Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps • Hacker News Board

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#31

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Jan 31, 2019, 9:40 PM UTC

sandov wrote: post #23

JumpCrisscross wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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?

[deleted]

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#32

Post by hmottestad » Thu, Jan 31, 2019, 9:41 PM UTC

Skunkleton wrote: post #16

JumpCrisscross wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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.

That is true only in the most technical of senses. Practically, Apple has near complete control over what is allowed to execute on an iOS device.

It's pretty true. Unless you manage to jailbreak your phone the only way to get it to run code (except for javascript) is by having, at some point up the chain, a certificate that's signed by Apple.

It's free to get one though, but it only lasts for a week or so. You can pay to become a developer and I think you get one that lasts a year instead.

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#33

Post by ryukafalz » Thu, Jan 31, 2019, 9:41 PM UTC

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.

If you also happen to have a Mac to run XCode, sure. I don’t believe there’s a way to compile and load iOS apps from any other platform? (And you certainly can’t do it from the device itself.)

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#34

Post by stevenjohns » Thu, Jan 31, 2019, 9:41 PM UTC

elicash wrote: post #12

blueboo wrote: post #7

Positive PR hit for Apple vs minor inconvenience for competitor/client...easy decision by Apple.

Unless Google takes action against Apple.

What’s Google going to do though? Drop Gmail on iOS?

I can’t see Google coming out of anything like that unscathed. Best case they lose customers, worst case they get an anti-trust case thrown at them.

Unless there is something else that Google can do that will work in their favor that I’m missing.

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#35

Post by berbec » Thu, Jan 31, 2019, 9:41 PM UTC

zozbot123 wrote: post #18

Rumor has it that Google's subsequent requests for clarification to Apple have gone entirely unanswered, save for automated messages stating that Apple's decision on this matter should be regarded as "final" and "binding", and that no further statement from Apple should be expected.

Maybe Google and Apple's "decision is final" bots can work it out between them.

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#36

Post by wlesieutre » Thu, Jan 31, 2019, 9:41 PM UTC

nickbee wrote: post #25

JumpCrisscross wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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.

You can run stuff without it, but the builds expire after 7 days so it's a nuisance in practice.

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#37

Post by rising-sky » Thu, Jan 31, 2019, 9:42 PM UTC

_bxg1 wrote: post #3

I feel less vengeful satisfaction from this one, but I respect that they're applying their rules consistently. I just hope it doesn't backfire. On a totally personal level, I'd rather Facebook feel the hurt for its audacity than Apple be forced to backtrack because they made too many enemies.

Similar concerns. I think this might, in the long term, be detrimental to Apple if companies begin to revolt against their overarching, seemingly totalitarian power regardless of if the intent is noble.

As mentioned in a separate Verge article-

"One giant platform declared another giant platform’s market research program inappropriate, then disappeared it with a Thanos-style finger snap"

also from same article, attributed to Nilay Patel

"Hi, I’m the nagging voice in the back of your head pointing out that it’s pretty intense that Apple can simply decide to prevent people from running code on their phones."

Edited for punctuation

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#38

Post by dewey » Thu, Jan 31, 2019, 9:43 PM UTC

rising-sky wrote: post #37

_bxg1 wrote: post #3

I feel less vengeful satisfaction from this one, but I respect that they're applying their rules consistently. I just hope it doesn't backfire. On a totally personal level, I'd rather Facebook feel the hurt for its audacity than Apple be forced to backtrack because they made too many enemies.

Similar concerns. I think this might, in the long term, be detrimental to Apple if companies begin to revolt against their overarching, seemingly totalitarian power regardless of if the intent is noble. As mentioned in a separate Verge article- "One giant platform declared another giant platform’s market research program inappropriate, then disappeared it with a Thanos-style finger snap" also from same article, attri…

Don’t quote text with code blocks please, it’s unreadable on mobile.

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#39

Post by rootusrootus » Thu, Jan 31, 2019, 9:43 PM UTC

Skunkleton wrote: post #16

JumpCrisscross wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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.

That is true only in the most technical of senses. Practically, Apple has near complete control over what is allowed to execute on an iOS device.

Excluding technical users, Google Play Services is the same. And their grip only tightens over time.

Re: Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps

#40

Post by darkpuma » Thu, Jan 31, 2019, 9:43 PM UTC

zozbot123 wrote: post #18

Rumor has it that Google's subsequent requests for clarification to Apple have gone entirely unanswered, save for automated messages stating that Apple's decision on this matter should be regarded as "final" and "binding", and that no further statement from Apple should be expected.

If that's true, it's feels pretty satisfying to hear that Google is on the receiving end of terrible customer service for once.