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Apple must open iPadOS to sideloading within 6 months, EU says

arstechnica.com

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Re: Apple must open iPadOS to sideloading within 6 months, EU says

#91

Post by thebruce87m »

patates wrote: post #75
thebruce87m wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So if I tell a user a workaround for a software issue, and they turn round and accuse me of telling them they are using the software wrong I have to agree with them?

In that statement it wasn't 1) acknowledged that this is indeed an issue and 2) the word workaround was not used.

See my above statement. If someone reports issues with software you don’t immediately say it’s definitely a bug unto you fully understand it. Hardware is no different. We do not know if they were in a position to say either way at the time.

Re: Apple must open iPadOS to sideloading within 6 months, EU says

#92

Post by ThatPlayer »

rezonant wrote: post #81
mr_tombuben wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They most likely are, but Microsoft actually does allow sideloading on Xbox in some capacity.

I don't believe that's true. Can you provide some details? There are some programs indie devs can use to get software on Xbox, but they require approval from MS, which is the opposite of side loading.

It's a separate developer mode you can boot into locks you out of retail games. You can even do RetroArch (emulators): https://youtu.be/2uZu1hITwy0

Re: Apple must open iPadOS to sideloading within 6 months, EU says

#93

Post by rfoo »

anileated wrote: post #80

Do I think side-loading and alt app stores would make iPads and iPhones more versatile devices? Yes. Do I believe indie devs will be worse off? Unfortunately, also yes. If you are a solo app developer, you will now have to keep presence on all app stores out there, since if you don’t publish on one then a copycat will. Every store would have its own review processes, fee structures, billing and tax procedures. Since…

> This is why I suspect the primary interests side-loading and alt app stores on Apple devices would satisfy is large enterprises and a few opportunistic middlemen.

Sideload as Apple implemented, yes. Sideload as what sideload always meant, no.

Apple is trying to distract and mislead the public by redefining what "sideload" means. If I can't install whatever open source shit I build myself on NON-APPLE HARDWARE to an iPhone then it's not sideload. I hope EU figure this out soon and retroactively fine Apple for this dishonest move.

Re: Apple must open iPadOS to sideloading within 6 months, EU says

#94

Post by dkdbejwi383 »

anileated wrote: post #80

Do I think side-loading and alt app stores would make iPads and iPhones more versatile devices? Yes. Do I believe indie devs will be worse off? Unfortunately, also yes. If you are a solo app developer, you will now have to keep presence on all app stores out there, since if you don’t publish on one then a copycat will. Every store would have its own review processes, fee structures, billing and tax procedures. Since…

I've not done much app development as a solo dev, but hasn't it been the case for many years now that Android has supported multiple app stores? Is this a problem for developers of Android apps?

Re: Apple must open iPadOS to sideloading within 6 months, EU says

#95

Post by whywhywhywhy »

tomashubelbauer wrote: post #84

I am happy to see Apple's arm twisted, but disappointed the demand is to allow alternative app stores and not user-facing side-loading. In my view, having only the official Apple App Store is just fine as long as Apple also adds the ability to install an app off an unsigned IPA file for free. With that, users would be free to install apps that Apple don't deem fit for the app store, giving them the freedom to use the…

It would need to be signed so there would be a way to disable it if needed.

This is essentially the same on MacOS now if you distribute, things built without signature at all only open on the machine they were built, you need to provide even a self signature to get it to open with a warning on another machine.

Re: Apple must open iPadOS to sideloading within 6 months, EU says

#96

Post by surgical_fire »

mullingitover wrote: post #52

EU seems like it’s just going to keep daring Apple to exit their market. I’m looking forward to their regulations requiring Apple to write open source drivers for the alternative operating system installs they’ll be required to allow.

I live in Europe, and that's something I would love to see happening.

While we are at it, let's hope Apple takes Google and Facebook along for the ride.

Re: Apple must open iPadOS to sideloading within 6 months, EU says

#97

Post by pantulis »

justinclift wrote: post #86
anileated wrote: post #80

Do I think side-loading and alt app stores would make iPads and iPhones more versatile devices? Yes. Do I believe indie devs will be worse off? Unfortunately, also yes. If you are a solo app developer, you will now have to keep presence on all app stores out there, since if you don’t publish on one then a copycat will. Every store would have its own review processes, fee structures, billing and tax procedures. Since…

> I believe Maybe give it some time to see how things shake out, before tying yourself to strong "beliefs" up front?

It's fair: beliefs are like that, you have them before seeing how things shake out.

Re: Apple must open iPadOS to sideloading within 6 months, EU says

#98

Post by mrighele »

anileated wrote: post #80

Do I think side-loading and alt app stores would make iPads and iPhones more versatile devices? Yes. Do I believe indie devs will be worse off? Unfortunately, also yes. If you are a solo app developer, you will now have to keep presence on all app stores out there, since if you don’t publish on one then a copycat will. Every store would have its own review processes, fee structures, billing and tax procedures. Since…

I disagree. First of all I expect competing stores to ask a smaller cut than what currently Apple asks (and Apple itself may lower it), so it may very well be the case even with a middleman the amount "lost" by the developer will be lower. Not a given though, I guess we will see.

Secondly, the Android ecosystem seems to be doing well even with the situation you describe. There are not that many competing stores (mostly from sellers of devices, like huawei, samsung, amazon, which is something will not happen with Apple devices), and piracy, while present is not as commons as with desktops.

Re: Apple must open iPadOS to sideloading within 6 months, EU says

#99

Post by 76SlashDolphin »

anileated wrote: post #80

Do I think side-loading and alt app stores would make iPads and iPhones more versatile devices? Yes. Do I believe indie devs will be worse off? Unfortunately, also yes. If you are a solo app developer, you will now have to keep presence on all app stores out there, since if you don’t publish on one then a copycat will. Every store would have its own review processes, fee structures, billing and tax procedures. Since…

Do you think sideloading hurts indie developers on Android? I believe that over time the situation on iOS will become identical to the one on Android - Google Play/the App Store will be the primary way to install apps for 99% of users since it's the default and has the biggest catalogue; some companies that are unhappy with Google Play/App Store fees will have an alternative store just for their apps (see Epic games), and advanced users will have an "advanced user" appstore with apps that either Apple/Google don't want to support or developed by people who don't want to pay a Google/Apple developer fees (i.e. mostly open-source hobbyist apps), along the lines of F-Droid. It appears the iOS equivalent of that will be AltStore.

If that's what happens then I see no way for this to be bad for indie devs - the ones who want to write a paid app and can afford the upfront capital to publish can still do so on the store with 99% of users, while those who don't have the capital or don't want to publish paid apps now have the option of going with AltStore.

This is what I hope happens at least, as I am a big fan of Apple hardware but absolutely despise how its software treats me like a baby. If Android can allow for more freedom without compromising security by hiding advanced features behind several scary menus and parental controls then I don't see why Apple can't have the same.

Re: Apple must open iPadOS to sideloading within 6 months, EU says

#100

Post by pjerem »

anileated wrote: post #80

Do I think side-loading and alt app stores would make iPads and iPhones more versatile devices? Yes. Do I believe indie devs will be worse off? Unfortunately, also yes. If you are a solo app developer, you will now have to keep presence on all app stores out there, since if you don’t publish on one then a copycat will. Every store would have its own review processes, fee structures, billing and tax procedures. Since…

This is already mitigated with copyright laws.

If a copycat is using your brand, you’ll have zero issue removing them from any App Store. If a copycat is just copying your app, well, that’s called a competitor.

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