Live data from Hacker News

U.S. sues Apple, accusing it of maintaining an iPhone monopoly

nytimes.com

751–760 of 1001 posts

Re: U.S. sues Apple, accusing it of maintaining an iPhone monopoly

#751

For folks who don't have time to read a 90 page document, the case rests on specific claims, not just the general claim that iPhone is a monopoly because it's so big. Here are those claims: 1. "Super Apps" Apple has restrictions on what they allow on the App Store as far as "Super Apps", which are apps that might offer a wide variety of different services (specifically, an app which has several "mini programs" within…

1. Seems odd, given WeChat is on iOS… the example you used is literally a counterpoint for the allegation.

3. Messages do interop. But it’d be hilarious if the US created some kind of precedent where everything has to work on everything.

4. Samsung, and Google both fall into this trap, where more functionality is available between like devices.

5. So when my Amex isn’t accepted, that’s Visa or Mastercard restricting APIs - and causing lock in right?

These strange legal cases are odd to me. If we think these large tech conglomerates should be regulated, then write laws for them, don’t use the court system to muck things up for no reason.

Re: U.S. sues Apple, accusing it of maintaining an iPhone monopoly

#753

I assert it is trivial to not buy Apple products, easy to make alternatives to Apple products and easy to buy feature equivalent devices to Apple products. In lieu of this what is the problem? If the government has a problem why not say any code should be able to be run on any device? Honestly I’m curious - what’s the problem? There are android phones that are superior to iPhones and let you run anything you want. Wh…

If Apple buy up all the fab capacity how exactly can you make yourself (with a spare billion dollars) an iPhone?

Re: U.S. sues Apple, accusing it of maintaining an iPhone monopoly

#754

so.. based of these claims by US government, would it be good and required for Apple to give full access to users data, financials, health and everything-else-data to say Huaweii smartwatch?

if you paid for the phone and the watch and they belong to you, then yes, of course.

Re: U.S. sues Apple, accusing it of maintaining an iPhone monopoly

#755

For folks who don't have time to read a 90 page document, the case rests on specific claims, not just the general claim that iPhone is a monopoly because it's so big. Here are those claims: 1. "Super Apps" Apple has restrictions on what they allow on the App Store as far as "Super Apps", which are apps that might offer a wide variety of different services (specifically, an app which has several "mini programs" within…

1. Super Apps are notorious for tracking the user across the "mini" apps within it, which is the argument made by Apple for making them hard to get approval for. I'm on Apple's side here 2. I was able to use PS Remote Play on my iPhone even many years ago (pre-COVID). A quick google search shows that Steam Link and Shadow PC (my ATF) are also available on iOS. I'm on Apple's side here too 3. I think the situation has…

[dead]

Re: U.S. sues Apple, accusing it of maintaining an iPhone monopoly

#756

For folks who don't have time to read a 90 page document, the case rests on specific claims, not just the general claim that iPhone is a monopoly because it's so big. Here are those claims: 1. "Super Apps" Apple has restrictions on what they allow on the App Store as far as "Super Apps", which are apps that might offer a wide variety of different services (specifically, an app which has several "mini programs" within…

I like the app store, I like the restrictions, I don't want apple to change anything about it. I sort of think apple shouldn't try to comply with these sorts of potential lawsuits by making their app store worse, they should just let people jail break the phone and offer zero support for it. If people want to buy an iphone and shit it up, let them do it.

> I like the app store, I like the restrictions, I don't want apple to change anything about it.

This is basically saying you only use TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Spotify, Tinder, Gmail, Google Maps, and play zero to some handful of mega huge F2P games.

Why have an App Store at all then? You don't use it. It's an installation wizard for you, not a store.

Don't you see? This stuff doesn't interact with restrictions at all. The problem with the App Store is that it sucks, not that it's restricted.

> making their app store worse

I've heard this take from so many people. It is already as bad as it gets. The App Store is an utter disaster. They have failed in every aspect to make a thriving ecosystem. It is just the absolute largest, hugest, best capitalized, least innovative apps and games.

This doesn't have to be the case at all. Look at Steam. Even Linux package managers have more diversity with more apps that thrive.

Re: U.S. sues Apple, accusing it of maintaining an iPhone monopoly

#757

The blue background on messages sent between two iMessage users has to be one of the most brilliant vendor lock-in strategies. It is an artificial form of discrimination. I feel a slight annoyance whenever a non-Apple user forms a group chat as I know that person will limit the messaging functionality. In my opinion, the "monopolistic" aspect of it comes down to the fact that they tied it into an otherwise open messa…

> that person will limit the messaging functionality

Don't have an iPhone -- what functionality do they limit?

Re: U.S. sues Apple, accusing it of maintaining an iPhone monopoly

#759

so.. based of these claims by US government, would it be good and required for Apple to give full access to users data, financials, health and everything-else-data to say Huaweii smartwatch?

if you paid for the phone and the watch and they belong to you, then yes, of course.

I'm not sure you get the reference here.. it's not about what you want or not, but how US government feels about certain (chinese) company.

Re: U.S. sues Apple, accusing it of maintaining an iPhone monopoly

#760
post #757

The blue background on messages sent between two iMessage users has to be one of the most brilliant vendor lock-in strategies. It is an artificial form of discrimination. I feel a slight annoyance whenever a non-Apple user forms a group chat as I know that person will limit the messaging functionality. In my opinion, the "monopolistic" aspect of it comes down to the fact that they tied it into an otherwise open messa…

> that person will limit the messaging functionality Don't have an iPhone -- what functionality do they limit?

- reacting to messages/replying to messages

- sending messages over data (obviously)

Post reply on HN