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The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

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Re: The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

#311

Post by umvi »

karpierz wrote: post #256
umvi wrote: post #167

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The manufacturer of the device is within their rights to ship the software/hardware experience they want it to have. This is the same logic people use to block modification of movies, music, books, video games, etc. "The artist wants you to experience their art a specific way and the ability to [censor profanity/add zombies/change the ending/remix it] wrests control from the creator and allows people experience the…

Sure, and if you order food at a restaurant and and want to modify it, don't expect the chef to let you into the kitchen and use their tools to do it.

Precisely!

And you would also hope the food doesn't come inside a bullet-proof glass bubble with a robotic arm as the only interface between you and the food to ensure you eat it exactly the way the chef intended.

And furthermore you would hope breaking the bullet-proof glass bubble so you can feed yourself and pick out the mushrooms won't cause the chef to send lawyers after you (especially if you teach others how to).

Re: The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

#312

Post by scarface74 »

sukilot wrote: post #80
dkobia wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a consumer I love Apple's commitment to high quality apps - a side effect of their review process. As a seller on their marketplace 30% is extremely high. 30% of every sale! For context Amazons referral fee averages about 15%.

> commitment to high quality apps ...that don't compete with Apple's own.

Apple has plenty of competition on the App Store for every category.

Re: The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

#313

Post by 627467 »

moralsupply wrote: post #7

The article states that Apple is extorting users. Is Apple forcing anybody to use their services?

If by anybody you include their own customers... Yes.

The case here is driven mostly by Spotify who claim (my paraphrasing) they cannot benefit Apple customers equaly because of Apple restrictive practices and fee model.

You may not have purchased a Apple device with intention to use with Spotify, but others may.

(Now extrapolate the Spotify story to any appmaker who wish to sell to Apple customers)

Re: The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

#314

Post by scarface74 »

orwin wrote: post #242
zepto wrote: post #212

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, because I want to be continue to recommend Apple products to friends and family who would definitely be scammed by fake payment mechanisms if Apple wasn’t preventing it.

How do you feel about them removing an app because it allows people from HK to circumvent censorship? And why? Just asking to understand your point of view on the article.

You mean where they could get the same functionality from a website?

Re: The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

#315

Post by scarface74 »

wstrange wrote: post #99
spullara wrote: post #9

As a consumer, I am 100% in favor of the way run the app store. I don't want to give random apps my credit card. I don't want to have 18 accounts to keep track of. I don't want to have to call telephone support to cancel my account. I don't want malware in my apps. I don't want apps to have my email if they don't need it. I don't need another middleman for content companies license and distribute. Everything Apple is…

Why not let consumers decide if Apple's 30% uplift is worth it? Clearly for yourself that is the case, but others may come to a different conclusion. Most markets offer a variety of tradeoffs in price vs. quality. Consumers rarely pick the cheapest product. If Apple's app store is superior, they will have no problem in justifying their 30%.

How many consumers on Android are using the Amazon store?

Re: The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

#316

Post by scarface74 »

kennydude wrote: post #113
simonh wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can choose, go and choose one of the other 70% of the phones on the market.

Sure, when Apple will just sue any competitor for "infringing" on it's millions of stupid software patents

When has Apple initiated a patent lawsuit since Cook became CEO?

Re: The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

#317

Post by 627467 »

coldtea wrote: post #33
Apocryphon wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

By not allowing alternate app stores, yes.

Nobody forces anybody to buy an Apple product... In fact, Apple charges more, so it makes it even more difficult to buy them than an Android phone -- which also has multiple app install options. Why not use that?

Once you buy an apple product you lose freedoms others have. So, while no one forces me to buy from apple, once I buy apple I'm forced to buy only what apple sees fit.

Re: The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

#318

Post by DenisM »

627467 wrote: post #283
DenisM wrote: post #118

The local cinema has an exclusive right on selling popcorn within its own walls. Far from being the only game in town, this cinema represents only 25% of the market and thus does not qualify for the Sherman Act definition of "monopoly". Punters, however, believe that once they enter the establishment they are now in the clutches of the monopoly, and so demand competing popcorn stands and reject the suggestion of walk…

How is any of this relevant to "EU" as seen in title?

Discussing Sherman act is a good starting point as it illuminates the spirit of the antitrust law and illustrates the letter.

Do you think the EU definition of monopoly is different enough to allow Apple be classified as a monopoly? Please, make your case!

Re: The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

#319

Post by scarface74 »

diego_moita wrote: post #288
Andrew_nenakhov wrote: post #22

I applaud this. The manufacturer of the device must not control what apps I run on after buying it. Third-party appstores and app sideloading is a must. (And do not forget third party push-notifications, iOS devices are next to useless without them)

> The manufacturer of the device must not control what apps I run on after buying it. Exactly. As much as a car manufacturer shouldn't force you to buy only their gas, oil, tires or batteries.

Like Tesla....

Re: The App Store is a monopoly: Here's why the EU is correct to investigate Apple

#320

Post by Andrew_nenakhov »

wlesieutre wrote: post #246
Andrew_nenakhov wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not like someone will force you paying without your consent. If you don't want to give random apps your credit card, don't give it to them. Why do you oppose other people's right to do that, if they need it?

Beyond the security of not giving our credit cards, and the convenience of not having 8 different game updater/launcher clients, Apple’s App Store policies also limit 3rd party software’s ability to fuck up my devices in a myriad of ways. If they’re forced to open up to 3rd party stores, I hope they can do it in a way that prevents Adobe from running 8 background processes to make sure my license is current and there…

You can run third party apps and Steam on macOS-equipped laptop computers just fine. Why it should be any different on pocket or tablet iOS computers?
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