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EU tells Apple to open everything up to its rivals

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Re: EU tells Apple to open everything up to its rivals

#61
post #24
post #16

Current iOS browser situation is quite a joke. Recently they added possibility for other browsers to "Add page to Home Screen". But this shortcut later opens in Safari...

Indeed, it will be so great when web developers can just force everyone to use chrome.

The inexplicable need to make the browser a second OS with worse everything boggles my mind. Especially on mobile devices which prize battery life.

It won't give users choice because we as an industry have again and again just chosen what's easiest for us instead of best for the customer.

We'd 100% still be using Flash if Apple hadn't refused to support it because of the battery and performance issues.

This forum spends a lot of time talking about the E**ification of everything and how user hostile many companies business practices are and then cheers tearing down the one walled garden a non-nerd can, by default, have a reasonable experience in.

Re: EU tells Apple to open everything up to its rivals

#62

I for one look forward to there being a franken iphone in EU covered with ads and malware. Apple should give them exactly what they want. Every major software company will have their own app store for their apps. It will be glorius!

Protections against malware are the job of the operating system not an app store.

And I don't understand the point about ads. The vast majority of apps currently available on the app store is already plastered with ads?

Re: EU tells Apple to open everything up to its rivals

#63
I also want to be able to reprogram my oven and washing machine. And also my car. I should be able to run any app on my infotainment system, not just those from the manufacturer.

Less tongue in cheek: let me install any game I want from any game store on Xbox and Playstation and Switch. I do not understand why this only focuses on Apple. Is that just the media for clicks?

Re: EU tells Apple to open everything up to its rivals

#64
post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because Apple holds no monopolies unless you trivialize the definition to include virtually everything.

Doesn't Apple hold a monopoly on the iPhone/iPad ecosystem? Why am I not allowed to install Firefox or Chrome (real Firefox or Chrome)?

Not anymore than Honda or Ford hold a monopoly on their cars…

Re: EU tells Apple to open everything up to its rivals

#65
Cook is doing a largely undocumented European tour.

He was also in the Netherlands to talk about/with ASML and NXP. There's a few dozen critical European suppliers that Apple depends on.

He's also not hostile to legislation at all, he openly committed and confirmed to want to apply with legislation in any major market.

Contrary to popular belief, legislation is not always perceived as negative by businesses. Without legislation, you're somewhat forced to get as unethical as the law allows, because if you don't, somebody else will.

In more cynical cases, companies may even embrace legislation as a competitive advantage. An example would be pro-active copyright detection, the detection of misinformation on platforms like Youtube and Facebook. Very hard and expensive to implement, thus small companies don't stand a chance to compete.

Re: EU tells Apple to open everything up to its rivals

#66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, but we need more anti-trust for all of them. Edge has been repeating the old Explorer tricks and Google pay-for-play is even worse (if Apple didn't get a cut, would they be as willing to push the increasingly ad-infested google search?)

Google's thing is just a default, no? Consumers can change it?

Except this has all played out before.

Consumers do what they are told to do. If a website says install this app in order to use it they will. If an app says approve this permission to use this app they will.

And so you will inevitably end up with websites that only support Chrome which will increase its market share up until the point it is an IE style monopoly. And aspects like the cost of testing apps/sites on multiple diverging browsers will further entrench this monopoly.

People go on about how this is great for competition as they can finally install Firefox etc. No. This is going to cement Google's control over the browser market and wipe out third party browsers like Firefox for good.

And then we will end up with pro-advertising features that are built into the browser that you can't block.

Re: EU tells Apple to open everything up to its rivals

#67
It is understandable why Apple wants to keep its current grip on iOS indefinitely. What I don't understand is why some people defend it, on this very forum!

One commenter simultaneously defended gay marriages - "if you don't like gay marriages, don't get married to gays" - and defended the Apple's monopoly - "I like that there is only one Appstore and developers won't force me to sideload".

Re: EU tells Apple to open everything up to its rivals

#68

I for one look forward to there being a franken iphone in EU covered with ads and malware. Apple should give them exactly what they want. Every major software company will have their own app store for their apps. It will be glorius!

This idea that without a tightly controlled monopoly enforced by digital locks, the world will immediately devolve into chaos.

On my phone I can install proprietary apps from Google's store, or open source apps from F-droid. What's wrong with having choice?

Re: EU tells Apple to open everything up to its rivals

#69
post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because Apple holds no monopolies unless you trivialize the definition to include virtually everything.

Doesn't Apple hold a monopoly on the iPhone/iPad ecosystem? Why am I not allowed to install Firefox or Chrome (real Firefox or Chrome)?

[dead]

Re: EU tells Apple to open everything up to its rivals

#70
I was at [IAPP Global Privacy Summit](https://iapp.org/conference/global-privacy-summit/) 2022, where Tim Cook gave a keynote. He started with highlighting all of the ways Apple protects its users privacy (many of which are great, and the reason I use Apple products!), but then he pivoted to make the case that Apple being forced to allow rival app stores would compromise their ability to protect users' privacy. This fell flat to many in the audience: why can't Apple continue to offer a privacy-by-default experience while allowing more competition?
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