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The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

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Re: The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

#151

Post by RivieraKid »

BoysenberryPi wrote: post #116
RivieraKid wrote: post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because it makes apps more expensive.

If the apps become more expensive then people will stop buying them from the App Store and seeing people are not willing to pay for more expensive apps developers would probably stop developing for iOS which in the end would cause users to abandon the platform seeing as they cannot get the apps they need. If apps being more expensive is really the only problem then it seems like the problem fixes itself.

It clearly doesn't fix itself, because both Apple and Google are taking a 30% cut.

You're assuming efficient markets. The App Store is a monopoly, i.e. the opposite of an efficient market. (Well, it's more nuanced, all markets are somewhere between efficient and monopolistic.)

Re: The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

#152

Post by wayneftw »

coldtea wrote: post #52
skuthus wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He means the only store on the iOS platform, not the only app store between all platforms

iOS is an option among several, not the only game in town. Nobody forces anybody to buy iOS, and if they don't they don't need to use the iOS App Store either, problem solved...

Nobody forces you to buy a Ford or a Chevy either but both of those manufacturers have to follow very strict rules about how they make and sell cars.

If our country decides to make a rule about how smart phones should be created, sold or operated and Apple doesn’t like it, they can go and do business somewhere else.

Re: The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

#153

Post by matsemann »

CivilianZero wrote: post #143
matsemann wrote: post #127

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the article explained that reasonably well. One example is that they also make their own apps, so you potentially have to pay your competitor 30% of your income which is more than your own margins. And then they surface their own app and hide your's. Cannot compete against that.

I'm curious how often this has actually occurred in the App Store? I can't think of too many apps that Apple has released that have many competitors. Sure, there are the built in apps (which you can remove) but I certainly haven't seen any lack of To Do or weather apps on the App Store.

It's an issue for Spotify vs Apple Music for instance. Apple wants a cut of Spotify's fee, and also had APIs for Apple Watch etc only they themselves could use.

Re: The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

#154

Post by osrec »

threeseed wrote: post #144
osrec wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is not pro-consumer behaviour. This is pro-Apple behaviour. They enjoy the lock in + fees that the app store generates. They're even stifling web apps to maintain this monopoly. If they were so pro-consumer, why do they allow spyware such as Tiktok to exist on their platform at all?

Because if you consider TikTok to be spyware then you would need to also block Google, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn etc. Instead Apple had implemented the most stringent, pro-privacy features and polices on any platform bar none.

Sorry, what?!

Tiktok grabs your IMEI number, amongst numerous other things and sends them back to the mother ship.

Not saying that other platforms don't collect data, but Tiktok is known for being a whole other level spyware. If Apple was truly trying to protect consumers, there's no way it would allow it.

Re: The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

#155

Post by Apocryphon »

scarface74 wrote: post #149
MereInterest wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's my phone, and I can do whatever I want with it. If Apple doesn't like that, they can easily maintain ownership by not selling the device. I don't force Apple to sell iPhones instead of leaving them in a warehouse. Once I've bought it, it is mine. The entire idea that Apple can do whatever they want on a device that they have already sold is ludicrous.

And Apple didn’t force you to buy the phone....

Neither did AT&T.

Re: The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

#156

Post by inopinatus »

moralsupply wrote: post #7

The article states that Apple is extorting users. Is Apple forcing anybody to use their services?

Yes. Apple's rules oblige app vendors to not advertise or link to any external method of signing up for a service.

So, not only can you can only use Apple's payment methods, but you have to lie (by omission) to consumers about their options.

This is the market distortion of the App Store.

Re: The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

#157

Post by pier25 »

spullara wrote: post #9

As a consumer, I am 100% in favor of the way run the app store. I don't want to give random apps my credit card. I don't want to have 18 accounts to keep track of. I don't want to have to call telephone support to cancel my account. I don't want malware in my apps. I don't want apps to have my email if they don't need it. I don't need another middleman for content companies license and distribute. Everything Apple is…

That's not really the issue. If Apple allowed more stores in iOS you could decide to keep using Apple's store much like you do in the Mac world.

Re: The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

#158

Post by scarface74 »

mathieuh wrote: post #65
behnamoh wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's their product and they can do whatever they want with it. If anyone doesn't like that, they can easily not purchase iDevices. Apple doesn't force people to buy their products.

Microsoft didn't force people to buy Windows, "all" they did was install IE by default and they got done for that. Precedent disagrees with you.

Microsoft had 90%+ marketshare in PCs. Apple has less than 15%.

How did that whole government intervention thing work out with respect to Microsoft? 20 years later they still have the same dominance in operating systems and productivity apps. No one cares about browser dominance except for Google.

Re: The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

#159

Post by spullara »

mathieuh wrote: post #65
behnamoh wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's their product and they can do whatever they want with it. If anyone doesn't like that, they can easily not purchase iDevices. Apple doesn't force people to buy their products.

Microsoft didn't force people to buy Windows, "all" they did was install IE by default and they got done for that. Precedent disagrees with you.

That actually had a dominant market position on desktop/laptops and still do. Apple does not have a dominant market position in laptops, desktops or mobile phones.

Re: The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

#160

Post by threeseed »

errantspark wrote: post #27
Apocryphon wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

By not allowing alternate app stores, yes.

What if I just don't write apps for or use apple devices?

Then don't. Trust me nobody will care.

Because only the worst developers believe they are more important than the consumer.

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