AltStore Pal Now Free Thanks to 'MegaGrant' From Epic Games

[I7guy]

Apple owns the App Store but does not own the iOS apps (other than Safari, Keynote, Numbers, Pages, GarageBand, etc.) nor do they own the alternative app stores like AltStore PAL, Mobivention Marketplace, Setapp Mobile, etc. The alternative iOS app store/distribution market is what was created once Apple stopped unfairly blocking (at least in the EU so far) that market from being able to exist.




It was anticompetitive in the EU which is why alternative iOS app stores are now being allowed. Potential rulings/decisions in other countries are still up in the air.

As said in many other places devs contract with apple to distribute their digital assets. No different than manufacturers contracting with Costco. Of course rulings like the dma that’s cut so narrow catches apple and regulates their business to all comers on a “Robin Hood” fashion.

 

[Funny Apple Man]

Its obvious that Epic did this out of spite, but credit where credit is due for helping these alternative app stores out.

And to anyone calling alternative app stores a "security nightmare", no one is forcing you to install apps from them.

 

[webkit]

As said in many other places devs contract with apple to distribute their digital assets. No different than manufacturers contracting with Costco. Of course rulings like the dma that’s cut so narrow catches apple and regulates their business to all comers on a “Robin Hood” fashion.

The difference is that Costco doesn't have control of the product distribution market to the degree that Apple has control of the apps distribution market.

 

[I7guy]

The difference is that Costco doesn't have control of the product distribution market to the degree that Apple has control of the apps distribution market.

The difference is devs opt in to a system that has been in place for a while and hasn’t been found to be monopolistic or anticompetitive to this juncture.

 

[webkit]

The difference is devs opt in to a system that has been in place for a while and hasn’t been found to be monopolistic or anticompetitive to this juncture.

No, a difference regarding Costco vs Apple is that Costco doesn't have control of the product distribution market to the degree that Apple has control of the apps distribution market.

Apple has already been declared a gatekeeper in the EU. A U.S. District judge in California in 2021 did rule Apple engaged in anticompetitive behavior regarding its app store. As far as whether they are monopolistic or engaging in anticompetitive behavior elsewhere, that remains to be seen and can take years.

 

[I7guy]

No, a difference regarding Costco vs Apple is that Costco doesn't have control of the product distribution market to the degree that Apple has control of the apps distribution market.

That being said, there is no finding that says the iOS app distribution is a problem.

Apple has already been declared a gatekeeper in the EU.

Right, it’s true. But the eu had to work very hard in order to thread that needle.

A U.S. District judge in California in 2021 did rule Apple engaged in anticompetitive behavior regarding its app store.

What exactly was that one finding?

As far as whether they are monopolistic or engaging in anticompetitive behavior elsewhere, that remains to be seen and can take years.

Sure enough.

 

[webkit]

What exactly was that one finding?

The finding was that Apple engaged in anticompetitive behavior through anti-steering practices where they had prohibited app developers from informing customers about ways to pay for their apps and subscriptions outside of the App Store.

 

[I7guy]

The finding was that Apple engaged in anticompetitive behavior through anti-steering practices where they had prohibited app developers from informing customers about ways to pay for their apps and subscriptions outside of the App Store.

That was it. Out of the 9 or 10 points that was it.