your console and your laptop while you’re on the road with ease.

It also has stereo speakers as well as a headphone jack and a really nice carry case to keep it safe. It’s only 720p resolution, but at 15.6 inches that’s not the end of the world, especially for console gaming.

See at Amazon

CTA Rolling Universal Gaming Backpack

If the Vanguard isn’t for you but you still need a great way to carry your console and accessories around, this great backpack from CTA is worth consideration. Because it’s also got wheels, when it’s fully loaded you can drag it behind you rather than destroy your back and shoulders.

It’s big enough to accommodate your console, controller, headset, there’s even a special section to slot your game discs into and keep safe. If you want to carry it on your back, just pop the handle away and stick the dust cover over the wheels to keep your clothes from attracting whatever is on the wheels.

The devil is in the detail and in this bag, you’ll find controller straps to keep them organized and safe as well as a dedicated sleeve for slim model consoles to provide extra padding and stop them from rattling around. There’s also space for a couple of water bottles and a headphone port so you can store your smartphone inside but still listen to your favorite tunes. And all for just $40.

See at Amazon

Sony PlayStation Gold wireless headset

This isn’t necessarily the best headset for the PS4, but for gamers on the go, it’s a great buy. Not only is it an official Sony product with a companion app to manage it on the console, it’s wireless, sounds pretty good and importantly, folds away.

The lack of cables and the fact that it folds up nice and compact and stashes away in the included bag makes it perfect for travel. Whatever bag you’re carrying your gear in, it’ll be able to safely find a home without taking up much space, and it charges from the same cable as your DualShock 4 controller.

It’s also now available at a great price of between $60 and $70. If you want something a little better, Sony also has a Platinum model for $120.

See at Amazon

RDS Controller case

While boring, a controller case is an important and inexpensive way to look after it when you’re traveling. No matter how good your bag is, your controller could easily get damaged during travel, especially the sticks.

For $15 you can get this officially licensed case from RDS that has a thick foam interior with a cutout perfectly designed to hug your DualShock 4.

The hard outer shell will protect against knocks and there’s a useful interior pouch to keep your all-important charging cable. And the logo on the outside looks pretty sweet, too.

See at Amazon

Portable hard drive

At home, you may well have a large, powered hard drive with masses of storage to store your PS4 games on, especially if you have a 1TB console. That’s not going to work very well on the road since it’s probably pretty big and something else you’ll need power for.

A portable USB drive, though, won’t be such a hassle. It hooks up over a single USB cable, requires no external power and will slip inside even a small pocket inside your bag. There are plenty to choose from, including branded game drives from Seagate, and a bunch of small drives in various capacities from Western Digital.

See at Amazon

Portable Game Disc Storage Bag

If you have a hefty collection and you want to move it around, this is a pretty good investment. You can toss in all your favorite game discs with their cases. There’s a lot of room inside, enough to fit 20 games, in fact. There’s also an extra storage pouch in the cover of the bag for other miscellaneous accessories.

The case is made of a heavy water-resistant material on the outside, with mesh material lining the inside of the case to help protect your games.

See at Amazon

Keep playing

As you can see here, just because you’re on the road doesn’t mean you have to leave your PlayStation 4 behind. These accessories will let you transport your PS4 with ease, so be sure to grab some before your next trip!

PlayStation 4

• PS4 vs. PS4 Slim vs. PS4 Pro: Which should you buy?
• PlayStation VR Review
• Playing PS4 games through your phone is awesome

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Prop up your smartphone with this $9 adjustable magnetic desk mount

De-clutter your desk and stay aware of incoming notifications.

While supplies last, you can pick up UGreen’s magnetic phone mount at Amazon for only $8.99 when you enter promo code 87HFODR4 during checkout. This offer saves you $6 off its regular price.

This aluminum alloy stand helps keep your phone viewable while it’s not in your hand. It comes with a metal plate you adhere to the back of your phone which then securely attaches to the magnetic head to keep your device propped up.

It allows for 360-degree rotation so you can find the angle which is most efficient for you, plus it’s compatible with virtually any phone as it doesn’t feature any brackets or arms to get in the way. A silicone pad is built-in on the bottom of the mount to prevent it from sliding around or scratching your desk.

At Amazon, 70 customers reviewed this item resulting in a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars collectively.

See at Amazon

This $13 APC wall surge protector has six outlets and two USB ports

Grab one to protect your gear!

It features six surge-protected outlets and two USB ports to keep all of your gadgets and accessories charged up for just $12.66. The two USB ports provide 2.4A of power to easily charge your phone, tablet, and more.

The SurgeArrest Essential provides 1080 Joules of surge protection and plugs right into your wall so there is no long cable to deal with. It does cover both wall outlets, but you gain six additional ways to charge your gear, so there’s no loss there.

Don’t forget to clip the on-page coupon to drop this down to one of the lowest prices we’ve ever seen on it.

See at Amazon

OnePlus 6 vs. Google Pixel 2 XL: Which should you buy?

The Pixel 2 XL is better than the OnePlus 6 but doesn’t offer the same value. Which one is better?

Six months after its launch, the Pixel 2 XL continues to be one of the best phones available today. Its camera holds up to the best that Huawei and Samsung have to offer, and the software experience is unmatched.

OnePlus, meanwhile, has made a habit out of undercutting traditional flagships by several hundred dollars, and the same is true of the OnePlus 6. The phone features a glass back, a new 19:9 display with a cutout at the top for the front camera module, and a new imaging sensor for the rear camera.

The 64GB variant of the Pixel 2 XL retails for $849, or $320 more than the base model of the OnePlus 6 with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, which is available for $529. It’s time to find out if the Pixel 2 XL warrants the premium.

OnePlus 6 vs. Google Pixel 2 XL: Specifications

What’s the same

The OnePlus 6 has a slight edge when it comes to the specs thanks to the generous amount of RAM, but you won’t notice any differences between either device in day-to-day usage. OnePlus devices, in general, are well-optimized, and the OnePlus 6 is no exception. The phone is just as fluid as the Pixel 2 XL, and you’re not going to see any slowdowns whatsoever.

OnePlus has also done a remarkable job with OxygenOS in recent times, striking the ideal balance between customizability and a clean user interface. OxygenOS also picked up iPhone X-style gestures at the start of the year, and they’re included out of the box on the OnePlus 6.

What’s different

There’s a stark difference between the two phones when it comes to the design side of things. OnePlus has switched to a glass back with the OnePlus 6, and Google offers a ceramic coating over a metal back with the Pixel 2 XL. The Pixel 2 XL is the gripper of the two on account of that ceramic coating, and far less prone to fingerprints. The OnePlus 6 with its Gorilla Glass 5-encased back is a smudge magnet.

Things are different up front as well. The OnePlus 6 has a notch at the top of the display — designed to maximize screen real estate — and the Pixel 2 XL does not. The result is that the OnePlus 6 offers a larger display in a smaller body, but the net gain is offset by the fact that there’s an unseemly cutout on the screen.

The Pixel 2 XL may not have a cutout, but its screen issues are well documented, so you’re effectively making a compromise with either device. At least on the OnePlus 6, you can mask the cutout via the settings.

While the OnePlus 6 is resistant to the splash of water, it isn’t certified for dust or water ingress. On the other hand, the Pixel 2 XL is IP67 rated, which means it’s safe to use in a pool. The Pixel 2 XL also has stereo speakers at the front, and while the OnePlus 6 leverages Dirac’s Power Sound to boost the volume from its single speaker, it isn’t quite as loud or detailed as that of the Pixel 2 XL.

However, the OnePlus 6 does have a 3.5mm jack, giving it a distinct leg-up over the Pixel 2 XL in the audio department.

Which should you buy?

Like previous launches, OnePlus has managed to offer a device that delivers 90% of the same user experience as devices that cost several hundred dollars more. The OnePlus 6 builds on that by offering a more premium chassis, upgraded internals, and a 256GB storage option.

I’ll delve into the battery and camera comparisons early next week, but from a value standpoint alone, there’s a lot to like on the OnePlus 6. The phone will go up for sale starting May 22 in North America, and from May 21 in India.

OnePlus 6

• OnePlus 6 hands-on preview
• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5T: How much changes in six months?
• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5: Should you upgrade?
• These are the official OnePlus 6 cases
• The OnePlus 6 doesn’t work on Verizon or Sprint
• Join the discussion in the forums

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

• Pixel 2 FAQ: Everything you need to know!
• Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL review: The new standard
• Google Pixel 2 specs
• Google Pixel 2 vs. Pixel 2 XL: What’s the difference?
• Join our Pixel 2 forums

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MrMobile can’t get his head around the LG G7

Part 1:

Part 2:

The LG G7 is tough to wrap my brain around, even given the space of two videos in which to do it. On the one hand, the G7 packs some truly compelling differentiators: the old reliable wide-angle camera on the back; the new Boombox speaker system rumbling away beneath the Raspberry Rose paint; the return of both IP68 ingress protection and MIL-STD 810G ruggedization. On the other hand, it’s shaved off some battery in the transition from the previous generation; traded OLED for LCD; and sacrificed the G6’s distinctive look and feel for a just-another-notched-phone aesthetic that’s fine … but really no more than that.

So is it worth your money? That all depends on what the price tag says when it comes to US carriers in June. I do some speculating in that department at the end of Part 2 – but until then we’ve got a lot of impressions to cover, from the offset earpiece to the still-there headphone jack. Join me for MrMobile’s two-part LG G7 review, stretching from the shores of Jeju Island to the back alleys of Google I/O! Then check out the full Android Central coverage here on the site.

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Here’s how to get 25% off almost 200 Osprey products at Amazon

Amazon is offering 25% off a huge selection of Osprey items. Osprey is a brand that rarely goes on sale, and with 195 items to choose from, this is definitely a deal worth checking out.

For instance, the Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack is down to $119.95. That’s the best price it has been on Amazon since last November. It has 4.6 out of 5 stars based on almost 500 customer reviews, and I personally would highly recommend this bag to anyone. It’s the perfect carry-on size, and it saved my life on a multi-flight vacation where I didn’t want to check any bags. There are compression straps on the inside and outside, and you can convert it from a backpack to a duffel bag at a moment’s notice. It has a few different harnesses that are adjustable for different body types, and there’s a built-in laptop sleeve, too. If you only ever buy one travel bag, it should be this one.

If you don’t need something super heavy-duty, this $49 Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack is awesome and highly-rated. It has tons of storage and different organization options, and it can hold 20 liters worth of stuff. It’s perfect for your everyday carry and then some. A slightly beefier option, the Osprey Nebula Daypack, is down to $84 from an average price of $90.

Finally, this Osprey Men’s Flapjack Backpack is another standout deal. It is on sale for $77, which saves you over $20 off the normal price. Positive customer reviews and a ton of color options seal the deal for this style. It has a zippered top pocket, reflective graphics, tons of quick-access features, and a dedicated laptop/tablet sleeve. It’s a great option for more stylized daily carry needs.

Do yourself a favor and check out the entire sale. Whether you’re on a long-haul flight or commuting to work, there’s something in this selection for you.

See at Amazon

Top 5 Google Tasks tips and tricks for staying productive

Google Tasks is an incredibly basic taskmaster, but you can make it work for you.

Google Tasks has been around for years and years, but it’s finally received the beginnings of an upgrade with the redesign of Gmail and the launch of a standalone Google Tasks app for Android and iOS. Google Tasks is minimalistic in looks and in features — especially compared to Google Keep, which is part to-do list, part note-taking app, and part inspiration board — but there are a few ways to help it keep you on-task and hitting your deadlines.

Download Google Tasks (free)

Make a dedicated list in Google Tasks for high priority items

Currently, you can’t assign any task a higher priority than the others. If you want to keep your high-priority items front and center, you’ll have to go a slightly different route: make a high-priority list. Google Tasks allows you to create different lists for your tasks, so keeping the important tasks in a separate list can help keep them front and center so you complete them first.

Tap the three-line menu icon in the bottom left corner of the screen.
Tap Create new list.
Title your new list **High Priority.

Tap Done in the top right corner.

Keeping your tasks separated into different lists can also help you keep those plans for that secret surprise birthday party on-track, or keep your tasks for your passion project from interfering with your work deadlines. You can also most tasks between lists easily from the Task edit screen to regroup and re-prioritize as you go.

Subtasks and descriptions

When you make a task, all you really have to give it is a title, but Google Tasks has two tools that can help keep together thoughts or needed items for your tasks. Tasks can have subtasks, meaning you can have a Grocery Shopping task with subtasks for each of the items you need, marking them done as you put them in your cart at the store. Tasks can also have descriptions, which allows you to give details about the matter at hand for easy reference while you’re completing your tasks, such as an address for errands you need to run, ingredients for a recipe, or plot points for that short story you’ve been meaning to work on.

Subtasks are easily seen below a task in the list view, but descriptions are limited to the first two lines of text under the title. For the rest, you’ll have to open up the Task Edit screen. Subtasks are dated independently of their main task, and while for multi-day projects and events, this can be a good thing, but it can also split up your task and subtask when sorting Google Tasks by due date.

Clean it out regularly

Google Tasks allows you to check tasks off easily, but they still hang around in the Completed section. While a list full of completed tasks feels pretty satisfying, cleaning it out will make your list easier to navigate and free up more space for newly completed tasks. You can even batch delete completed tasks:

Tap the three-dot menu in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Tap Delete all completed tasks.

Tap Delete to confirm the deletion.

Google will move the completed tasks to the trash, which you can still access on the old, original Google Tasks website if you accidentally just deleted a task that wasn’t quite as completed as you thought.

Give everything a due date

We’re all busy people, and so we’ve got a lot going on. Not everything has a hard and fast due date in life, but you should date every task in Google Tasks anyway. Dating a card will give you an extra reason to get it done before the date you set, but it also ensures that if you sort your tasks by due date, you don’t get a massive pile at the bottom of the list.

Another way to use the dating system is to date every task you make with today’s date, so that your tasks are listed in a “first in, first out” format when sorted by date, which can help you avoid letting older tasks be ignored for newer tasks near the top of the list. Unfortunately, cards can only get a day assigned to them, not a date and time like Google Keep’s task reminders.

Send feedback for the features Google Tasks still needs

Google Tasks is a no-frills to-do app, so there are plenty of features that it could still use, such as the priority levels we mentioned before or Google Assistant integration. This is still a very new app, as far as Google apps go, so not only is feedback appreciated — it is encouraged. Here’s how to give feedback in Google Tasks:

Tap the three-line menu icon in the bottom left corner of the screen.
Tap Send feedback.
Type your feedback into the Write your feedback text box. If you don’t want screenshots or logs from your device to be sent with the feedback, uncheck Include screenshot and logs.

Hit Send in the top right corner.

Feedback will be sent to the Google team that is responsible for Google Tasks and then filed or responded to accordingly. As you use Google Tasks more, you’ll likely have more feedback to give, so give Google your opinion of its app early and often if you want to see changes.

Your turn

What tricks have you developed make Google Tasks work for you? Are you rocking a plethora of categorized task lists, or do you keep everything together? Are you a sub-tasker, or do you prefer to put your lists in the description? Let us know in the comments.

App Store Developers Form a ‘Union’ Ahead of WWDC Calling for Free App Trials, Better Rates

A group of App Store developers calling themselves “The Developers Union” today published an open letter to Apple asking the company to commit to allowing free trials for apps and a “more reasonable revenue cut.”

The group says that it is first aiming to get Apple to implement free trials for all apps in the iOS and Mac App Stores by this July, with plans after that to advocate for other changes.

We believe that people who create great software should be able to make a living doing it. So we created The Developers Union to advocate for sustainability in the App Store.

Today, we are asking Apple to commit to allowing free trials for all apps in the App Stores by the tenth anniversary of the App Store this July. After that, we’ll start advocating for a more reasonable revenue cut and other community-driven, developer-friendly changes.

The initiative is led by Brent Simmons (MarsEdit, Vesper, and NetNewsWire creator), Jake Schumacher (App: The Human Story documentary maker), Loren Morris (product designer), and Roger Ogden (software designer).

The Developers Union is not a “trade union” in the traditional sense of the word, but it is aiming to bring developers and supporters together to advocate for App Store changes.

In an interview with WIRED, the team behind The Developers Union said the aim is to gain a thousand members this week and 20,000 by early June, when the Worldwide Developers Conference takes place.

“It’s a non-union union in a way,” Morris, the product designer, said when reached by phone. “I’m not super interested in creating a traditional union; I’m more interested in bringing the voice of indies back into the spotlight and this is a step in that direction.”

Free trials for apps in the Mac and iOS App Stores have been something that developers have wanted implemented for years. Right now, apps that offer subscriptions are able to provide customers with free trials before requiring payment, but for apps that do not have a subscription offering, there is no way for a free trial to be offered.

This is a major downside for apps that are on the more expensive side that people might not want to purchase without trying first, and it has been a major issue for Mac App Store developers in particular.

The Developers Union is hoping to persuade Apple to expand free trials to all apps, not just those that offer a subscription-based service. Free trials also must include an authorization for payment at the end of the trial, something developers would also like to see eliminated.

Revenue sharing, another topic the group hopes to broach with Apple, could be trickier than convincing the company to implement a free trial feature. Apple currently receives a 30 percent cut of all revenue developers earn from the App Store, and the App Store makes up a huge portion of its services business.

Apple has, however, made some tweaks to its revenue split in recent years. For subscription apps where a customer maintains a subscription for more than a year, developers are entitled to an 85/15 split, with Apple taking a 15 percent cut rather than a 30 percent cut.

The Developers Union has not yet outlined specific changes it would like to see to Apple’s revenue sharing scheme as the focus right now is on recruiting new members and pushing the free trial agenda.

At the current time, just over 60 apps and 50 people and are supporting The Developers Union, but more developers are likely to join as word spreads. Both developers and non-developers can sign up on the Developers Union website to support the initiative.

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