The press release begins by referring to "publishers of content-based apps", and uses "publishers" throughout. I think it is pretty clear that they are not talking about SaaS.
The article also fails to understand that it is not taking cut of revenue from existing subscribers: only those that sign up through an iOS application.
I'm inclined to believe you as it regards Apple's policies as of today. As regards the future policies about non-content SaaS apps, suffice it to say that there is non-zero informational value in this announcement.
What would a "content-free" app look like? Aren't all apps, by definition, based on content?
I'm not meaning to be cute or trite -- I'm genuinely confused from the press release which category of apps will fall under these new rules. Which is why we'll need to wait for the legalese in the iOS developer terms to understand what this _really_ means.
Here is "content" being used to mean "everything that's in an app":
"The Application Provider of each Third-Party Product is solely responsible for that Third-Party Product, the content therein, any warranties to the extent that such warranties have not been disclaimed, and any claims that you or any other party may have relating to that Third-Party Product."
And here is the section on subscriptions, in which content is, in my opinion, not well defined:
"Certain App Store Products may include functionality that enables you to purchase content on a subscription basis (“Paid Subscriptions”)."
I just scanned all 72 mentions of the word 'content' and couldn't find the definition you're alluding to.
And lo & behold, I give you Section 11.13: "Apps can read or play approved content (magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, video) that is sold outside of the app"... yadda, yadda.
The article also fails to understand that it is not taking cut of revenue from existing subscribers: only those that sign up through an iOS application.