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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

#491

Epic Games has filed a lawsuit [1] and published a Fortnite-themed parody of Apple's "1984" [2] to get some publicity for it. [1] https://cdn2.unrealengine.com/apple-complaint-734589783.pdf [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euiSHuaw6Q4

A PR stunt from Epic and everyone's falling for it.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#492
I have been and iOS developer for many years and my main problem with Apple is that it treats small and big developers very differently. Their policies are not applied to all, just like with Google.

But as far as I understand Apple is not a monopoly. So why should they allow users to install app from any source if they made their OS specifically in a way that doesn't allow it? It is a product feature.

And pricing policy - sure I'd love do get 10% cut of 30%. But again, they made a product and allow you do develop apps just take a cut. A big cut? Sure. But shouldn't it be their right to price their products as they see fit as long as they don't have a monopoly?

I am thinking that if I start a company, why should the court force my price policy or tell me what features to implement (obviously as long as they don't harm users, break laws etc) if a consumer has many alternatives?

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#493

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple has 49-65% of the phone+tablet market in the USA. People keep forgetting it's irrelevant if Android is more popular the world over. Countries only bring anti-monopoly decisions based on their country's market, not the world market. Further, the market for "smartphones" is not Apple vs Google. It's Apple vs Samsung vs Motorola vs LG vs Sony. Those are smartphone makers. At the 50%+ marketshare, Apple has more th…

> Apple has more than double the market share of it's next biggest competitor Source? The sources I’ve seen has Samsung much closer to Apple than that (30-35% vs 40-45%).

It’s for the US only. Would be surprising for Apple to only have 40% in the US.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#494
post #491

Epic Games has filed a lawsuit [1] and published a Fortnite-themed parody of Apple's "1984" [2] to get some publicity for it. [1] https://cdn2.unrealengine.com/apple-complaint-734589783.pdf [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euiSHuaw6Q4

A PR stunt from Epic and everyone's falling for it.

Just thought this and came here to say the same. Well done then Epic.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#495
post #491

Epic Games has filed a lawsuit [1] and published a Fortnite-themed parody of Apple's "1984" [2] to get some publicity for it. [1] https://cdn2.unrealengine.com/apple-complaint-734589783.pdf [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euiSHuaw6Q4

A PR stunt from Epic and everyone's falling for it.

My favourite is trying to spin two billion dollar companies fighting over percentages as some “big brother” battle. I don’t remember this part of 1984.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#496

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A big part of the value of iPhones and iPads is that you don't have to worry about installing an app that screws up your system and requires a wipe & reinstall. You don't have to worry about viruses. You don't have to worry about spending a lot of time being a system administrator, and just use it. You don't even have to worry about many types of malware, because the system protects you from poorly-behaved applicatio…

How would the ability to sideload apps force you to install apps outside of the Apple store? I'm not forced to use FDroid just because I have an Android phone. People aren't arguing that the app store should go away, just that consumers should have a choice. As an analogy, if I want OEM care for my car, I can get that. It's more expensive, but it offers me strict guarantees about where parts are coming from, and I do…

Just look at the PC platform Epic is coming from. It used to be just buying retail boxes, then Steam came along. Now it's Steam, Epic, Origin, Uplay. Personally, I hate keeping track of the separate apps and which games were purchased with each. So I avoid most of them even for games I want to play. Its one of the things that makes me prefer consoles.

The current situation seems more anti-business than anti-consumer (it is both). Pro-consumer would be requiring any purchase be decoupled from that distribution platform.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#497

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Epic stated that they want to create their own separate app store outside of apple, but are unable to because apple does not allow sideloading. So no, Epic doesn't want to run on Big Brother's platform.

> Epic stated that they want to create their own separate app store outside of apple, but are unable to because apple does not allow sideloading. That argument would ring less hollow had they done that on the platform that does allow side loading, but they eventually published on the Google Play store.

They do also still allow sideloading on android. Which was actually what their update did on Apple too (you can buy things via apple pay, or directly from us for less money)

Actually they just got banned on android as well, so now they only allow sideloading on android.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#498

You could argue about Apple's rights, or citizens' free speech rights, or consumer rights, under existing law. It would be an interesting discussion because I think it's a lot more complicated an issue that most people appreciate. But really why not talk about how we think things should work on platforms like iOS? What should the law be? What protects essential human rights, encourages creativity, and allows business…

A big part of the value of iPhones and iPads is that you don't have to worry about installing an app that screws up your system and requires a wipe & reinstall. You don't have to worry about viruses. You don't have to worry about spending a lot of time being a system administrator, and just use it. You don't even have to worry about many types of malware, because the system protects you from poorly-behaved applicatio…

I'm using Windows, OS X and Linux for 30+ years, didn't have a virus or a malware or anything else.

The last time I had a virus was on my Amiga which I got at a copy party in the Netherlands.

I think it is perfectly fine that you want the security from the Apple store and pay 30% on top for this, but why should I pay those 30%? It's not some kind of insurance that works better the more people take it.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#500

The problem here is Apples user market capture. Through iOS devices Apple has created a market of users they are the very protective gatekeeper for. Windows PC user market. Not locked down. Though MS has a store you have Steam, EGS, GOG, Origin, UBS etc for games alone. Let alone productivity apps. Android market. Not locked down. Though google play store is the gorilla other stores exist. I like F-Droid. EPICS Unrea…

Having to launch games from 5 different shitty desktop programs is terrible for the user.

This is true. I installed two stores for games. Only one autoloads.

And I have a few programs I have bought entirely outside these stores.

This suits me.

And that is the main complaint for a lot of people. The option for users to suit themselves. We can vote with the wallet and go non-apple. But we're allowed to express desires and wishes too.

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