Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store • Hacker News Board

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#71

Post by sebmellen » Thu, Aug 13, 2020, 8:47 PM UTC

ultrarunner wrote: post #40

Seirdy wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It could be the case if AMP grows dominant; given the market share of Google Search, it could be enough to create a controlled (er, "curated") web in a similar spirit.

We're closer than we have been in a long time to something like Google deciding to license Blink or Chromium. There are some good reasons that couldn't happen (yet), but what a world that would be.

I can't picture this happening due to the sheer size of the Electron ecosystem. Do you think there's any precedent for this?

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#72

Post by atarian » Thu, Aug 13, 2020, 8:47 PM UTC

If Apple allowed other payment methods, that would incentivize developers not to go through Apple at all. Even paid apps would switch over to an unlock model in order to avoid the 30% cut.

So I think it's very unlikely that Apple will allow other payment options. It's more likely for their 30% to go down, but even that's questionable.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#73

Post by dessant » Thu, Aug 13, 2020, 8:48 PM UTC

Findeton wrote: post #13

I don't think this should be regulated at all. Apple should be able to impose their rules in their systems. Let's be clear about this, if people are choosing to buy these black-box closed handheld computing devices, there are consequences that come with that choice.

People often accept restrictions on their freedom, but that does not mean those limitations aren't harmful.

We should be able to install what we want on a general purpose computing device. You can already see the Apple mentality creeping into other companies like Mozilla, who suddenly find it acceptable to limit user freedom for questionable reasons, and the normalization of stripped user liberties that Apple champions is worrying.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#74

Post by rokobobo » Thu, Aug 13, 2020, 8:48 PM UTC

swiley wrote: post #42

Findeton wrote: post #13

I don't think this should be regulated at all. Apple should be able to impose their rules in their systems. Let's be clear about this, if people are choosing to buy these black-box closed handheld computing devices, there are consequences that come with that choice.

Apple is more than welcome to put whatever rules they want on their systems. My phone is not their system though, it’s mine! If I want to run tmux/fetchmail/ocamlc on it then it’s my problem not theirs!

I am not defending closed platforms, but technically, you are free to jailbreak your phone, they're just not obligated to provide any support after that, right?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS_jailbreaking#Legality

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#75

Post by nappy » Thu, Aug 13, 2020, 8:48 PM UTC

ClumsyPilot wrote: post #36

eggbrain wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I mean, couldn't we just replace Microsoft->Sony and PC->Playstation and the argument falls apart a bit? > Imagine if Sony did this on Playstation. a) prohibiting the installation of non-PlayStation games and b) insisting that all purchases done via their store give them a 30% cut. Many platforms are like this -- and many also have the majority marketshare. Is this a call to redefine what platforms can and cannot con…

There is a distinction between a general purpose computing device and a gaming console. I depend on my computer for important aspects of my life, not just entertainment. I perceive capricious behaviour like this ad a threat to my liberty and well-being.

I agree with this sentiment... But I wonder if Apple considers iPhones to be general purpose computing devices, or even wants them to be. They're not marketed that way, likely most users are uninterested in using an iPhone this way.

A separate concern is around anticompetitive behavior. There is no way to sideload an app, or even use a competing app store, and Apple is charging rent. This is pretty clearly anticompetitive behavior that harms consumers.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#76

Post by m0xte » Thu, Aug 13, 2020, 8:49 PM UTC

lordleft wrote: post #6

Imagine if Microsoft did this on PCs. a) prohibiting the installation of non-windows store software (sideloading) and b) insisting that all purchases done via apps give them a 30% cut. I think this is a ridiculous practice on the behalf of Apple.

They would if they could get away with it. Look at telemetry and the general disrespect for users’ privacy preferences.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#77

Post by AcerbicZero » Thu, Aug 13, 2020, 8:49 PM UTC

Interesting how quickly this gained traction today, and how some of the initial reports came from sites with direct ties to Tencent subsidiaries.

Oh, Tencent has a large stake in Epic? Who knew.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#78

Post by javert » Thu, Aug 13, 2020, 8:49 PM UTC

ProAm wrote: post #41

Findeton wrote: post #13

I don't think this should be regulated at all. Apple should be able to impose their rules in their systems. Let's be clear about this, if people are choosing to buy these black-box closed handheld computing devices, there are consequences that come with that choice.

Who's device is it? Apple's or the customer that paid for it in full?

Apple's, basically. That's OK. Let Apple screw people. It's a good opportunity for competition to develop. Or we can regulate Apple and competition won't develop.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#79

Post by brnt » Thu, Aug 13, 2020, 8:50 PM UTC

immigrantsheep wrote: post #52

recklesstodd wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Valve is anticipating such move in a near future and investing in gaming on Linux.

AFAIK Valve already tried the whole Linux as a gaming platform thing and gave up completely a few months ago.

Where did you get this silly idea? Linux gaming has never been stronger than now, thanks to Steam's Proton.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#80

Post by tambourine_man » Thu, Aug 13, 2020, 8:51 PM UTC

eggbrain wrote: post #29

lordleft wrote: post #6

Imagine if Microsoft did this on PCs. a) prohibiting the installation of non-windows store software (sideloading) and b) insisting that all purchases done via apps give them a 30% cut. I think this is a ridiculous practice on the behalf of Apple.

I mean, couldn't we just replace Microsoft->Sony and PC->Playstation and the argument falls apart a bit? > Imagine if Sony did this on Playstation. a) prohibiting the installation of non-PlayStation games and b) insisting that all purchases done via their store give them a 30% cut. Many platforms are like this -- and many also have the majority marketshare. Is this a call to redefine what platforms can and cannot con…

We have to either acknowledge that PCs/Macs were a historical accident (a happy one, IMO), much like the open web of yore, or we have to legislate the shit out of everything that has a general purpose CPU, basically requiring every Turing machine sold to have an officially supported setting to enable running arbitrary code.

It can be off by default, and probably should.

But trying to hair split console from computer from cellphone makes less and less sense everyday and we all know it.