"Also, once a developer has produced their iOS-based product - they are forced to sell through one marketplace"
They know that going in. Nobody's putting a gun to their head and forcing them to write iOS apps. If they finish their app and only then figure this out, they're too stupid to be writing software.
Sure, but still, they know up front that they are essentially dependent on Apple's good graces. They know it's the App Store or nothing.
It's a risk. But then, there's also a risk that someone else will put out a better equivalent app first and win all the mindshare. Or that many different equivalent apps will ship first, and their app will have a hard time getting noticed.
Well, I suppose this is essentially what I'm arguing for:
I think that this situation is less than desirable. Apple (and corporations in general) shouldn't be able to artificially influence how a (sub)market functions.
If this is accepted, I think the only logical way to stop these situations from occurring is via legislation or regulation.
It's not an ideal solution, but then - the alternative (of doing nothing) is even less ideal in my opinion.
They know that going in. Nobody's putting a gun to their head and forcing them to write iOS apps. If they finish their app and only then figure this out, they're too stupid to be writing software.