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Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

deccanherald.com

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Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#53
While I personally dislike to see an App Store coming from the Modi government, I wonder if there's at least some virtue to the idea of publicly funded App Stores e.g. in the European Union.

Of course there's a risk of easier distribution of state-sponsored Malware and censorship - somewhat similar to state-level DPI - but there could be an advantage in enforcing local laws.

As it stands, software distribution to european mobile clients seems to be restricted by:

  * U.S. laws and regulations
  * Policies by Google or Apple
  * European laws and regulations
Independent App Stores could probably help with at least the first, if not the second point one as well. At least from a governments perspective.

For Free Software Users, https://f-droid.org/en/ is course preferable. Seems to be registered in the UK according to https://f-droid.org/en/about/

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#54
post #47

It will be a special kind of joy for small developers to publish their apps on a billion stores each with its own regulations.

... or they could just create a PWA and publish it on the free and open web and have the app be available globally in 40s w/o any regulations or artificial restrictions.

Except the ability to send push notifications, which is paramount to retention and revenue

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#56
I welcome this.

It will be messy, it will open oportunities to corruption, lobbying, crappy user experiences, unsafe apps, government abuse, nationalism, ... it is really a Pandora box.

But mess can be a fertile ground for competition and innovation when excessive regulation blocks it.

Today's app stores are just feature development labs for Apple & Google. There is no chance that anyone will be able to create a big business within any app store and keep Apple or Google out. Just ask big players as Steam, Facebook and Microsoft how they feel about Google's and Apple's stores.

If you're in the apps development business then you're just looking for golden opportunities for Apple/Google and being very badly payed for that.

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#57

It will be a special kind of joy for small developers to publish their apps on a billion stores each with its own regulations.

You mean that us, developers, will have to choose the right fit between multiple options, in a competitive ecosystem?

That’s exactly what I want!

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#58

India wants more Apple manufacturing and Apple wants to sell India more phones. My guess is this won't happen.

Right. India is the obvious destination for Apple if/when they decide to get out of their reliance on China.

Is it? Indian and Chinese culture is very different. Apple benefits greatly from China's unquenchable thirst for luxury goods in general, not just phones but clothing, cars, etc. Signalling wealth through conspicuous consumption is important in China. I don't see that same characteristic in Indian culture; of course there is a market for luxury goods but it's not the same.

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#59
post #53

While I personally dislike to see an App Store coming from the Modi government, I wonder if there's at least some virtue to the idea of publicly funded App Stores e.g. in the European Union. Of course there's a risk of easier distribution of state-sponsored Malware and censorship - somewhat similar to state-level DPI - but there could be an advantage in enforcing local laws. As it stands, software distribution to eur…

F-Droid previously banned Gab for being a “free speech zone” that will “tolerate all opinions”

https://reclaimthenet.org/f-droid-bans-gab-app/

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#60
post #49

India has a following issue with Android ecosystem, almost everything not owned by Google, is owned by some Chinese co. GetJar - sold to Chinese PayTM - Chinese shareholder Flipcart - Chinese shareholder Zomato, swiggy, + 10+ others online delivery/logistics apps. Some used to be reskins of Chinese apps. Some only have Indian C-levels. 20 something messengers - all except FB, and Twiter are Chinese ... I believe they…

As far as I recall, Walmart bought Flipkart. I haven't seen it mentioned much in the business press related to Walmart after acquisition though.
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