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Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account

macrumors.com

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Re: Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account

#801

Post by weejewel »

alanfranz wrote: post #766

The one thing I don't understand about Apple's stance: why don't they let a device owner sideload things SAFELY on their own device? Something like the Apple Developer Account, but for free, and I get a certificate that works on a single device - my own - ONLY. I still need to understand software development, and probably to own a Mac just to sign things and to upload them to my phone. They could even provide somethi…

If I were Epic then, I’d make a button in the Epic Games Launcher which does this for the user.

Re: Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account

#802

Post by mrkramer »

xsmasher wrote: post #660
mrkramer wrote: post #222

Is there any other example in the industry where you can not install and use an application without approval of the operating system creator and maintainer?

Every game console.

Gaming consoles are not general-purpose computers they are specialized for gaming but good point.

I was looking for example of general-purpose computer being locked down by OS creator.

Re: Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account

#803

Post by ur-whale »

neuronic wrote: post #794
Aeolun wrote: post #561

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, I bought a $1000 device, but somehow Apple gets to decide what I run on it? I just cannot see how that is a desireable situation.

I am glad Apple is actually managing and moderating their store as opposed to the ocean of fraudulent crapware on Google Play and to an even more extreme extend the Windows Store... I have never had a single person complain about what they can't run on an iOS device. The apps that aren't availabe are either crapware or if they are useful they only matter to 0.00025% of users who can gladly go get an Android instead.

Freedom is indeed strong stuff and clearly not for everyone.

Re: Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account

#804

Post by alanfranz »

weejewel wrote: post #801
alanfranz wrote: post #766

The one thing I don't understand about Apple's stance: why don't they let a device owner sideload things SAFELY on their own device? Something like the Apple Developer Account, but for free, and I get a certificate that works on a single device - my own - ONLY. I still need to understand software development, and probably to own a Mac just to sign things and to upload them to my phone. They could even provide somethi…

If I were Epic then, I’d make a button in the Epic Games Launcher which does this for the user.

You would still need a Mac, then to register with Apple as a developer, then connect the iphone with a cable. For each update, you need to reupload manually. And for each game - you could not upload a store app - you would need to repeat the whole procedure.

Re: Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account

#805

Post by CogitoCogito »

neuronic wrote: post #794
Aeolun wrote: post #561

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, I bought a $1000 device, but somehow Apple gets to decide what I run on it? I just cannot see how that is a desireable situation.

I am glad Apple is actually managing and moderating their store as opposed to the ocean of fraudulent crapware on Google Play and to an even more extreme extend the Windows Store... I have never had a single person complain about what they can't run on an iOS device. The apps that aren't availabe are either crapware or if they are useful they only matter to 0.00025% of users who can gladly go get an Android instead.

> I have never had a single person complain about what they can't run on an iOS device.

I personally hate that I cannot reasonably run software _I_ write for _my_ phone without having/using an Apple developer account.

There now you've heard a complaint. I'm sure if you were to pay attention, you'd see this same complaint voiced quite often.

Re: Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account

#806

Post by nuker »

umvi wrote: post #253
scarface74 wrote: post #249

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Problem solved? You made a choice that was best for you using your own free will.

Yes, problem solved, though obviously I am wistful for a scenario where everyone wins.

Well, I win with current version of Apple store policies. Different people have different priorities.

Re: Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account

#807

Post by nodamage »

heavyset_go wrote: post #684
nodamage wrote: post #277

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am not sure why this fallacy continues to be repeated in every Apple thread. Apple currently has 46% US market share [1] and 14% global market share [2]. This is far from monopoly power. By contrast, Microsoft had 95% market share during their antitrust suit. [3] [1] https://www.counterpointresearch.com/us-market-smartphone-sh... [2] https://www.counterpointresearch.com/global-smartphone-share... [3] https://schola…

The real fallacy here is attempting to frame 'monopoly' by its dictionary definition, and not the definition used by the government[1]: > Courts do not require a literal monopoly before applying rules for single firm conduct; that term is used as shorthand for a firm with significant and durable market power — that is, the long term ability to raise price or exclude competitors. That is how that term is used here: a…

The definition you've linked does not really contradict my point considering it says that courts typically do not find monopoly power below 50% market share.

Re: Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account

#808

Post by gridlockd »

neuronic wrote: post #794
Aeolun wrote: post #561

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, I bought a $1000 device, but somehow Apple gets to decide what I run on it? I just cannot see how that is a desireable situation.

I am glad Apple is actually managing and moderating their store as opposed to the ocean of fraudulent crapware on Google Play and to an even more extreme extend the Windows Store... I have never had a single person complain about what they can't run on an iOS device. The apps that aren't availabe are either crapware or if they are useful they only matter to 0.00025% of users who can gladly go get an Android instead.

As a developer and iOS user, I strongly disagree with this. Due to these restriction, iOS devices are toys to me, not tools to use for work.

Yes, there's a lot of crap on the Play Store, but there's also a lot stuff that I don't like about Android that makes me not want to use it, much less gladly.

There is a lot of prohibitions in the iOS guidelines that serve no purpose but Apple's business interest, such as running a "platform" app that has other apps embedded. Of course, if you're WeChat, you get to ignore that rule.

To pass off all this as "security" or "curation" is just dishonest. There's a lot of crap on the App Store too, but that crap can't be as malicious because iOS has a better sandbox, not because Apple does the literally impossible task of scanning for hidden malicious behavior in its review process.

Of course users are not complaining about having no access to apps that were never developed in the first place, because 80% of the revenue is on iOS and going Android-only makes little sense.

Re: Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account

#809

Post by anticensor »

DivisionSol wrote: post #182
2OEH8eoCRo0 wrote: post #138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This would be like if there were one single store on the planet and if they don't want to sell your shit everyone just says, "That's their right, shouldn't have gotten into the business of selling things."

But there are 2 stores, and you make the choice of packaging for one or the other. You can also make your own store, if you want. (In this analogy, that is. You cannot make a store inside a store, that’d be silly.) Basically, you can still sell on Android, or, make your own phone/mobile operating system?

> a store inside a store

Shopping malls owned by supermarket companies do exactly that. A hypermarket in the centre, owned by the supermarket company itself, and hundreds of smaller stores around, operated by others in the same building.

Re: Apple Terminates Epic Games' Developer Account

#810

Post by anticensor »

linuxhansl wrote: post #103
robertoandred wrote: post #33

Good riddance. Epic is acting like spoiled brats.

Huh? I don't play any Epic games... But just because they refuse to pay a 30% fee? Apple is only the distributor here. If they would charge a reasonable processing fee (4-5% like credit card companies do) nobody would have had - presumably - a problem. Unlike with most (all?) other platforms there is no way to install apps from any alternate sources. 30% is the modern version of way-laying. (IMHO at least)

Yes, it is less like a commission and more like a sin tax for consumption or a non-deductible VAT.
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