More and more it looks like Epic just wants access to these major platforms and wants other companies and developers to pay for it.
Epic is asking a court to stop Google from yanking Bandcamp off the Play Store
41–50 of 133 posts
Re: Epic is asking a court to stop Google from yanking Bandcamp off the Play Store
#42Earlier quoted context omitted.
Google ensures that they are they are frightened away with scary warnings.
I don't know, I just tried downloading an APK directly (telegram). Android warns me file might be harmful. Do you suggest they shouldn't warn someone when they download an APK? It's also browser specific and I imagine all major browser give the same kind of warning because , you know, downloading an APK directly from a website might be harmful.
Why isn't the same warning shown when installing from the play store? Apps installed from the play store can have the exact same permissions as side loaded apps. You can claim that Google vets the apps, but this is pretty much false. Just go make an app and experience the process for yourself, it's laughable. Any checks they perform are automated, and there's no reason those couldn't just run on-device.
And besides, even for side loaded apps they have a database of "bad" apps that get deleted by Google called "play protect"
Re: Epic is asking a court to stop Google from yanking Bandcamp off the Play Store
#43Earlier quoted context omitted.
Bandcamp is using their own billing system, bypassing Google's cut. Every app could do this and cut Google out all together. An app could just let you download the app, pay some amount when you're in the app which would unlock the functionality. I don't think its unreasonable for Google to have a problem with this. They want to get the reach of the app store, and make money off it, without paying a cut to the host li…
In the 80s and 90s you could buy software running on Windows, where the vendor of the software didn't pay anything to Microsoft; in fact, I'm sure Microsoft was happy with them supporting and increasing the strength of their platform. Why does this have to change now? Why does the platform need a cut?
When you bought software at a retail store, the vendor didn't get the full retail price. It's not the platform getting a cut, it's the store. What we need to ensure is that platforms can't force you into their store.
Re: Epic is asking a court to stop Google from yanking Bandcamp off the Play Store
#44Re: Epic is asking a court to stop Google from yanking Bandcamp off the Play Store
#45More and more it looks like Epic just wants access to these major platforms and wants other companies and developers to pay for it.
Is that what happens when a Windows program is not put on Windows Store? Thieves!
Re: Epic is asking a court to stop Google from yanking Bandcamp off the Play Store
#46Earlier quoted context omitted.
Antitrust rules apply for abuse of dominant market power (which Google certainly has) even if theoretical alternatives exist. It does not matter that it's not literally a monopoly, as that is not the legal bar that needs to be passed for Google to be limited in what they can and can't do.
Bandcamp is using their own billing system, bypassing Google's cut. Every app could do this and cut Google out all together. An app could just let you download the app, pay some amount when you're in the app which would unlock the functionality. I don't think its unreasonable for Google to have a problem with this. They want to get the reach of the app store, and make money off it, without paying a cut to the host li…
Google also makes google chrome and doesn't get a single cent off of transactions done on that web browser too.
Re: Epic is asking a court to stop Google from yanking Bandcamp off the Play Store
#47Earlier quoted context omitted.
In the 80s and 90s you could buy software running on Windows, where the vendor of the software didn't pay anything to Microsoft; in fact, I'm sure Microsoft was happy with them supporting and increasing the strength of their platform. Why does this have to change now? Why does the platform need a cut?
When you bought software at a retail store, the vendor didn't get the full retail price. It's not the platform getting a cut, it's the store. What we need to ensure is that platforms can't force you into their store.
As far back as the 80’s there were means of distributing software without paying a retailer a commission on every sale. Shareware [1] was one such model. The software was distributed by users copying it from floppy to floppy, handing it out at user group meetings, conferences, even on the school playground. It was later included in large CD-ROM collections packaged with computer magazines.
The point is that you could distribute your software any way you wanted to without permission or license fees paid to the maker of the computer or its operating system.
Re: Epic is asking a court to stop Google from yanking Bandcamp off the Play Store
#48Re: Epic is asking a court to stop Google from yanking Bandcamp off the Play Store
#49While I generally agree with Epic's positions, it seems like a bit of a stretch here, considering that Android allows both sideloading and alternative app stores. Unlike on iOS, there's nothing on Android stopping Bandcamp from releasing a standalone sideloadable app with any payment system they desire.
Though the install rate would drop considerably. Most users are not comfortable with sideloading.
I'd guess most users don't know what sideloading is.
Re: Epic is asking a court to stop Google from yanking Bandcamp off the Play Store
#50Earlier quoted context omitted.
In the 80s and 90s you could buy software running on Windows, where the vendor of the software didn't pay anything to Microsoft; in fact, I'm sure Microsoft was happy with them supporting and increasing the strength of their platform. Why does this have to change now? Why does the platform need a cut?
Because back then you paid a lot of money for Windows and they also sold you on Office and the likes. Google's business model with android is exactly this, give the OS for cheap but earn money on the apps. Not saying 10 or 30 is the correct amount. It's just different now.
I think you meant ads instead of apps.