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Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

macrumors.com

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Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#491

Post by christkv »

concinds wrote: post #98
Etheryte wrote: post #84

The terms and conditions for web distribution [0] are concerning to say the least. In short, you have to have at least one million first installs annually on iOS to even qualify, in addition to other terms such as "good standing in the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more". I doubt Epic and the like would be considered in good standing as far as Apple is concerned. Also, quote unquote, developers…

In other words, you're only "eligible" for web distribution if you meet the threshold to pay the Core Technology Fee tax? (on top of the other requirements). Sounds convenient.

Seems pretty much written to keep Epic, Valve and others off the phone i imagine.

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#492

Post by harkinian »

ho_schi wrote: post #229

Apple isn’t considering that they are the baddies? I suggest strong regulation of the complete BigIT and two chairs for public observers at minimum. In addition they are not allowed to enter any new market. Why? Because it worked well with AT&T . Results: * UNIX * C * Open-Source * Public Documentation Sounds good? Until the Reagan administration appeared, allowed them to split up (Baby Bells), the UNIX-Wars followed…

I don't think the smartphone market is that consequential either way. It's a mature and played out end-user product already, not comparable to the early AT&T. If Apple could somehow be forced to properly support third-party app stores then so what. Forcing full PWA support would be much better, but still. I don't think it'd usher in some tech boom or meaningfully help consumers.

Personally, I don't fw apps anyway so whatever. Even if the govt wants to force iPhones to be like shitty Android then that's alright, I'll keep my old iPhone then deal with it when needed.

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#493

Post by latexr »

bsaul wrote: post #109

i don't understand how the EU didn't put up a very simple rule : users owns their phones and should be able to install any software they want without apple putting artificial restrictions or gateways exclusivity. Period. That should remove all the possibilities of apple trying to find the loopholes with shit measures such as those "options".

No, not “period”. As if Apple wouldn’t attempt loopholes around that rule as well. What defines an “artificial restriction”, or what’s “gateways exclusivity”? Things need to have definitions and laws have contexts. No EU regulator is reading random internet comments and thinking “ah, if only we thought to put in that one random sentence from sword_punisher_69, it would’ve made the law airtight. Those arm chair regulators sure know their stuff”.

People in tech are in dire need of some humility. We don’t know everything, we don’t have all the answers, we can’t just jump into someone else’s job and immediately do it better. Is the law flawless? Probably not. Would all its issues be solved with one sentence? Definitely not.

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#494

Post by smoldesu »

criddell wrote: post #476
Ballas wrote: post #6

I just want to be able to install my own apps on my own device without paying $99/year (and with a signature that lasts a reasonable amount of time). Sadly, this doesn't seem to allow for that.

I've wanted to be able to do this on video game consoles for ages. I have a powerful computer with a big screen in my living room but I'm locked out of it. I hope once the EU starts to look at Sony and Nintendo next.

Knock yourself out: https://github.com/Atmosphere-NX/Atmosphere

The Nintendo Switch is a great console for sideloading. There are numerous ports of PC titles like Quake and Half-Life, as well as a library of Homebrew games and modding tools. If you've got an original Nintendo Switch there's practically no excuse not to crack it, unless you intend to play online.

Same goes for the 3DS, too. You can now play Virtual Boy games using the built-in 3D screen, which enables preservation of Nintendo's darkest age (with or without their approval). I have soft-modded versions of both the Switch and 3DS, and recommend it to anyone that wants that "unlocked" experience.

If you want an Xbox or Playstation computer, buy the SOC from AMD. They sell them on Alibaba and get the same support Microsoft and Sony recieve (read: dogshit). Most people would agree that it's wiser to not use console hardware for PC software when you can build a superior machine for a lower price. But hey, if you wanna waste time and money I won't be the one to stop you.

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#495

Post by spogbiper »

endisneigh wrote: post #22

Seems like it would’ve been easier for apple to just enable installing android on iPhones and iPads and just walking away. I do wonder if that would’ve been enough to have compliance. I also wonder if apple could argue that web apps are enough.

Allowing an alternate OS would allow users to avoid continually paying Apple to make use of their device. It will never happen

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#496

Post by LoveMortuus »

Etheryte wrote: post #84

The terms and conditions for web distribution [0] are concerning to say the least. In short, you have to have at least one million first installs annually on iOS to even qualify, in addition to other terms such as "good standing in the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more". I doubt Epic and the like would be considered in good standing as far as Apple is concerned. Also, quote unquote, developers…

I do own an iPhone, but I do like the idea of Apple filling up the EU economy by paying out the fines that the EU lawmakers serve and will serve onto them.

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#497

Post by harkinian »

WWLink wrote: post #439
gwright wrote: post #412

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Any particular reason you are picking on US companies? or big companies? Most, if not all, monopolies are sustained by government via laws, regulations, and so on. So let's get specific, which monopolies do you think should be forced to split up and we can test that theory and see if we can identify what government actions sustain the monopoly.

Having the OS, the hardware, and the app store, along with a lot of the (almost mandatory) cloud services AND the most popular apps, all made by the same company.

For a smartphone, I can pick between 2-3 (depending how you count) major OSes, tons of different hardware vendors for the non-Apple ones, one app store if it's Apple or any source if it's not, whichever cloud any third-party app uses or no cloud if I desire, and a lot of popular third-party alternatives to the native apps.

All that choice is already there, just for a phone. Previously you'd choose a flip-phone and have it all locked together, including with the carrier.

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#498

Post by gumby »

Etheryte wrote: post #84

The terms and conditions for web distribution [0] are concerning to say the least. In short, you have to have at least one million first installs annually on iOS to even qualify, in addition to other terms such as "good standing in the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more". I doubt Epic and the like would be considered in good standing as far as Apple is concerned. Also, quote unquote, developers…

Unfortunately this is backwards for me. My mac usage is direct download (when possible) for small developers, but get the advantages of the mac app store when using an app written from someone big. So if I were inclined to download something from Epic I'd want to use the app store anyway.

For phones though I don't have the tools I do on the mac (ios is too opaque) so if I couldn't get it from the Apple app store I just wouldn't download the app at all.

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#499

Post by toyg »

auggierose wrote: post #456
bsaul wrote: post #109

i don't understand how the EU didn't put up a very simple rule : users owns their phones and should be able to install any software they want without apple putting artificial restrictions or gateways exclusivity. Period. That should remove all the possibilities of apple trying to find the loopholes with shit measures such as those "options".

The EU will still want to protect their capabilities to spy on people's phones, now, or maybe in the future. They will not want to mess with that by giving users too much control over their phone.

Your view of "the EU" as some sort of personified and consistent entity, is very naive.

This legislation is primarily pushed by commercial interests.

Re: Apple announces ability to download apps directly from websites in EU

#500

Post by overstay8930 »

TheLoafOfBread wrote: post #426
overstay8930 wrote: post #208

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That is one of the reasons why businesses must have security software monitoring your entire system on macOS, but not on iOS. On Windows, people literally just give everything they install complete root access to their entire system when installing applications, might as well bring that to iOS too, right? You’re not making the point you think you’re making. There’s a lot more danger using macOS/Windows than iOS, and…

> That is one of the reasons why businesses must have security software monitoring your entire system on macOS, but not on iOS. Because it is not even possible on iOS, so false sense of security > On Windows, people literally just give everything they install complete root access to their entire system when installing applications, might as well bring that to iOS too, right? You have not used Windows for looooong tim…

It’s clear you have so little knowledge of the area you’re trying to talk about there’s not really a point in continuing.

The real world isn’t a computer, and Apple is held responsible for user mistakes.

Remember the fappening? Apple never let users make security decisions on their iPhone again and forced MFA.

You’re talking about walking back decades of platform security because you want to be special, which by the way, everyone who does this for a living agrees with Apple here, including Google. That’s why they’re making Rooted phones worse experiences, 99% of people cannot be trusted with the sort of access you’re talking about, and Google knows that.

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