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Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

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Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#431
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.

Beyond the obvious difference that Microsoft has a monopoly marketshare on PCs, and Apple has a minority marketshare of mobile devices, mobile devices are categorically different because they are always with you. This generates a whole different slew of concerns around privacy and apps being able to access your information with or without your consent.

By maintaining control over which apps can be sold to end users via the App Store, Apple is able to offer a layer of control over how these apps can access (or not) your personal data.

There's nothing ridiculous about wanting to maintain data privacy/security on mobile devices, and that being of a higher priority with mobile than with a PC.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#433
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.

But to fight the wrong fake news this is what they are going to have to do.

Then it becomes what they think is real and fake. There is no "true" standard for what is real and fake.

Yes, I know some things seem "obvious" but it's a sliding scale per person... and, well that's the slippery slope.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#434
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.

So you're proposing diverting the conversation to a theoretical that has little chance of happening but not discussing the actual example that's happening right now? App Stores suck. App Stores with no side-loading are even worse. Platforms that are locked down so much that you can't even install your own OS are worse. We used to bitch about Tivoization on HN all the time, it seems post iPhone, everyone seems A-OK.

> We used to bitch about Tivoization on HN all the time, it seems post iPhone, everyone seems A-OK.

People were not making money by being shareholders, that's why.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#435
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.

Fuck AMP. The fact that there is no way to turn it off is one of the main reasons I don't use Google on my phone. DDG often has slightly poorer results, but I often find answers to my questions in Reddit threads and Reddit has a horrible mobile experience. Between AMP and them throwing 15 different popups at me to get their app (why would I want their single tab app?!?!), it's borderline unusable.

http://old.reddit.com

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#436
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.

Beyond the obvious difference that Microsoft has a monopoly marketshare on PCs, and Apple has a minority marketshare of mobile devices, mobile devices are categorically different because they are always with you. This generates a whole different slew of concerns around privacy and apps being able to access your information with or without your consent. By maintaining control over which apps can be sold to end users v…

That is the same argument that could have been applied to any one of the controversial tech monopoly issue before

Wouldn’t MS want to secure its laptops by bundling a browser?

Wouldn’t I have equally private and financial documents on a PC? location/gps can’t be that much of a differentiator.

It is monopoly bullying whoever they can. They just happen to not directly affect us, unless we happen to be a developer making lot of money or compete with apple in any way.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#437

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This misrepresents and skips over Apple’s great offence, which is why a bunch of others who don’t know the half of it are piping up with their comparisons to the PlayStation store etc. The most egregious part of Apple’s rules, and the reason that online service providers have a special loathing, is that apps are disallowed from linking to, advertising, or even mentioning that it is possible to sign up/subscribe/buy/r…

10 years from now people will think it was crazy that you couldn't publish a totally legit app just because you had a payment button on the app. It would be one thing for APPL to charge a low fee for listing an app to cover their costs of hosting and review, but this is 100% about squeezing everyone, because they can

hosting & review are just the beginning. They also maintain substantial support around the App Store. So their costs will scale with number of downloads, usage, purchases, etc, which is why their fee scales with it too.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#439
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.

Epic does charge a percentage of sales for use of the unreal engine....

Plus if your game is sold in their store you have to play a percentage as well.
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