Apple Executive Says Users Who Want App Sideloading Already Have That Option With Other Platforms

[ian87w]

Looking at these comments, it's as if people feel like if Sideloading was enabled on their phone, they wouldn't have a choice to use it or not. It would be somehow forced onto them. As if somehow, if Sideloading was available, and they didn't use it, their phone would be magically less secure. Not very smart people.

Looking at these comments, it's as if people feel like Android doesn't exist, that iOS has to be forced to accept sideloading.

Are you sure you're the smart one?

 

[Jaymes]

You keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means. Perhaps slipshod would be more appropriate.

No I think the poster legitimately means rigorous. If you have ever attempted to submit an app to Apple for review, it can be a real pain in the rump. On average, we have to resubmit 2-3 times to get any new apps approved. It is literally rigorous, typically 7-10 days for us. Not sure where you would get "slipshod" from ... if you want to see slipshod, submit to Google Play store. You get approved in 10 minutes. I have done both multiple times. Google only reviews an app if someone reports it as suspicious.

 

[ian87w]

Right... so 2 choices is "real choice"... such a free market.

So you want "1" choice then, aka iOS becoming just like Android?

 

[Syk]

Luckily, for me (as a European user) the EU will throw out this monopolistic strategy of Apple sooner or later.

There is simply no way that Apple's current position is regarded as an open or free market. With the iPhone, Apple created an ecosystem that has forever been used by 3rd-party app providers. And in this regard, Apple is violating the principles of an open, fair and unbiased market.

This would be like you're an electricity provider, and you require all your customers to only use the wall sockets you sell. This is not a plain field for all other competitors of wall sockets. The same is true for the App Store: As long as Apple is providing apps themselves and competing in this regard with other developers, it should not be allowed to leverage the own market to gain an unfair advantage.

Are there other electric providers that will offer you their electricity that don't require the use of their wall sockets and services priced the same as the other company?

 

[Canezmd]

It's so funny, I only use Mac. MacBooks, iMacs, apple watches, iPhones... that's all I use. And I've probably bought more of them than 90% of the people on this site. But these forums are so in-love with anything that apple says that it's almost unbelievable.

If Tim Cook turned around and said that real privacy was selling all apple users data to a Chinese firm for safe keeping... I think at least half the folks on this site would be all for it and defend the decision.

 

[MauiPa]

honestly, the lock down of iOS devices to only the App store does speak more of control and monetary policy than purely technical.

The only thing getting in the way of your statement being true, are like facts. Imagine a third party "App Store" where you can advertise your apps and have your own payment system, you know like Epic's vbucks, or Spotify's subscription service, or a validation code/account setup. the customer finds, initiates service and then links to App Store to download - oops bypasses the App Store all the way, but oh, the customer could initiate the service directly from the App Store - because, rules, but doesn't have to. Case in point - spotify. All advertisement and payment processing done in someone else's App Store for their 30% cut (let the market decide - you know - Capitalism) . So......? sorry your argument just crashed

 

[Canezmd]

Are there other electric providers that offer will offer you their electricity that don't require the use of their wall sockets and services priced the same as the other company?

You guys do see how your whole line of thought just proves apple's monopoly/duopoly power right? Which means they either need to be broken up or heavily regulated as if they were a utility. (cause they actually are a utility right now.)

 

[ian87w]

It's so funny, I only use Mac. MacBooks, iMacs, apple watches, iPhones... that's all I use. And I've probably bought more of them than 90% of the people on this site. But these forums are so in-love with anything that apple says that it's almost unbelievable.

If Tim Cook turned around and said that real privacy was selling all apple users data to a Chinese firm for safe keeping... I think at least half the folks on this site would be all for it and defend the decision.

Wait wait wait. So you are willing to spend the money and use all Apple products despite your concern of Tim Cook selling your data to the Chinese?

 

[MauiPa]

I hate Droid with a passion but it should still be user choice what they install on there device. whether sideloaded or thru the App Store

I know, right, there is such a shortage of apps on the App Store, developers just can't stand to write apps for iOS.

 

[Lolhaxsor]

Which, to me, seems like the best situation. I know if I NEEDED a phone to do a thing and it didn’t do it, I’d keep looking until I found a phone that did. Settling for anything less wouldn’t even be an option if it was a real need.

True, I used to have access to the files via a direct server. I’m waiting on the DMA passes if this doesn’t allow 3rd party apps either the Samsung 22 ultra or the xiaomi mix 4 will be an ideal replacement. Apple need to remember what happened to blackberry and Nokia they were made obsolete, since Steve Jobs left Apple there has been little innovation I feel apple need to replace Tim Cook.

 

[MauiPa]

Looking at these comments, it's as if people feel like if Sideloading was enabled on their phone, they wouldn't have a choice to use it or not. It would be somehow forced onto them. As if somehow, if Sideloading was available, and they didn't use it, their phone would be magically less secure. Not very smart people.

Did you think this through before posting? Because your phone has all sorts of information and access to other people's information and the findMy network. It is not just about you side loading a hack attack

 

[rp100]

Luckily, for me (as a European user) the EU will throw out this monopolistic strategy of Apple sooner or later.

There is simply no way that Apple's current position is regarded as an open or free market. With the iPhone, Apple created an ecosystem that has forever been used by 3rd-party app providers. And in this regard, Apple is violating the principles of an open, fair and unbiased market.

This would be like you're an electricity provider, and you require all your customers to only use the wall sockets you sell. This is not a plain field for all other competitors of wall sockets. The same is true for the App Store: As long as Apple is providing apps themselves and competing in this regard with other developers, it should not be allowed to leverage the own market to gain an unfair advantage.

There is only one electric provider to a house. And, in most jurisdictions in the USA there are laws that explicitly forbid new cable TV/internet competition from entering the market. That is a legally upheld monopoly with no suitable alternative (Starlink may prove otherwise).

Contrast that situation (which is actually harming customers) with side-loading apps on an iPhone. In less than 15 minutes I can leave home, buy a new Android device, return home, and have it configured with Google happily syphoning my life’s info from a new device.

 

[cknibbs]

Huge reason we use Apple in this house is because of security and privacy. All side loading does is help the big developers anyways. It’s not going to help the small ones who need the “foot traffic” from the App Store. I would like to see a more tiered approach. Smaller developers pay less and larger developers pay more. I don’t have an issue with first year subscriptions being 30% and then 15% after. Honestly games geared towards young kids shouldn’t even have V-Bucks or whatever. That is preying on the gullibility of the young IMHO. That is what the EU should be looking at.

 

[contacos]

When I had an Android device, I had to do some rather random combination of the volume buttons to activate the "developer" menu and thus being able to allow side loading, which also included a warning if you do so. Apple could just do something similar, I am sure 80 % wouldn't do it, just like no one in my family even knows their iPad has multi tasking features with those "hidden" gestures. However, we all know why Apple would never do that. It is not as much about security, as it is about money.

 

[IllinoisCorn]

"Sideloading in this case is actually eliminating choice"

Lol. Look, I don't care about side loading applications. I don't think there are any issues with Apple's App policy.

I do care about being gaslit, and this is gaslighting. "Eliminating choice." GTFO.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

It would be somehow forced onto them. As if somehow, if Sideloading was available, and they didn't use it, their phone would be magically less secure. Not very smart people.

Not forced on them BUT exposed to the potentially disastrous effects. Ever watched any of those scam videos? Right now, if they call someone and that person has an iPad, there’s very little they can do to get that person to make themselves vulnerable. With a Mac, it’s “Run this app from this site and click OK.” and there goes your money.

 

[DNichter]

I agree with this sentiment. As a consumer, if you want that freedom - you have your choice of platform. Apple's platform does things differently for the benefit of the consumer and their business model.

 

[rippley5150]

At one point in time could you not side load apps onto ios devices using xcode?

 

[YanniDepp]

The problem with Apple's stance is that you can't use any app on your phone if Apple doesn't think the content is OK. That's very annoying for certain groups in society.

There's a gay dating app for dudes who are a bit kinky. Leather, latex, being tied up, things like that. On iOS devices, they've had to restrict the app. You can't look at the photos on anyone's dating profile because "they may contain adult content". What's the point in a dating app where you can't look at pictures?

The Google Play store has the same rules, but Android devices allow app sideloading. The dating site gives you an APK you can side load onto your phone and it does let you look at pictures and do everything else.

I get that "a lot of people won't want smut on their phones" and "protect the children" and all that, but I'm a 35 year old man and I'd like to see what "leatherdaddy42" looks like. Who are Apple to decide I can't do that on my iPhone that I paid $1,000 for?

And when a friend sends me a link to porn he thinks is hot, Telegram on iOS says "you can't view this on your device because it may contain adult content". Yeah, I know it probably does. This friend is a dirty so-and-so. I'm 35 years old and I'd like to see it please Apple.

 

[ian87w]

I hate Droid with a passion but it should still be user choice what they install on there device. whether sideloaded or thru the App Store

And that choice is given when you pick Android. That's the funny thing. Why pick iOS knowing that it's a walled garden if you want an open platform?

 

[Spanky Deluxe]

Apple could easily create a safe way to side load apps, with some kind of secure enclave where they can't interact with anything else on the phone unless you gave it permission and so that they can't install anything (so no other app stores). Unfortunately, they're likely taking such a hard stance on it because if they crack their walled garden just a bit then it'll give a way for the whole thing to be ruined. I.e. if they did allow side loading, then EA will say "it's unfair, we can't install other apps from our store even though we can side load an app" then "it's unfair, our store should be given as an option for preinstallation" and before you know it, iPhones will be cluttered with dodgy stores that can install apps with access to everything. If Apple gives an inch, hostile parties will take a mile. Which is a real shame though because I'd quite like an inch, especially on my iPad where I'd love to be able to side load the occasional app like ScummVM.

 

[perezr10]

Looking at these comments, it's as if people feel like if Sideloading was enabled on their phone, they wouldn't have a choice to use it or not. It would be somehow forced onto them. As if somehow, if Sideloading was available, and they didn't use it, their phone would be magically less secure. Not very smart people.

Hey Genius, the problem will be the newly built back doors that make side loading possible. That will affect everybody.

The problem isn’t sideloading the apps that you want. It’s the apps that try to sneak in.

 

[FrozenInferno]

Even if they do allow side loading it wouldn’t be force upon on those that don’t want it. So I don’t get why those people are crying about lol

Im wondering the same. I’ve got no need for sideloading and won’t use my device any differently if it was available so life goes on for me.

One thing I can think of is there are a lot of people, especially around here, who are heavily invested in Apple and all the perceptions that come with it. They’ve probably spent years telling friends and family how secure and safe iOS is. If headlines start appearing about iPhones getting hacked left and right that makes the brand look bad and would lead to people asking “I thought you said iPhones couldn’t get hacked?” They may not know anything about sideloading or understand the difference, but they understand a negative headline and the way it can change someone’s perception.

Apple works harder than almost anyone to maintain a consistent and positive image. Their worst nightmare would be getting forced into operating in the Wild West of free and open software. Sideloading is one step into that world and I’m not surprised it would terrify them.

 

[true god]

That's actually a sound advice.

 

[blazerunner]

Looking at these comments, it's as if people feel like if Sideloading was enabled on their phone, they wouldn't have a choice to use it or not. It would be somehow forced onto them. As if somehow, if Sideloading was available, and they didn't use it, their phone would be magically less secure. Not very smart people.

Bingo.

Its disgusting what the Apple doctrine has done to people's rational thinking.