The EU doesn't care how many apps are deployed outside of the app store. Even if zero are sideloaded it isn't the point. The point is the consumer, and the app developer, should have that choice. It shouldn't be forced on them by Daddy Apple.
Only problem with that argument is that people lose the choice of a closed mobile ecosystem.
currently the choice is/was
1.). Open mobile ecosystem - android
2.). Closed mobile ecosystem - iPhone.
you increase the choice within iPhone but at the expense of the choice for the consumer of choosing a closed mobile ecosystem.
if you choose android and only use Google Play Store then you are still on an Open Mobile Ecosystem.
you call Apple the Daddy whilst ignoring the fact that the EU is now telling any users that chose Apple because of the closed mobile ecosytem that their opinion and choice doesn’t matter and that even though they chose and paid for a closed mobile ecosystem they can no longer have it. They are forcing an open mobile ecosystem onto consumers that chose a closed mobile ecosystem.
they say this about consumer choice however is only for consumers that already made the choice to purchase an iPhone, whilst stripping the Choice for consumers who want and choose to buy a closed mobile.
if apple is the daddy in saying if you CHOOSE to buy an iPhone it is locked down then what is the EU in saying we are going to REMOVE your choice of a closed system completely.
you can say i don’t have to use the alt app stores, alt payment, side loading however they are still there and make the system an open mobile ecosystem, whereas I specifically chose Apple due to its closed nature.
prior to the EU’s actions then consumers could weigh up Apples close system, vs androids open system and make a choice to purchase an iPhone or buy an alternative.
if people don’t like the closed mobile ecosystem that apple offers then the consumer has a choice not to purchase it. Of course they may decide that whilst they don’t like the closed system, then the downsides to android outweigh the closed system, however that is for the consumer to choose surely.
devs have a choice not to develop for iOS, however figures show that iOS users spend more money on apps then android users hence why apple gets way more of the app revenue then android mobile companies do. this is why devs want to target iOS as more chance that the consumers will purchase and spend money on the app.
people say that apple needs the devs in which case if devs stop developing for iOS then short term they will take a hit however if the apps are not their for iOS then consumers will surely stop purchasing iPhones and so Apple will give them devs better terms to get them to develop on iOS.
after all Apple cannot force devs to develop apps for iPhone can they.
if the people that would have bought iPhones then buy android then will, they still not buy the App on Android instead of having purchased on iPhone.
for the developer surely that is win/win as the consumer will purchase their app anyway.