Live data from Hacker News

Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

deccanherald.com

11–20 of 369 posts

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#11

When did Apple open up to alternative App stores and side loading? I must've missed this, because this was my number 1 reason to avoid Apple products. Not that I'd buy any, reasons 2 through 10 are still deal breakers.

Not going to happen. Apple is bigger than Indian government.

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#12
post #6

> Also, talks within the government indicate that it may ask Google and Apple to pre-install Indian App Store in all phones sold in India in near future. This particular request is likely to face counter from the American companies. Sigh!

Other than the Pixel line I don't know why we'd expect Google to block this. There's already alternative app stores preloaded on many Android phones. To my mind this will be a fight against Apple

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#13
post #3

Ok maybe the Indian govt can force Android phone manufacturers to pre install it's app store, how is this going to play out on iPhones? Are we going to see a ban on iPhones in India?

Let's look at some background

1) The issue is that Google is attacking competitors using the App Store as a weapon

Google Pay is one of the biggest payment apps in India

It attacked PayTm, another very big payment app, by making its app disappear

2) So lots of Indian companies are using it as an opportunity to do BOTH

A) Point out Google attacking competitors

B) Google taking 30% cut is unsustainable

*

Now, in INdia Android has 95% market share

So Apple gets a free pass by virtue of being so tiny in India

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#14

When did Apple open up to alternative App stores and side loading? I must've missed this, because this was my number 1 reason to avoid Apple products. Not that I'd buy any, reasons 2 through 10 are still deal breakers.

Not going to happen. Apple is bigger than Indian government.

It might have a better chance than Epic on getting a different app store on iOS devices.

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#15

When did Apple open up to alternative App stores and side loading? I must've missed this, because this was my number 1 reason to avoid Apple products. Not that I'd buy any, reasons 2 through 10 are still deal breakers.

Not going to happen. Apple is bigger than Indian government.

In what sense exactly?

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#16

When did Apple open up to alternative App stores and side loading? I must've missed this, because this was my number 1 reason to avoid Apple products. Not that I'd buy any, reasons 2 through 10 are still deal breakers.

It’s possible Apple won’t have a choice if they want to sell phones in India. India is a huge and growing market, I’m not sure Apple can afford to give that up...

Actually Apple's market share in India is minuscule due to pricing effects, and they don't anticipate selling all that much in India for the foreseeable future

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#18
post #10

What's wrong with Getjar for Android? [0] Although I think it needs a redesign but at least it has no Google control and it is independent. iOS on the other hand is slightly difficult to sideload apps compared to Android. Not too optimistic about an alternative App Store on iOS. [0] https://www.getjar.com/

> it is independent

From the perspective of the Indian government that is exactly what is wrong with Getjar.

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#19
post #10

What's wrong with Getjar for Android? [0] Although I think it needs a redesign but at least it has no Google control and it is independent. iOS on the other hand is slightly difficult to sideload apps compared to Android. Not too optimistic about an alternative App Store on iOS. [0] https://www.getjar.com/

GetJar isn't controlled by the Indian government, so it's not useful for the Indian government.

Re: Modi government to set up app store alternative to Google Play, Apple App Store

#20

When did Apple open up to alternative App stores and side loading? I must've missed this, because this was my number 1 reason to avoid Apple products. Not that I'd buy any, reasons 2 through 10 are still deal breakers.

I suspect this is a negotiation/political stance from the Indian government. Say you’re going to do it, then expect it from Apple.

I don’t think it’ll work. But I don’t think asking Apple nicely would work for a single second either.

Post reply on HN