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AltStore PAL, the first alternative app marketplace on iPhone, is available now

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Re: AltStore PAL, the first alternative app marketplace on iPhone, is available now

#11

Post by nerdjon »

lycos wrote: post #9

Delta for free in the regular App Store everywhere but the EU where we have to download a paid app store to install it, so it begins.

Right?

This is exactly what I have been worried about and people tried to explain to tell me that, no this doesn't remove choice from me as a user.

When in fact it does, if I was in the EU (and if the US does something similar, likely here) if I wanted to download this I would have to use their store. The choice is being made for me by the developer.

It didn't take long to already have an example of this happening and bigger companies will likely follow suit.

So how exactly does this benefit users again and isn't all about appeasing developers?

Re: AltStore PAL, the first alternative app marketplace on iPhone, is available now

#12

Post by lxgr »

nerdjon wrote: post #8
daveidol wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Really? I can’t find it on the US store currently

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/delta-game-emulator/id10485246... It is there. According to the verge it is also identical: https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/17/24132984/delta-free-emula... Curious why it is not available in the EU on the App Store (if it really isn't, I can't confirm)

Presumably to encourage people to subscribe to the AltStore, which doesn't feel like a very classy move. (Update below – it might be because of Apple's CTF.)

This is in addition to a somewhat dubious licensing clause on the Delta GitHub repo that violates the GPL, under which most of the emulator cores it uses are licensed: https://github.com/rileytestut/Delta/issues/296

On the other hand, due to how Apple's EU "compliance" is implemented (opting into the new business terms is all-or-nothing per legal entity, not per account), I believe it might be impossible for the developer to now publish any apps in the EU App Store without paying the CTF anyway, so it does all go back to Apple's malicious compliance in the end.

Re: AltStore PAL, the first alternative app marketplace on iPhone, is available now

#13

Post by talldayo »

nerdjon wrote: post #11
lycos wrote: post #9

Delta for free in the regular App Store everywhere but the EU where we have to download a paid app store to install it, so it begins.

Right? This is exactly what I have been worried about and people tried to explain to tell me that, no this doesn't remove choice from me as a user. When in fact it does, if I was in the EU (and if the US does something similar, likely here) if I wanted to download this I would have to use their store. The choice is being made for me by the developer. It didn't take long to already have an example of this happening an…

Because... the developer didn't swallow Apple's fee for you?

Your decision is to pay Apple's fee that they claim is fair, or not use the app. I don't really see how we can shake our fists at the developers and publishers for not sponsoring the distribution of their FOSS app. It's very clearly the Unity-esque installation fee that is the problem here.

Re: AltStore PAL, the first alternative app marketplace on iPhone, is available now

#14

Post by goosedragons »

nerdjon wrote: post #11
lycos wrote: post #9

Delta for free in the regular App Store everywhere but the EU where we have to download a paid app store to install it, so it begins.

Right? This is exactly what I have been worried about and people tried to explain to tell me that, no this doesn't remove choice from me as a user. When in fact it does, if I was in the EU (and if the US does something similar, likely here) if I wanted to download this I would have to use their store. The choice is being made for me by the developer. It didn't take long to already have an example of this happening an…

Whose fault is it that it has to be a paid app store? Blame Apple for their ridiculous policies that essentially require it.

Re: AltStore PAL, the first alternative app marketplace on iPhone, is available now

#15

Post by nerdjon »

talldayo wrote: post #13
nerdjon wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Right? This is exactly what I have been worried about and people tried to explain to tell me that, no this doesn't remove choice from me as a user. When in fact it does, if I was in the EU (and if the US does something similar, likely here) if I wanted to download this I would have to use their store. The choice is being made for me by the developer. It didn't take long to already have an example of this happening an…

Because... the developer didn't swallow Apple's fee for you? Your decision is to pay Apple's fee that they claim is fair, or not use the app. I don't really see how we can shake our fists at the developers and publishers for not sponsoring the distribution of their FOSS app. It's very clearly the Unity-esque installation fee that is the problem here.

Um... no where did I mention anything about the fee...

They could have put the app on the app store on the EU and on their store. But did not.

Re: AltStore PAL, the first alternative app marketplace on iPhone, is available now

#16

Post by nerdjon »

goosedragons wrote: post #14
nerdjon wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Right? This is exactly what I have been worried about and people tried to explain to tell me that, no this doesn't remove choice from me as a user. When in fact it does, if I was in the EU (and if the US does something similar, likely here) if I wanted to download this I would have to use their store. The choice is being made for me by the developer. It didn't take long to already have an example of this happening an…

Whose fault is it that it has to be a paid app store? Blame Apple for their ridiculous policies that essentially require it.

I never mentioned anything about the fee, just that you have to use a different store.

Re: AltStore PAL, the first alternative app marketplace on iPhone, is available now

#17

Post by lxgr »

rwbt wrote: post #7

Love the 'PAL' reference - just like how many in North America were pining for the PAL video standard (initially Europe but later entire world except North America) but we were stuck with NTSC (and doubled down).

On the other hand, many cool games never made it to the PAL region, and a lot of PAL ports (and video releases) got technically botched in some way.

Re: AltStore PAL, the first alternative app marketplace on iPhone, is available now

#18

Post by talldayo »

nerdjon wrote: post #15
talldayo wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because... the developer didn't swallow Apple's fee for you? Your decision is to pay Apple's fee that they claim is fair, or not use the app. I don't really see how we can shake our fists at the developers and publishers for not sponsoring the distribution of their FOSS app. It's very clearly the Unity-esque installation fee that is the problem here.

Um... no where did I mention anything about the fee... They could have put the app on the app store on the EU and on their store. But did not.

[flagged]

Re: AltStore PAL, the first alternative app marketplace on iPhone, is available now

#19

Post by talldayo »

lxgr wrote: post #17
rwbt wrote: post #7

Love the 'PAL' reference - just like how many in North America were pining for the PAL video standard (initially Europe but later entire world except North America) but we were stuck with NTSC (and doubled down).

On the other hand, many cool games never made it to the PAL region, and a lot of PAL ports (and video releases) got technically botched in some way.

There's a sad bit of irony that the year is 2024 and the game console in your pocket could feasibly run anything you want, but the OEM region-locked it again.

Re: AltStore PAL, the first alternative app marketplace on iPhone, is available now

#20

Post by nerdjon »

talldayo wrote: post #18
nerdjon wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Um... no where did I mention anything about the fee... They could have put the app on the app store on the EU and on their store. But did not.

[flagged]

Or, you know the developer could do what they did in other countries and just put it on the EU App store...

Clearly it works there, according to the verge it's identical. Could even charge the same $2 a year if they really want too.

Again, not complaining about the fee here.

You replied to me thinking I was upset about a certain thing, that is not in fact the thing I am upset about and you seem to be doubling down...

My core issue here, is being forced to download an alternative store by the developer making a choice. They did not have to make this choice. But they did, and now as the user I have no choice but to follow if I want to download it.

This really isn't hard to understand.

If it really is about the CTF, just charge the same fee.

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