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Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

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Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#811

Post by jpttsn »

whiddershins wrote: post #484

All I want is a system preference that says ‘allow apps from other sources than the apple App Store.’ And I want that setting to work exactly as you imagine. And then everything else problematic about this debate would disappear.

I imagine it working poorly.

No dad, not the App Store. The Epic store. It’s an app that you get in the App Store. Download that. Then log on with the Epic account—-no, not that password, the one you use for Epic. Huh. It could be your other credit card? Yeah then you search for Fortnite. Backed up? No it only migrated the apps that were from the App Store...

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#812

Post by fastball »

gwd wrote: post #730
danShumway wrote: post #481

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How would the ability to sideload apps force you to install apps outside of the Apple store? I'm not forced to use FDroid just because I have an Android phone. People aren't arguing that the app store should go away, just that consumers should have a choice. As an analogy, if I want OEM care for my car, I can get that. It's more expensive, but it offers me strict guarantees about where parts are coming from, and I do…

> How would the ability to sideload apps force you to install apps outside of the Apple store? The key thing to me is supporting Apple's ecosystem. That ecosystem doesn't come out of nowhere; it's supported by the Apple Tax. If Apple can't collect that tax, they have to either reduce the quality of the ecosystem, or look for revenue elsewhere, like selling your data or obsoleting older models faster.

The Apple Tax is that new iPhones cost upwards of $1000.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#813

Post by dx034 »

jhasse wrote: post #734
lub wrote: post #719

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It's like saying I bought a petrol car but I should have a legal right to fill it up with Diesel or make it work with electricity. It's illogical. The packaging said petrol and so I knownlingly bought petrol. Though it's not really uncommon to modify a car for autogas or electric. Often it's also possible to change the radio receiver to e.g. one with android car. I kinda expect the same freedom to modify other prod…

You're free to jailbreak your iPhone.

Jailbreaking uses vulnerabilities, there is no way to jailbreak a phone officially. Whereas Android allows sideloading apps officially.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#814

Post by thaumasiotes »

takeda wrote: post #765
pferde wrote: post #706

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What monopoly? Nobody is forcing you to buy Apple and enter into their rotten walled garden. If you "pay damn much and buy the phone", you are doing it of your own volition. "Take the power back" by not continuing to give them your money.

Back in the late 90s no one forced you to use Windows and Microsoft Office. You could just live without a PC.

> Back in the late 90s no one forced you to use Windows and Microsoft Office. You could just live without a PC.

This was not unusual in the late 90s.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#815

Post by speleding »

hijklmno wrote: post #696

It's not Apple vs. Fortnite. It's actually Apple vs. Users. Apple has been taking us for a ride this whole time. We pay damn much and buy the phone. It is the user's property from then on. What the user install's and uninstall's from his phone should be his decision. Taking a cut of say, 3%, to keep the app store running is forgivable. But 30% digging into users pocket is unpardonable. Apple is no longer the underdog…

> 3% to keep the app store running is forgivable

Payment processing alone would cost Apple that much. You easily lose 1.5%-2% in payment fees and another 2% in handling fraud and customer support queries about payments.

For example, if a payment for an app is $1.99, Apple now takes $0.60. If a customer calls support to ask a question about the purchase it can cost anywhere from $15 to $30 in call center fees, so it takes 50 purchases to make good on that. If you lower that to a $0.06 take apple would have to make 500 sales for every phone call to support.

People don't realise good customer support is very expensive.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#816

Post by KingOfCoders »

thirdsun wrote: post #750
KingOfCoders wrote: post #498

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm using Windows, OS X and Linux for 30+ years, didn't have a virus or a malware or anything else. The last time I had a virus was on my Amiga which I got at a copy party in the Netherlands. I think it is perfectly fine that you want the security from the Apple store and pay 30% on top for this, but why should I pay those 30%? It's not some kind of insurance that works better the more people take it.

> I'm using Windows, OS X and Linux for 30+ years, didn't have a virus or a malware or anything else. Sure, neither did I, but Apple also has to provide a secure platform to my dad, my grandparents or any other non-tech-savvy person that will wreak havoc on any fresh Windows installation in record time.

Yes, and they can pay 30% for the anti-virus and anti-malware service, if they want too.

But why should I pay for a service that I dont want or need?

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#818

Post by 8fingerlouie »

I don't get the problem.

The App Store (Apple or Google) is a software distribution platform run by the owner of the platform. The platform has rules to cover costs and generate profit. Participation is entirely voluntary.

Epic Games has violated the TOS of the platform, and for this both Google and Apple has removed their app(s) from their platforms. Again, participation is entirely voluntary, but if you participate you're expected to follow the rules of the platform.

It's really not down to Apple keeping a walled garden, or Apple vs. Users, or Google spying on you.. again, Participation is entirely voluntary, that also goes for users.

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#819

Post by bmarquez »

pferde wrote: post #792
hijklmno wrote: post #711

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Take the money back and go where? Live in a hut? It's such enabling behaviors that embolden these elitists to lord over our lives. You can't let anyone be a gatekeeper to technology and progress. This applies to every major tech player. And this is the time that we need to make our voices heard.

Yes, sure, make your voice heard, fight against the abuses, that can only help. But at the same time, do not pretend that there are not any alternatives. Yes, perhaps those alternatives are not as convenient, but choosing them over the "wrong" choice should be an equal part of the fight. And "Live in a hut"? Please do not be overly maudlin. We are talking consumer electronics here - something that is still considered…

> talking consumer electronics here - something that is still considered luxury

I disagree. A smartphone is a necessity in this current era. If for example your government requires you to install a Covid tracing app, what choice do you have besides Apple and Android (both of which removed Fortnite)?

Re: Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

#820

Post by isodude »

hijklmno wrote: post #696

It's not Apple vs. Fortnite. It's actually Apple vs. Users. Apple has been taking us for a ride this whole time. We pay damn much and buy the phone. It is the user's property from then on. What the user install's and uninstall's from his phone should be his decision. Taking a cut of say, 3%, to keep the app store running is forgivable. But 30% digging into users pocket is unpardonable. Apple is no longer the underdog…

To reach a good balance you don't use rebellion, you don't need to take action. If you want to fight greed, start with yourself and then maybe your peers.

Accept what is and don't buy stuff you don't need. Hopefully we learn this before something worse than covid destroys all.

Also it's very hard task to keep a good eco system running, both Google and Apple do their best here. Most organisations crumble from the inside at their size.

Hey, actually several companies reached a size where they have the stability to offer the same service to most part of the world and it allows us to communicate basically free. We also have gadgets that is super duper advanced in our pockets. Embrace that give them some slack. Lead them by example and create a counter culture that takes all the good parts and makes them better. You got a silver plate of goodies, anyone in the past would trade that spot with you in an instance.

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