Live data from Hacker News

Apple removes ‘Fakespot’ app from iOS App Store following Amazon request

9to5mac.com

111–120 of 124 posts

Re: Apple removes ‘Fakespot’ app from iOS App Store following Amazon request

#111
post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

you can leave the phone ecosystem the same way you can leave society at will.

That's overly-dramatic. It's not that difficult to leave the iOS ecosystem. There's adequate tools for exporting data for emails+contact. If you want to move to Android, you'll have to buy a new device and spend maybe $100 on apps, but most services support both platforms. Yes it'll suck to lose that one "killer app", but there's likely alternatives that are almost as good. Changing ecosystems is always a viable opti…

It's hard even for the HN audience.

How much more for the everyday person?

Re: Apple removes ‘Fakespot’ app from iOS App Store following Amazon request

#112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's overly-dramatic. It's not that difficult to leave the iOS ecosystem. There's adequate tools for exporting data for emails+contact. If you want to move to Android, you'll have to buy a new device and spend maybe $100 on apps, but most services support both platforms. Yes it'll suck to lose that one "killer app", but there's likely alternatives that are almost as good. Changing ecosystems is always a viable opti…

It's hard even for the HN audience. How much more for the everyday person?

I'd wager it's harder for the HN audience. They'd have many more services they need to update account info with, or apps they'll need to find parallels for.

Most regular users use a small number of services (Facebook, reddit, whatever) and that will be available across both platforms.

Something like exporting email from one account to another will be more difficult for the regular user, but there's many guides available online. Or more realistically, a nephew to do it for them.

Re: Apple removes ‘Fakespot’ app from iOS App Store following Amazon request

#113

Why is everyone here just blaming Amazon? Of course they're going to ask Apple to do this. It's in their own self-interest. The more interesting questions is, why is Apple complying? Are they afraid that Amazon will retaliate by pulling their apps out of the App Store? If so, are they really just going to keep prioritizing big tech connections in favor of it's own customers? The rule cited is so vague that even a bas…

You have a multi billion monster on one side and a teeny tiny app on the other side.

I don’t think Apple is afraid of Amazon or anyone else. It just makes sense to side with a fellow Goliath than with some unknown app. There is no upside in siding with fakespot. It is highly unethical, but otherwise it is just business as usual

Re: Apple removes ‘Fakespot’ app from iOS App Store following Amazon request

#114

That's kinda outrageous. I know this is unrelated to reviews, but I got a product shipped by and from Amazon 2 weeks ago that was missing its original box but instead was in an unmarked box that still had a shipping label addressed to Amazon returns on it. Amazon gives so few shits about product quality it's baffling

But you're going to buy from them again soon, aren't you?

Re: Apple removes ‘Fakespot’ app from iOS App Store following Amazon request

#115

That's kinda outrageous. I know this is unrelated to reviews, but I got a product shipped by and from Amazon 2 weeks ago that was missing its original box but instead was in an unmarked box that still had a shipping label addressed to Amazon returns on it. Amazon gives so few shits about product quality it's baffling

But you're going to buy from them again soon, aren't you?

Increasingly the answer is no.

Still though they have the best selection on certain things and a generous return policy.

Re: Apple removes ‘Fakespot’ app from iOS App Store following Amazon request

#117
post #93
post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google Play has the same rule about accessing third party APIs and actually had it before Apple (I know because I’m perma banned from Google Play Development for violating this rule with an app I did)

Oh my, it is good they don't know one of mine apps does, so it is not banned still after almost 10 years in Android Store.

I think they only care if it's the API for a popular app or the API owner has complained. I know they will flag for IG and Snapchat private APIs.

Re: Apple removes ‘Fakespot’ app from iOS App Store following Amazon request

#118

This is so depressing. Fakespot is an amazing app, I never buy anything off of Amazon without using it. Actions like this caused me to trust Amazon significantly less.

I've posted a similar comment before, but on what basis do you trust fakespot? If they were being paid to promote or even outright manipulate the analysis how would we know? Or how would they be immune to the same review manipulation by sellers that Amazon is prone to? Why do you think we don't need a fakespot for fakespot too?

Fakespot shows reviews it thinks are dubious and you can take a look and decide if it's right. Some are pretty blatant.

Re: Apple removes ‘Fakespot’ app from iOS App Store following Amazon request

#120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's hard even for the HN audience. How much more for the everyday person?

I'd wager it's harder for the HN audience. They'd have many more services they need to update account info with, or apps they'll need to find parallels for. Most regular users use a small number of services (Facebook, reddit, whatever) and that will be available across both platforms. Something like exporting email from one account to another will be more difficult for the regular user, but there's many guides availa…

In fact I’d wager that a substantial number of regular people would move between iPhone and android without ever realising that they were convenience benefits in sticking with the same platform, other than basic familiarity with a particular user interface.

Similarly, I’m sure there are plenty of people who continue going to a McDonald’s drive-thru instead of a competitors’ because they are comfortable with and familiar with the menu. Yeah no one would accuse McDonald of having any amount of “platform” lock in.

Post reply on HN