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Apple ordered to not block Epic’s Unreal Engine, Fortnite to stay off App Store

techcrunch.com

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Re: Apple ordered to not block Epic’s Unreal Engine, Fortnite to stay off App Store

#51

Post by ericmay »

badsectoracula wrote: post #47
alkonaut wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I still wonder why so many people buy devices, where the only software you could run has to be approved by the manufacturer. Because many of us feel that the alternative (The nightmare that is the desktop PC application ecosystem) would be far worse, especially on a smartphone.

How is having control over what you can install on your own PC and being in a position to actually choose from where to install it a nightmare? Is being in control and having choice a nightmare?

Well, you just look at the PC ecosystem and you can see the nightmare.

Like others,I prefer Apple to have a tightly controlled App Store and believe that the benefits far outweigh the ability to install software from a 3rd party App Store.

For example, Apple requiring Sign In with Apple (when signin with Google/Facebook are implemented) where you can hide your email address. That’s not possible with multiple app stores. Apple helps lead the way with privacy.

If you want multiple app stores and all that, just buy an Android phone. iPhone is for people like me who want a tightly controlled experience. That’s the way it’s designed. You don’t buy a Corolla and get mad that you can’t off road with it, do you?

Re: Apple ordered to not block Epic’s Unreal Engine, Fortnite to stay off App Store

#52

Post by kergonath »

causality0 wrote: post #5

A victory for sanity. Apple threatening developmental licenses and anyone who used the Unreal Engine was nothing short of mafia-esque, and just as obviously Fortnite being restored to the app store is a matter for Epic's lawsuit against apple.

AFAIK they did not threaten to remove licenses for companies using the Unreal Engine. Just Epic’s.

Re: Apple ordered to not block Epic’s Unreal Engine, Fortnite to stay off App Store

#53

Post by ericmay »

badsectoracula wrote: post #44
wodenokoto wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> where the only software you could run has to be approved by the manufacturer. My two reasons: 1. I bought cellphones before the iPhone. This is nothing new. 2. I don't need everything to run on my phone. The amount of things I can't run on my phone, but wish I could is incredibly tiny, compared to the perceived additional utility my iphone gives me compared to my last Android or dumbphone. Moreover, I also own a Ni…

Yes but why? Why not demand to be able to have control over your own devices?

Because we don’t want control over our Nintendo switch or iPhone.

Re: Apple ordered to not block Epic’s Unreal Engine, Fortnite to stay off App Store

#54

Post by kergonath »

modeless wrote: post #24
philliphaydon wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Huh, Apple said it would disable Epic's developer accounts? They never threatened anyone using Unreal Engine, and I don't believe they specified UE Developer accounts. We can only speculate that UE Developer accounts would have been terminated as we don't really know if Apple was going to terminate those too as they belong to a separate company according to the court documents.

Blocking Epic from developing Unreal Engine is a threat to anyone using it.

Come on. “We’ll remove your license if you keep misbehaving” is in no way similar to “we’ll go after your users and remove their license”.

It’s a threat in the long term, if Epic and Apple cannot negotiate something satisfying (which they will eventually, there’s just too much to lose for both of them), but let’s keep some perspective.

Re: Apple ordered to not block Epic’s Unreal Engine, Fortnite to stay off App Store

#55

Post by ocdtrekkie »

Broken_Hippo wrote: post #29
IvanK_net wrote: post #20

I still wonder why so many people buy devices, where the only software you could run has to be approved by the manufacturer. I think we should speak more about this fact, so that people think twice before they buy some device. I only make websites, but I am worried, that at some point, Apple would want me to pay them, so that my website is openable on their devices.

Lack of realistic choice. If you are the average consumer looking to buy a smartphone, you have the choice of either Android or Apple. You get more choice with a PC, to an extent - the average consumer is going to get to choose between Microsoft, something like a chromebook, or apple. (Most folks buy mainstream, widely available products that work out of the box). I'm not sure the market for non-standard products is…

Lack of realistic choice indeed. Only reason I'm writing this from an iPhone is because every other retail quality mobile device runs freaking Android.

Re: Apple ordered to not block Epic’s Unreal Engine, Fortnite to stay off App Store

#56

Post by grezql »

IvanK_net wrote: post #20

I still wonder why so many people buy devices, where the only software you could run has to be approved by the manufacturer. I think we should speak more about this fact, so that people think twice before they buy some device. I only make websites, but I am worried, that at some point, Apple would want me to pay them, so that my website is openable on their devices.

there is no equivalent alternative. Android is laggy, low-quality, malware-infested junk. Windows Phone was beginning to look good. It has great design, quick OS and apps. I wish Microsoft continued at low cost operative mode and just waited for the right opportunities like this.

Re: Apple ordered to not block Epic’s Unreal Engine, Fortnite to stay off App Store

#57

Post by badsectoracula »

ericmay wrote: post #53
badsectoracula wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes but why? Why not demand to be able to have control over your own devices?

Because we don’t want control over our Nintendo switch or iPhone.

But why? What is the benefit of giving up that control?

Re: Apple ordered to not block Epic’s Unreal Engine, Fortnite to stay off App Store

#58

Post by sjwright »

onion2k wrote: post #37
philliphaydon wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks for sharing. Ah so Epic couples it all together.

Not just Epic. Apple do. If you think Epic Games and Epic International are wholly separate then telling Epic Games "Engineering efforts to improve hardware and software performance of Unreal Engine on Mac and iOS hardware;" would make no sense. It's very clear that Apple are threatening to do things that impact all of Epic in that letter. What's less clear is whether or not Apple would have actually revoked Epic Int…

Common sense ties them together. While the Fortnite app was in violation of terms, it wasn’t the app itself which violated the terms—it was the corporation.

Re: Apple ordered to not block Epic’s Unreal Engine, Fortnite to stay off App Store

#59

Post by msh »

badsectoracula wrote: post #47
alkonaut wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I still wonder why so many people buy devices, where the only software you could run has to be approved by the manufacturer. Because many of us feel that the alternative (The nightmare that is the desktop PC application ecosystem) would be far worse, especially on a smartphone.

How is having control over what you can install on your own PC and being in a position to actually choose from where to install it a nightmare? Is being in control and having choice a nightmare?

Its a security nightmare.

Re: Apple ordered to not block Epic’s Unreal Engine, Fortnite to stay off App Store

#60

Post by Shivetya »

IvanK_net wrote: post #20

I still wonder why so many people buy devices, where the only software you could run has to be approved by the manufacturer. I think we should speak more about this fact, so that people think twice before they buy some device. I only make websites, but I am worried, that at some point, Apple would want me to pay them, so that my website is openable on their devices.

Because it does not matter to the vast majority of people. In fact many appreciate that there is a gate keeper.

There are so many categories where you cannot load software outside of what the manufacturer provides that you cannot list them. It would also be impractical to allow otherwise for many of these. Then you end up with warranty issues.

Would you allow people to load software of their choice for their automobiles? Tesla is fighting this one now where people are paying a third party to boost their horsepower.

Smart TVs usually are limited by their OS and encumbered by licensing that locks down what can be loaded. This mostly is because of decoding legalities

Who becomes liable if your privacy, assets, or even the device, are compromised because you were able to load software not vetted? Do you want a world where you need a virus scan program for your phone?

I look at it this way, you have a choice in what you buy, because a manufacturer does not adhere to your desire is by no means justification for forcing them to do so.

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