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Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

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Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#371

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Realistically, if Apple is determined to fight this, it may drag on for years.

Just switch to Android, why take this kind of user hostility from Apple?

For the same reason I don't switch to Windows: the alternatives are even worse.

Apple isn't the best, no one deserves "best" in desktop and mobile operating systems, but it's the least bad.

In mobiles we basically have a duopoly, and the only ones who are likely to care about the customer's interests are regulators. Neither Apple nor Google have any incentive because there is no 3rd option.

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#372
post #302

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They're not general purpose computers, even if architecturally they could be. Apple amply touted the iPhone's capacities ("there's an app for that") and smartphones are defacto a core component of our lives. The Switch isn't.

What applications are necessary to call it a general purpose computer? A web browser? A self-hosted development environment? I don't think there's a bright line between what applications a Playstation or Xbox has versus what a phone has. And it's not like the iPhone is the only phone you can get. If Apple is restricting such a core component of our lives, you can simply buy non-Apple products.

It's not about how you might use the device. it's about how people actually use them. Maybe a dozen ppl have ever used the browser on a PlayStation. When you lose your phone, on the other hand, it literally feels weird to go about your day without one.

Right now you have a "Hobson's choice", but if you could ditch the iPhone while still keeping access to iMessage and iCloud, wouldn't you?

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#373
post #11

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The core technology fee doesn't exist on the Mac.

How is taking 15% or 30% of all revenue better than €0.50 per first annual install?

> How is taking 15% or 30% of all revenue better than €0.50 per first annual install?

I think for free apps that’s a bit of a big deal?

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#374

Looks like the DMA is a complete failure considering that the gatekeeper is still involved in the distribution process at all. You see what they'll do when they're allowed to do that. Apple's compliance will always be malicious, so the law may under no circumstance allow them to do that.

if the eu hits them with enough billion dollar fines eventually they will comply. apple can avoid this by complying the first time, but if they want to give away 10 billion dollars before coming into compliance i'm more than okay with that.

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#375

The terms and conditions for web distribution [0] are concerning to say the least. In short, you have to have at least one million first installs annually on iOS to even qualify, in addition to other terms such as "good standing in the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more". I doubt Epic and the like would be considered in good standing as far as Apple is concerned. Also, quote unquote, developers…

Agreed. Apple's stubbornness and clear attempts to retaliate against everyone for these changes are not going to go well for them, and they need to realise that at some point.

It's genuinely shocking how petty the company is acting with these changes, and how obvious their attempts at only doing the bare minimum to follow the law are.

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#376
post #171

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I find it interesting that some pro-Wallet garden folks argument is: "Don't like Apple? Don't buy it then." Well I can use the same argument for apps. "Don't like this third party app store or their dark patterns? Don't buy it then." Vote with your wallet, goes both ways. Or, hear me out, let's regulate so neither Apple nor other vendors can abuse their customers. And it's not like Apple's protection is effective. Ap…

The problem is that the less-tech-literate people don't recognize the dark patterns. I like iPhones because it means I don't have to worry about my parents' phones. I am not looking forward to the day when all their contacts and pictures are siphoned off because they downloaded the required "ebook reader" via the big download button on a random website.

Can you explain how you believe the App Store prevents contacts and pictures being siphoned off currently?

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#377

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The very short is, that AT&T between 1974 and 1982, due to the telephony monopoly rulings, wasn't allowed to sell software. Thus they gave their research results to universities, like Berkely.

How different is that from tech giants using their monopoly profits to develop software that they give away for free? You say AT&T gave away some software to universities. Similarly Google gives away Go (among many other projects) as FOSS for anyone to use. If Google didn't have to worry about money, they might not develop these things to give away for free.

AT&T were forced to because of regulations.

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#378
post #346

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or alternatively, that the manufacturer shall have no special privileges when it comes to software. The OS APIs needs to be public and if Apple can do something, someone else unauthorized should be able to do it also. This would also apply the play store privileges on Android, but that is a much less egregious violation than what Apple does.

Google Play store has some exclusive privileges?

Yes, for example you can't allow an alternative app store to do auto updates on the background.

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#379

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The very short is, that AT&T between 1974 and 1982, due to the telephony monopoly rulings, wasn't allowed to sell software. Thus they gave their research results to universities, like Berkely.

How different is that from tech giants using their monopoly profits to develop software that they give away for free? You say AT&T gave away some software to universities. Similarly Google gives away Go (among many other projects) as FOSS for anyone to use. If Google didn't have to worry about money, they might not develop these things to give away for free.

[deleted]

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#380

Earlier quoted context omitted.

yes, very worrying to be able to run software you want on the device that you purchased

I’m not going to hire an IT team to install and maintain MDM to prevent my grandmother from falling for a scam website and installing “free money quick 2024 +++ candy crush ultra”

If you want to block your grandma from being able to install apps from outside the Apple app store, that's fine (as long as she agrees to it). Seems like a useful feature. Maybe file it under "parental controls" or something.

If you want to block me from being able to install apps from outside the Apple app store though, that's none of your business (or Apple's).

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