Alternative iOS App Stores Only Work for 'Grace Period' When Traveling Outside of EU

[steve09090]

Yes, 90 would be fairly reasonable, but it could be as little as 14.

However, it could all be solved by allowing updates irrespective of location or time.

Yes but that’s not the way it is… I can live with it. And there is no point in people crying about it.

 

[darngooddesign]

The article states no more updates after the “grace period”.
”Apps you installed from alternative app marketplaces will continue to function, but they can't be updated by the marketplace you downloaded them from.”
So while not technically deleting my app, a system update during that period could brake an app and I could not update it to make it work again from the store i bought it from. This is ridiculous.

Unless you are working long-term, in which scenario do you expect to be away from the EU for more than 3 months?

 

[Beautyspin]

Apple have never been 'full' of scam apps. They had a few that got through and that were found and kicked out. But make up stuff if that’s your bag.

If an alternative App Store has to be better than Apple to survive (a very odd and simplistic metric), they are doomed already. But I’m done with the BS coming from the Apple haters, so we’re done here.

Clearly you think Alternative Apple stores are safe as houses. Enjoy your malware.

Search for "scam apps on the iPhone Appstore." Whenever a scam app is found, you cannot do anything but hope that Apple takes it down, because you do not have an option to go to any other Appstore. Whereas if a scam app is found on the alt Appstore, people will leave the Appstore in droves. They have to be better to survive. In fact, due to the alt appstores, even Apple's Appstore has to do better otherwise, people might choose the others.
Apple has almost 2 million apps, the alt Appstores will have a fraction of them and hence can do the policing better.

 

[j26]

Unless you are working long-term, in which scenario do you expect to be away from the EU for more than 3 months?

Students and cargo shipping come to mind.

 

[RigSatMe]

This is best decision from Apple!
Don’t stop here! Once EU iOS user leaves EU, an alternative marketplace should be disable immediately over GPS and GSM connection whichever comes first!

 

[RigSatMe]

Apple please totally disable apps from alternative market, ones EU is left, please!

 

[VulchR]

...

Users that don't want to install one of these 3rd-party stores, including me, have the CHOICE not to.

...

Until some app you need for work or that is essential for a hobby or past-time is no longer available in the App Store. Then, at a minimum, you will be spreading you credit card details around multiple companies rather than just one.

I guarantee you as well that the app prices won't go done when this happens. Developers will just pocket the amount they used to give to Apple. And get used to a lot more subscriptions...

 

[Shirasaki]

Well, Apple does a lot of datamining. Its veneer of privacy is just to ensure others do not have access to the same data that they have. Apple thinks the entire ecosystem is its fiefdom and acts accordingly. Its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) is just to boost its own ad business. Apple cares about privacy as long as it gets money for itself.

Apple's privacy changes helped boost its own ads business

Apple's App Tracking Transparency, or ATT, reached mass adoption in June 2021, allowing for a comparative year-over-year analysis

techcrunch.com

This is what apple‘s care About privacy all about: for their own gain. I’ve been pointing this out several times that the only reason apple doesn’t want other companies to track their users because of how valuable their users tend to be: pays more on device, pays more on inapp purchases, and so on. With a couple PR stunts loads of people falls for it.

With That being said, users themselves are individual Entities that apple cannot fully control. And there’s nothing apple can do if they also spend money on Microsoft store, Amazon store etc etc. But if last time I see people threatening to quit netflix forever if they can’t pay using apple billing system, Id say there Are still tons of people believing what Apple has claimed in the past, whether apple actually did or not.

 

[I7guy]

Well, Apple does a lot of datamining. Its veneer of privacy is just to ensure others do not have access to the same data that they have. Apple thinks the entire ecosystem is its fiefdom and acts accordingly. Its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) is just to boost its own ad business. Apple cares about privacy as long as it gets money for itself.

Apple's privacy changes helped boost its own ads business

Apple's App Tracking Transparency, or ATT, reached mass adoption in June 2021, allowing for a comparative year-over-year analysis

techcrunch.com

Sure apple datamines. How do you expect to have an apple experience otherwise? Other than that I disagree with the remainder of your “opinions”. I don’t care that apple mines my data as long as third parties do not benefit.

 

[jlc1978]

For instance, If MacPaw (which is planning to open an app store)

As I understand it, they're planning to expand their subscription SetApp service on iOS. You'll pay a monthly fee and get access to a selected set of iOS apps; the new DMA rules will allow them to expand their iOS offering beyond the current set.

Really interesting to see how long the Spotify issue was going on.

What Spotify fails to point out is they gained access to a huge user base via the App Store, and since you could always subscribe outside of it many of their iOS users didn't cost them any commission to Apple. IIRC, Apple's cut goes down after a year, something Spotify conveniently left out of the timeline. Spotify is not some poor victim in this battle.

I have worked in the computer software industry for 30+ years and we had to give a minimum of 30% discount to resellers to sell our software. If we went through a large distributer it could be up to 60%.

That's why this whole "Apple Tax" nomenclature is nothing but a way to try to generate sympathy. If EPIC, Spotify, et. al. said "We want free access to Apple's App Store," they likely would get a far different reaction.

Apple and developers are in a symbiotic relationship, both need each other to be successful and each needs to profit from the relationship.

Even if Apple had reduced their commission to say 10% the likes of Spotify and Epic would have still complained.

Exactly, they just want unlimited no cost access to Apple's iOS user base beyond the tiny developer fee. I suspect if they were forced to open up their platforms the screaming would be loud and long about the unfairness of it.

I guarantee you as well that the app prices won't go done when this happens. Developers will just pocket the amount they used to give to Apple. And get used to a lot more subscriptions...

We saw just that when Apple reduced the fees for small developers who simply pocketed the windfall; and I suspect of piracy becomes an issue with sideloading you'll see more subscription based apps, in the EU at least. Which would be kind of ironic if EU iOS users wind up with subscriptions and the rest of the world can still buy apps.

 

[Beautyspin]

As I understand it, they're planning to expand their subscription SetApp service on iOS. You'll pay a monthly fee and get access to a selected set of iOS apps; the new DMA rules will allow them to expand their iOS offering beyond the current set.

Nope. They will open a new app marketplace in the EU.

This third-party iOS app store will be available in Europe this week.

[Image: The DMA is forcing Apple to open up its iOS platform to third-party app distributors in the EU. https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25319026/1709549833167.jpeg?quality=90&strip=all] German IT service provider Mobivention will launch...

www.theverge.com

 

[Beautyspin]

Sure apple datamines. How do you expect to have an apple experience otherwise? Other than that I disagree with the remainder of your “opinions”. I don’t care that apple mines my data as long as third parties do not benefit.

There may be many who mind that Apple mines their data and they get nothing in return. At least, in case of Google, they get something free in exchange for their data.

 

[iOS Geek]

And get used to a lot more subscriptions...

Yep. And if I'm not mistaken, one of the first alternate app stores...is subscription based to even USE the app store itself...

 

[jlc1978]

Nope. They will open a new app marketplace in the EU.

This third-party iOS app store will be available in Europe this week.

[Image: The DMA is forcing Apple to open up its iOS platform to third-party app distributors in the EU. https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25319026/1709549833167.jpeg?quality=90&strip=all] German IT service provider Mobivention will launch...

www.theverge.com

Mobivention is a different company than MacPaw, who already has SetApp for the Mac and a limited set of iOS apps. MacPaw is using Apple's new terms to create a bundle of apps for a monthly subscription via SetApp. I use it on the Mac because it's cheaper than buying/subscribing to apps I regularly use. It will be interesting to see which apps will be in the iOS bundle and pricing.

Yep. And if I'm not mistaken, one of the first alternate app stores...is subscription based to even USE the app store itself...

While news outlets are calling it an alternative app store, SetApp is not a store but simply a subscription service that grants access to a set of apps; much like say Apple News gives you access to a variety of news outlets and magazines.

 

[UliBaer]

...Spotify is not some poor victim in this battle.

But Apple is?!

 

[jlc1978]

But Apple is?!

Neither side is a victim. Both are sides are corporations battling over money. EPIC, Spotify et. al. want a free ride on Apple's App Store, and Apple wants to tightly control iOS. Nothing but free access will satisfy EPIC, Spotify et. al.; and Apple will work to find ways to maintain as tight a control as possible.

 

[Mother Nature]

To complain about how terrible Apple is and validate their android purchase, of course.

Maybe they purchase an Android phone but they just can't get over iPhone, so they keep coming back to read the news...

 

[GraXXoR]

I hate those stupid, useless eurocrats who get to decide what colour my toilet paper must be, or which hand I am allowed to use to scratch my nose, or how many times a day I am allowed to sneeze.

Need any more straw for that GIANT-ass man you erected?

 

[Beautyspin]

Mobivention is a different company than MacPaw, who already has SetApp for the Mac and a limited set of iOS apps. MacPaw is using Apple's new terms to create a bundle of apps for a monthly subscription via SetApp. I use it on the Mac because it's cheaper than buying/subscribing to apps I regularly use. It will be interesting to see which apps will be in the iOS bundle and pricing.



While news outlets are calling it an alternative app store, SetApp is not a store but simply a subscription service that grants access to a set of apps; much like say Apple News gives you access to a variety of news outlets and magazines.

As per the article, Mobivention is going to beat MacPaw and Epic in setting up App Marketplace. I know setapp is a subscription for a group of apps currently. MacPaw wants to change that and set up a marketplace. This is all over the news. It was there even on MR. Not sure why you keep arguing about it.

Setapp Will Be One of iPhone's First Alternative App Marketplaces in EU

MacPaw today announced that Setapp will be available as an alternative app marketplace on the iPhone in the EU starting in April. Those wanting...

www.macrumors.com

 

[Beautyspin]

Mobivention is a different company than MacPaw, who already has SetApp for the Mac and a limited set of iOS apps. MacPaw is using Apple's new terms to create a bundle of apps for a monthly subscription via SetApp. I use it on the Mac because it's cheaper than buying/subscribing to apps I regularly use. It will be interesting to see which apps will be in the iOS bundle and pricing.



While news outlets are calling it an alternative app store, SetApp is not a store but simply a subscription service that grants access to a set of apps; much like say Apple News gives you access to a variety of news outlets and magazines.

Mobivention is an Appstore for corporate customers and has nothing to do with SetApp.

mobivention revolutionises the distribution of iOS apps in the EU with an authorised alternative app marketplace

mobivention launches the mobivention App Marketplace, an innovative platform for the distribution of iOS apps in the EU

mobivention.com

 

[FineWoven]

Already beat you to it. 20-year Apple user here; tossed it all. Their true colors are loudly on display these past few years.

So what you're saying is you ditched one side of the worldwide duopoly for the other side? How stunning and brave.

Do please come and report back to us when you switch sides again after Google/Microsoft inevitably exhibit similar practices. Because unless you've gone hardcore and built your own computer and exclusively run Linux on it and went back to a flip phone from 20 years ago, this is just empty virtue signaling and nothing more.

 

[darngooddesign]

You’re right. Workers and Students would be affected.

 

[hagar]

Hate to break it to you, but the laws of your home country don't always apply to you when you're outside of it. There's a lot of things Americans can do in the US but wouldn't get away with in other countries...and vice versa. Being a citizen of a country doesn't mean you can do the same things elsewhere on the planet that you could do at home. When you go somewhere, you are subject to that somewhere's laws. Heck, take drinking age as an example. The legal age to drink in some European countries...will get that same person in trouble in the US because we have different laws. Being a citizen of a country that has a drinking age of 18 means absolutely nothing here, where it's 21. Being an EU citizen won't save you from our underage drinking laws!

True. But this is about an app I purchased for a device I own. Basically Apple gets in the way and blocks this third party transaction and says no. It feels very borderline. Especially as they haven’t even bothered to set the grace period.

 

[MilaM]

True. But this is about an app I purchased for a device I own. Basically Apple gets in the way and blocks this third party transaction and says no. It feels very borderline. Especially as they haven’t even bothered to set the grace period.

It's not a good look to make your loyal customers suffer like this. This is similar to how they disabled all Web Apps on the home screen. They probably think they can get away with this, because they already did everything to make third-party stores less attractive. Either way, they are breaking a lot of porcelain behaving like this, in my opinion.

 

[jlc1978]

Mobivention is an Appstore for corporate customers and has nothing to do with SetApp.

mobivention revolutionises the distribution of iOS apps in the EU with an authorised alternative app marketplace

mobivention launches the mobivention App Marketplace, an innovative platform for the distribution of iOS apps in the EU

mobivention.com

I'm not sure what your point is as we are saying the same thing.

I pointed out in the very post you replied to that SetApp and Motivation are different companies. My original point was about SetApp, responding to a post where someone said you have to subscribe to SetApp before you can use their AppStore; pointing out SetApp is a subscription service that provides access to a set of apps via their app. It isn't an app store where you can buy apps like on Apple's.

The MacPaw announcement is showcases an expanded subscription based iOS SetApp:

For users, Setapp offers a unique experience with its single subscription service to a curated collection of premium macOS and iOS apps, streamlining software discovery and management. Users access a broad range of productivity, creativity, and system management tools, free from ads and in-app purchases. Updates are free, ensuring the latest versions and features are always available.

Do please come and report back to us when you switch sides again after Google/Microsoft inevitably exhibit similar practices.

Google already announced their new EU fee structure, which has some similarity with Apple's.

It's not a good look to make your loyal customers suffer like this. This is similar to how they disabled all Web Apps on the home screen. They probably think they can get away with this, because they already did everything to make third-party stores less attractive. Either way, they are breaking a lot of porcelain behaving like this, in my opinion.

I suspect Apple will wait and see how much this impacts their customers. I agree they could have implemented a better setup, but if only a small fraction of the user base is impacted Apple may ignore them.