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Epic says Apple will reinstate developer account

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Re: Epic says Apple will reinstate developer account

#281

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Serious question, what PWAs are worth using on Android that don't work on iOS?

I don't think we can really know the potential of PWA, since most developers aren't going to put effort into PWAs if they won't work for a big chunk of the market. Apple is effectively strangling the technology on all platforms by refusing to support it on theirs.

If PWAs had any merit at all, why would anyone build a native Android app today where all these magic features are inhibited?

What's actually missing that's stopping this from working?

Re: Epic says Apple will reinstate developer account

#282
post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Serious question, what PWAs are worth using on Android that don't work on iOS?

It's not about whether it's worth using, it's about having the mere option of building an app without the overhead of paying developer fees to Apple.

So it's not about PWAs at all then, it's just a handy complaint?

Re: Epic says Apple will reinstate developer account

#283
post #59

I, for once, love living in the EU

The US came very close to passing similar legislation recently and it still could. This bill had bipartisan support. Apple was able to kill it using relationships with leadership, but the votes were there. My organization Fight for the Future worked on lobbying for this, and while it's super difficult to pass legislation over big company opposition, it's not impossible. We can have similar rules in the US if we keep…

> Democrat Dianne Feinstein expressed concern that the legislation would disproportionately impact Apple and Google

How did I know that she was the one opposing it? I'm not glad she's dead, but I am glad she isn't on the Senate any more.

Re: Epic says Apple will reinstate developer account

#284
post #210

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is one of those things where there is only upside for everyone involved. Apple (and Google) need to be saved from themselves sometimes. Meanwhile the repeated reversals are making Apple look guilty and nefarious.

Yeah we get to choose between google and apple. Lucky us...

Would you rather have no choice?

I get the sentiment, but it's nice to finally have lawmakers and regulators standing for what's right - for once.

Re: Epic says Apple will reinstate developer account

#285
post #52
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You want to sell in their house, you gotta play by their rules. It’s that simple.

It's not their house. Someone bought an iPhone (not leased, bought, they own it now). Someone else made an app that that person wants to install on their iPhone (solely thanks to app developer's own marketing efforts). But Apple thinks it's appropriate to have their finger in the pie too.

Does apple having designed, developed, and manufactured the phone as well as having built, maintained, and serviced the App store mean nothing?

The App store is a highly trusted place to download things on your phone, and that's a value that apple provides and that costs money to maintain. Pretending that it's as isolated as you pretend feels very disingenuous.

Re: Epic says Apple will reinstate developer account

#286
One of the worst gaming user experiences on Windows is how every publisher wants their own store. And depending on where you get a game, it may or may not have certain features. And if you get into modding, sometimes one version of the game just won't work with some mods.

I understand everyone feels good about increased competition with Apple—and hopefully it turns out well for users—but iOS is hurtling toward the same situation that exists on Windows, and I think the iOS experience is worse for it. It's definitely worse with the browser nag. So I don't call this a total win. It's a theoretical win, but I foresee it being about as much of a win as cookie banners are, when it comes to the actual, practical, day-to-day experience people have using this technology.

Re: Epic says Apple will reinstate developer account

#287
post #254

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This will all blow over in a week. But once the control is lost, it’s gone forever.

Developer grievances about Apple have been simmering for years, and even longtime Apple fans aren't happy about what's been going on lately. This is not a smart path to follow. They need enthusiastic small developers to help build the Vision Pro ecosystem, and so far it doesn't seem to be going that well.

If developer grievances about Apple have been simmering for years, perhaps they can simmer longer.

Apple will make the change that they're forced to make. Developers aren't forcing anything at the moment, but what exactly are they being forced to do by the EU? That's what's being learned.

As a long time Apple fan myself I'm certain, Apple fans have never been happy. :)

Re: Epic says Apple will reinstate developer account

#288
post #218

> And the minimal assurances in Mr. Sweeney’s curt response were swiftly undercut by a litany of public attacks on Apple’s policies, compliance plan, and business model. So according to Apple [edit] one isn't allowed to say bad things about a company publicly or they are allowed to ban your account? Interesting view.

I’m not defending Apple’s stance here, but I think the point they were making is that Epic had already admitted to intentionally breaking their previous agreements with Apple for their own gain. The court then ruled that Apple could ban Epic for any reason. Sweeney essentially called the new terms illegitimate while at the same time entering a new agreement where those terms applied to Epic. It’s somewhat understanda…

They believed in good faith that Apple's terms were illegal. There is nothing wrong with breaking an illegal contract. Yes, they lost in court but it wasn't a foregone conclusion. Apple's continuing retaliation is petty and likely to get them in trouble.

Re: Epic says Apple will reinstate developer account

#289

Earlier quoted context omitted.

30% isn't some outlier share though? It also has been that way since the beginning, so it's not like they achieved their market position and then jacked up the prices; it's been this way the whole time - and, in fact, they've added programs where smaller businesses only pay a 15% commission..

Not an outlier and is pretty standard. When it was originally announced it was one of the best deals out there for developers writing software for phones. The WWDC audience cheered at getting 70%.

Wasn't the market for mobile app small at the time. Almost everyone was focused on desktop and web applications. If you're looking to make millions, even preferential deals don't look like a good deal.

Re: Epic says Apple will reinstate developer account

#290
post #59

I, for once, love living in the EU

If you can't have successful tech giants, you can have principles. If Apple/Meta/Alphabet were European companies the EU regulators would have absolutely no scruples about these things. Every country talks 'free trade!' out of one side of their mouth, and implements protectionism via various concerns about health/safety/fairness out of the other when it's expedient. The US isn't any different, it's just not tech comp…

At least our planes can fly.

(that was free, I’ll take the downvotes)

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