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Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

theverge.com

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Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#21

Post by _bxg1 »

dombili wrote: post #4

I don't want to pass judgment on whether Google (or in the previous case, Facebook) was in the wrong, but it doesn't sit well with me that Apple wields so much power on what software their phones can run after it sells them. You may very well think that they're using their power sparingly and benevolently, but who is to say that will be the case next time around?

I used to feel that way, and I used Android for years for that reason. But since switching to an iPhone, I've found that what I really want from my phone is not a totally open platform, but a tool that's simple, secure, and effective. Something I don't have to mess with, something I can trust to do its job and respect my privacy and be pleasant to interact with. They tried going that direction a bit with macOS when they launched its App Store, and there's a reason that pretty much failed. Workstations need to be totally user-controlled, but phones don't.

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#22

Post by torben-friis »

dombili wrote: post #4

I don't want to pass judgment on whether Google (or in the previous case, Facebook) was in the wrong, but it doesn't sit well with me that Apple wields so much power on what software their phones can run after it sells them. You may very well think that they're using their power sparingly and benevolently, but who is to say that will be the case next time around?

Honestly, as bad as the situation is (having to choose between several profit-focused tech giants) I'm glad that at least one of the players is not dependent on data collection as their way of survival. If I have to side with one of them it's going to be apple.

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#23

Post by sandov »

JumpCrisscross wrote: post #9
dombili wrote: post #4

I don't want to pass judgment on whether Google (or in the previous case, Facebook) was in the wrong, but it doesn't sit well with me that Apple wields so much power on what software their phones can run after it sells them. You may very well think that they're using their power sparingly and benevolently, but who is to say that will be the case next time around?

> it doesn't sit well with me that Apple yields so much power on what software their phones can run after it sells them At the end of the day, you can compile and run anything on your machine. This is just regulating distribution. Given the specific breaches at hand by Facebook and Google, a balance seems to have been found (acceptable to most users) between freedom and security.

Can you install rogue apps (i.e. not from apple's store) without jailbreaking the device?

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#24

Post by zepto »

pbalau wrote: post #20
sotojuan wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the case of Facebook, there's no judgement or moral side to take. They broke the rules Apple set when allowing Facebook to be in the App Store and use internal enterprise certificates. Objectively, Apple's behavior was fair.

Did they? Please think of this: is there a minimum age for internships?

Are you suggesting there was a child labor law violation as well as a breach of contract?

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#25

Post by nickbee »

JumpCrisscross wrote: post #9
dombili wrote: post #4

I don't want to pass judgment on whether Google (or in the previous case, Facebook) was in the wrong, but it doesn't sit well with me that Apple wields so much power on what software their phones can run after it sells them. You may very well think that they're using their power sparingly and benevolently, but who is to say that will be the case next time around?

> it doesn't sit well with me that Apple yields so much power on what software their phones can run after it sells them At the end of the day, you can compile and run anything on your machine. This is just regulating distribution. Given the specific breaches at hand by Facebook and Google, a balance seems to have been found (acceptable to most users) between freedom and security.

At the end of the day, you can compile and run anything on your machine.

Not really. You have to pay the ransom^W^W$100 for a developer account every year.

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#26

Post by cptskippy »

dombili wrote: post #4

I don't want to pass judgment on whether Google (or in the previous case, Facebook) was in the wrong, but it doesn't sit well with me that Apple wields so much power on what software their phones can run after it sells them. You may very well think that they're using their power sparingly and benevolently, but who is to say that will be the case next time around?

With Apple's devices, and to a lesser extent Google's, there isn't a software distribution channel apart from the one sanctioned from up high.

That being said, the official channels are sanctioned and sponsored by Apple (or Google) and so it is their reputation on the line when it comes to malicious or questionable Apps.

So I can completely understand Apple (or Google) removing certs or banning companies for violating the terms of their platform.

And I think this exertion of power might be a bad thing as it demonstrates that users do not really own their devices and are only allowed to do with them what Apple (or Google) permits.

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#28

Post by Nullabillity »

JumpCrisscross wrote: post #9
dombili wrote: post #4

I don't want to pass judgment on whether Google (or in the previous case, Facebook) was in the wrong, but it doesn't sit well with me that Apple wields so much power on what software their phones can run after it sells them. You may very well think that they're using their power sparingly and benevolently, but who is to say that will be the case next time around?

> it doesn't sit well with me that Apple yields so much power on what software their phones can run after it sells them At the end of the day, you can compile and run anything on your machine. This is just regulating distribution. Given the specific breaches at hand by Facebook and Google, a balance seems to have been found (acceptable to most users) between freedom and security.

> At the end of the day, you can compile and run anything on your machine.

Iff you have a Mac. And even then, you need to recompile it every week.

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#29

Post by simonh »

dombili wrote: post #4

I don't want to pass judgment on whether Google (or in the previous case, Facebook) was in the wrong, but it doesn't sit well with me that Apple wields so much power on what software their phones can run after it sells them. You may very well think that they're using their power sparingly and benevolently, but who is to say that will be the case next time around?

There is nothing new about this model, of selling a device with optional software bought later from the vendor. It’s how games consoles have worked, from the Atari 2600 to the Nintendo Switch, even cars work this way with optional after market ‘performance packs’ that are just software tweaks. VTech used sell toys like mini laptops for children, with little software ‘disks’ you could buy with educational games on them.

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#30

Post by smitty1110 »

minimaxir wrote: post #2

I called it last thread ( https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19038328 ), but I'm legit impressed Apple went through with it. This might open the floodgates for Apple to shut down even more certs.

More than that, I think this will result in Apple being a bit less laissez faire about what companies do with their certificates. I think they may even look to change the system, maybe make it so that enterprise certificates have to register the devices they are installed on.
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