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

nytimes.com

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

#771

Post by TheGRS »

Fripplebubby wrote: post #287

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 remember how Apple Watch wouldn't let you download podcasts or songs on Spotify. Apparently they changed that to allow some recently, but that change did get me to switch to the Apple Podcast app for awhile, which I feel like is inferior.

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

#773

Post by lyu07282 »

> The Justice Department has the right under the law to ask for structural changes to Apple’s business — including a breakup, said an agency official

Sometimes neoliberalism feels like it's gaslighting us, like am I really supposed to believe this is going to lead to any substantial change? That this ideology isn't completely delusional?

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

#774

Post by fsflover »

siggen wrote: post #767
Fripplebubby wrote: post #287

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…

Did they mention copying photos from your phone to a PC via USB? This is intentionally crippled and such an unpleasant experience in comparison to the experience if you have a Mac, for me at least.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39781722

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

#775

Post by rootusrootus »

tamirzb wrote: post #587
aabajian wrote: post #358

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…

> On the other hand, I think the long-term sequalae of the blue-green message is to push people to use stand-alone apps like WhatsApp and FB Messenger I find it amusing that in 2024 people in the US still talk about WhatsApp as a future step. Where I'm from already 10+ years ago every single person you know would have a WhatsApp account. With WhatsApp, LINE, WeChat, Telegram etc. I think this is pretty much a solved…

> I find it amusing that in 2024 people in the US still talk about WhatsApp as a future step.

One person said that. Almost nobody I know has any interest in WhatsApp. The infatuation with putting all of your messaging into Facebook's hands is a European thing. What I don't understand at all is why Europeans think Facebook is superior to Apple.

> With WhatsApp, LINE, WeChat, Telegram etc. I think this is pretty much a solved problem in the rest of the world, really only the US is behind here.

I have a hard time believing that having multiple chat apps is any kind of solution to the problem. The nice thing about iMessage in the US is that it covers about 90% of everyone I talk to. Right out of the box, no asking what ecosystem someone else is using, it just works. And if I'm talking to someone who does not have iMessage ... it still just works, albeit with fewer features.

I heartily disagree that Europe or the rest of the world has a better system. Best would be if every phone from every manufacturer supported a modern protocol equivalent to iMessage or Google's proprietary RCS. Until then, iMessage in the US is the closest things to universal modern messaging.

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

#776

Post by blashyrk »

ericmcer wrote: post #232
boringg wrote: post #22

It looked surprisingly pretty weak to my non lawyer eyes. I mean I fully understand that apple business practices are building a moat through highly integrated software but its almost a feature for their system and you buy it knowing that. It feels like it goes back to Android vs Apple approach to their ecosystem.

It is a feature, interfaces between pieces of software is some of the most expensive and challenging parts of writing it. When every piece of software is written specifically with that interfacing in mind it will just run better. Now Apple hardware is starting to do the same thing? I am pretty bullish on Apple right now and could easily see a future where Windows isn't even used for gaming anymore. When Macbook Airs…

I for one would never trade my Windows (or Linux w/ KDE) for the atrocity that is the macOS UX :)

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

#777

Post by gavmor »

I'd like to see them chastised/regulated for their anticompetitive browser policies which cripple PWAs and web technologies in general. I was truly thrilled to hear about this month's UK and European legislation on the matter.[0]

0. Interview with Alex & James Moore, founding members of the Open Web Advocacy (OWA) — https://pca.st/episode/62ae3300-16e1-47bb-af24-759c980ba671

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

#778

Post by tristan957 »

KorematsuFredt wrote: post #715
Fripplebubby wrote: post #287

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…

None of these arguments are very satisfactory to me as a consumer and this appears to be more Mafia like behaviour than a genuine concern for market based competition.

Are you an Apple customer currently?

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

#779

Post by kmbfjr »

There is a lot to complain about Apple’s business practices, but the fact that the green bubble rage has turned into an interoperability monopoly case is laughable.

How much did that one set back Google after their ADHD killed off how many messaging platforms?

Fine, open it up, open them all up. Give me sliders to deny messages from SMS, Whatsapp and anyone else looking for compatibility. Same in the other direction, allow users to choose from which originating platform they’ll accept messages.

As far as the rest, yeah, Apple needs an adjustment. I should not have to pay to run my own app on my own phone. But I do.

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

#780

Post by tecoholic »

Fripplebubby wrote: post #287

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 am sure each of these items are a pain for a different sets of people. The most irritating one for someone who moved recently is: NFC lock down.

Like my Xiaomi phone was able to store any card I wanted and do a Tap to Pay, but I have to use Apple Pay and I can’t do that because my region is locked to somewhere Apple Pay isn’t a thing. Here in Melbourne even public transport is affected by this. The local myki transport cards can be digitally carried on an Android phone but not an iPhone.

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