In this case they have no choice. If you want to sell applications that run on Apple devices, you must sell them on Apple's store. Doesn't matter where they host their software and servers.
There is no historical mainstream analog since desktop/laptop OS software has never been so locked-down that it was impossible to install software without 1st-party permission. Even early videogame consoles had unlicensed games run on them, and the console vendors could only stop them by releasing new hardware.
Once upon a time, there was a certain large and innovative American technology company. It invented incredible hardware devices, which it sold to end users. Each device was programmed to connect to this company's network, and to access services provided by this company.
A large and growing ecosystem of applications and services grew around the network which this American company controlled, and the network became central to the American economy [1].
Other businesses had to connect to this company's network, so that they could reach the company's many end users. But the company jealously guarded its end users, inflicting onerous burdens on competitors, or disconnecting them entirely [2].
That company, the American Telephone and Telegraph company, was eventually dissolved by the US Department of Justice due to charges filed under the Sherman Antitrust Act [3].
Anyway, what were we talking about? Oh, right, there aren't any historical analogs to the App Store. Apple is a bastion of innovation and an important defender of privacy rights, and I can't imagine that its management would ever recklessly endanger that by running afoul of antitrust law.
I feel like making Apple devices and Apple's store seem like two separate things doesn't really make sense. The whole entire phone top to bottom is Apple's store. The "App Store" is just a pretty downloader.
Apple should just be as draconian as possible so that more people will voluntarily put in the effort to learn how to build and consume open platforms.
If people don't want to do that, that's on them.
If Epic doesn't want to invest in an open cell phone platform that can run Epic binaries, then its only options are to beg the government for help, or to take Apple's bs on the chin
Then you haven't been paying attention. Apple at least has competition. ICANN is a government supported monopoly that has been systematically taken over by robber barons.
Apple is a government supported legal monopoly due to patents, licences and copyrights, so are many others, but they are too.
If Apple wasn't both the largest US phone maker and a legal monopoly, their behavior would not be as problematic, as you could (at least in theory, probably in practice too) sell other hardware to run ios/macos, or resell legally obtained, and modified software without Apple restrictions.
Whether their behavior is acceptable or not must be framed in a much larger picture. Companies are given legal rights by virtue of expectations of that being the best for society, and that's the metric that companies should be measured against.
Would it be good, and acceptable for society if all technology vendors/brands acted exactly as Apple regarding the App Store?
It's quite easy to answer that with a no, since clearly tying many frequnt small purchases indefinitely to a bigger purchase is not something that can ever increase competition. As it will form a less effective market, it can't be said to be desirable.
>as you could (at least in theory, probably in practice too) sell other hardware to run ios/macos, or resell legally obtained, and modified software without Apple restrictions.
This wasn't true when Apple was a small fry so why would it be true when they are the largest US phone maker?
> App stores give you incredible access to new users. You literally don’t have a way to get unto iOS devices w/o the App Store.
They give you "incredible access" because they're basically the only access. Their OSes would be complete flops if app stores were the only option and nobody would use them...
Dreaming of a world where everyone can press a button and buy a flashed phone with an open standards operating system much like I can do on most laptops with Linux
> You literally don’t have a way to get unto iOS devices w/o the App Store.
Yes, and that's the problem that needs solving. If Apple allowed sideloading apps, every single of their justifications about App Store rules would start making sense. You either pay 30% and get a nice listing and discoverability, or you pay nothing but are completely on your own.
Or, you know, go to Android with 70%+ global market share.[1]
If you really want to make a radio for Lamborghini's, but they say no, then you go to a different manufacturer. "oh but Lambo owners have so much spend/revenue per owner" doesn't really hold water.
This is less weird that it might seem on the surface. If you've ever commissioned an expensive peiece of art there's usually a line in the contract that says something to the effect of "if the art is damaged, you will give $artist preference for repair" because if you get it shoddily fixed it looks bad on them.
I said it many times and I'll say it again: it's not a choice you get to make as a company or an individual that has a service that needs an app. If you're to have any semblance of success, you can't only have an Android app.
As far as my personal preferences go, I use Android since 2011 and can't fathom switching to iOS.
You mean what happended to the days of getjar.com where you can develop and upload whatever J2ME smartphone app without an overlord dictating the rules and enforcing a large cut of your revenues? I miss those days.
Unfortunately, Apple is going to continue this nonsense unless people stop buying into their reality distortion spells.
How can this thought persist in a world where everyone is supposedly more tech savvy than ever?
Seems like those that wish to use Apple (consumers, Epic) should either deal with the consequences, beg the government for help, or build their own open standard.
For me I lean towards building the open standard and teaching people how to use it. The App Store is for the lazy.
Why would anyone want to risk being deplatformed? I trust ICANN more than I trust Apple and ${CLOUD_PROVIDER}