Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Epic says Apple will reinstate developer account

9to5mac.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

111–120 of 653 posts

Re: Epic says Apple will reinstate developer account

#111

Post by Aldo_MX »

anonymouse008 wrote: post #15

Not trying to start a flame war, I'm asking this earnestly. Where does this command over hardware (USB-C mandate), software (sideloading/AppStore), and prices (recent 2bn decision) end?

It won't end, Apple is too big now, the alternatives are:

  1. Split Apple into smaller companies
  2. Operate Apple like an utility company
They did this to themselves, and it's only downhill from this point.

Re: Epic says Apple will reinstate developer account

#112

Post by sircastor »

h_tbob wrote: post #90

I hope they can learn to love each other. Makes me so upset when developers and business people can't figure out how to solve this outside of court.

Epic and Apple famously had a close relationship. A few years back, Epic was onstage at every Apple keynote. They were showing off games on iOS on macOS, talking about API development. I understand why Tim Sweeney felt like they were getting ripped off, but it seemed like they had a strong relationship.

I wonder if something happened behind the scenes.

Re: Epic says Apple will reinstate developer account

#113

Post by criddell »

adastra22 wrote: post #102
usr1106 wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, and that's why monopolies must die, in practice desolved by governments. Once you buy a smartphone today you and everybody who wants to do further business with you are at the mercy of a monopolist. For Apple 100%, for Google only 98% because you could side-load. But not a secure and practical solution today.

I don't think monopoly is the right word here.

How about oligopolist?

Re: Epic says Apple will reinstate developer account

#114

Post by qeternity »

Aldo_MX wrote: post #111
anonymouse008 wrote: post #15

Not trying to start a flame war, I'm asking this earnestly. Where does this command over hardware (USB-C mandate), software (sideloading/AppStore), and prices (recent 2bn decision) end?

It won't end, Apple is too big now, the alternatives are: 1. Split Apple into smaller companies 2. Operate Apple like an utility company They did this to themselves, and it's only downhill from this point.

> They did this to themselves

What...by being successful?

Re: Epic says Apple will reinstate developer account

#115

Post by rchaud »

ajross wrote: post #3

This is just so weird to watch. Apple is literally throwing a tantrum on a continent-wide stage. Like, it's one attempt at escalation after another, and they keep losing (either their legal fights, or their nerve) and having to reverse course. Like, there's no strategy at all here? Just keep swinging and hope you land a blow that breaks through the armor? This is how my 15 year old plays VR games.

It works in American courts, where you can file appeal after appeal, during which time you don't have to comply with the court's original verdict.

Re: Epic says Apple will reinstate developer account

#116

Post by sharikous »

spacedcowboy wrote: post #108
astlouis44 wrote: post #41

Amazing how fast this decision was reversed. It's truly awesome to see regulators standing up to walled gardens. This will greatly benefit both developers and consumers.

According to the article it was because Epic met with Apple and gave better assurances that they'd play ball rather than deliberately break their contract like they did last time. Regulators don't seem to have had anything to do with it. --- So what changed? Apple tells 9to5Mac that it has held further discussions with Epic. The result is that Apple has received proper commitment that Epic will play by the rules as l…

Honestly what you describe seems to be an attempt by Apple PR to save face.

They fear the spotlight on the fact that even on alternate stores only accounts controlled by Apple can publish apps, which might become the focus of new regulations

Re: Epic says Apple will reinstate developer account

#118

Post by UberFly »

justin66 wrote: post #103
nonameiguess wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As was said, this is normal in the US. Private businesses can refuse service to anyone for any reason. There's that paint color that is allowed to be used by all but one person because the inventor doesn't like them. On the other hand, I'm definitely not saying this is okay or sane just because it's standard practice in the US. It's also how we got legalized segregation and we had to pass laws carving out exceptions…

> Private businesses can refuse service to anyone for any reason. There are enough really obvious counterexamples to that statement that I wonder why you'd write it.

Any that's just the first sentence.

Re: Epic says Apple will reinstate developer account

#120

Post by qeternity »

mopsi wrote: post #24
anonymouse008 wrote: post #15

Not trying to start a flame war, I'm asking this earnestly. Where does this command over hardware (USB-C mandate), software (sideloading/AppStore), and prices (recent 2bn decision) end?

It ends when Apple learns to balance the interests of their shareholders and the interests of their customers better. I would go as far as saying that the way Apple banned even any mention of alternative payment methods for in-app services was clearly abusive and faudulent.

> It ends when Apple learns to balance the interests of their shareholders and the interests of their customers better.

The interests of their shareholders are literally the interests of their customers.

Apple makes incredible products, that billions of people pay significant money for, with many competitors that are much cheaper. Their shareholders reap the rewards of this.

If Apple customers hated Apple, they would not be Apple customers, and Apple would not be one of the most valuable businesses in human history.

Post reply on HN