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

[Unregistered 4U]

(cause they actually are a utility right now.)

I NEED electricity. I don’t need an iPhone. Even non-US countries that require you have a cell phone don’t require an iPhone, Android would do.

 

[grandchester]

There are tons of scam apps on the App Store costing users tens of millions of dollars all of which Apple still gets their 15-30% cut. Not saying they aren't trying to keep it safe but saying that it IS safe is misleading and gives users a false sense of security to just download anything with no consequences.

 

[Small White Car]

Such bs macOS has been doing fine for years. This is just fear mongering to protect their billion dollar cash cow.

As someone who maintains several Macs at my work, I can 100% say I don’t want to deal with any of that **** on my phone.

I’m grateful that iOS is not like MacOS.

I’m sorry you consider this opinion BS, but it’s true.

 

[sw1tcher]

Apple's head of user privacy, Erik Neuenschwander, said that opening the doors to sideloading apps on iPhone and iPad, which would enable users to download apps from the web and other app marketplaces besides Apple's App Store, could lead the user to be "tricked or duped" into "some dark alley."

🤣 iOS users don't need to sideload apps to get tricked or duped and get led into some dark alley.

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[blazerunner]

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

Why the hyperbole?

 

[MauiPa]

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

I think you misunderstand the extend the App Store has legal authority to review. It is not a police organization, nor a regulatory body, nor a forensic audit authority. It cannot for example check on the developer qualifications, legal history, or intents. It cannot do a copyright infringement review before hand. It must rely on the developers statements, and a review that the app does what it says it does and meets the App Store rules. There have been a lot of stories about apps with "hidden" features that were bad, bad intent from developers to steal from customers, and just plain misleading naming and design to fool customers to think it was another developer. None of these can actually be reviewed before hand unless super-blatant and stupidly done (which hackers are not).

So your claim of slipshod, does not actually fall under the realm of reason. Apple can remove apps once a legitimate and verifiable complaint is rendered. There are laws which govern copyright infringement, which weakly place the enforcement on the infringed party, so a "claim" may simply be too weak to be actionable.

Now if Congress really wanted to help, they could pass legislation allowing more rigorous inspection, and a way to clawback money from sleazy developers. And maybe some jail time?

 

[subi257]

I guess I just consider that technological darwinism

If you're following random instruction to toggle security settings on your phone and clicking through warnings around dangers to install XXXCasino, you're going to have other problems than side-loading risking your security.

So, do you read all of the verbiage that comes along with every app?

 

[MrJM]

Uh, no. It’s because of all the trouble with the Macs we’ve had over the years why my family appreciates iOS.

Not even close. I hate macOS and moved to an iPad because of that. Anyone who thinks macOS ”has been doing fine for years” in relation to malware lives in a bubble world and is oblivious to how normal people view it.

I’m a normal person who has used MacOS longer than I care to remember. I side load apps. Never had an issue with it whatsoever! It’s perfectly safe and secure provided you know what you’re installing and from where!

I would take a full blown computer/laptop system with a full OS over a blown up phone with essentially a phone OS.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

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.

I always ask, replace with who? Hopefully someone experienced with running at least a trillion dollar company?

Apple’s unit sales for iPhones have been decreasing over time because folks are finding them too expensive or finding Android phones more appealing. Apple has NEVER held a majority of the smartphone market worldwide and never will because Android does more. I like Apple products, but if they eventually disappear because they were unwilling to provide customers what they want, I’d just use my current products until they die. Apple doesn’t have to exist as a company for my world to be complete

 

[Stewie]

I honestly don’t understand the problem. Why not simply allow sideloading apps if enabled in System settings buried under several popups and warnings about possible consequences when enabling that option? Most people would probably leave the sideloading option disabled and the other ones probably know what they are doing and accept possible consequences or privacy violations.

The issue is that devs could take their apps out of the app store and now everyone that likes the wall garden is forced to sideload since that is the only place where X apps are now available.

 

[perezr10]

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.

Sideloading means that Apple needs to build a door into a wall. A wall that currently has no doors. Apple is worried that people may be able to break into that door. This is the issue that affects everyone.

Anone who thinks that sideloading only affects people who want to sideload is naive.

 

[Stewie]

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

When devs start removing their apps from the apps store to only be available via side loading, it will force people that don't want to do it to get those apps.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

It’s perfectly safe and secure provided you know what you’re installing and from where!

I would take a full blown computer/laptop system with a full OS over a blown up phone with essentially a phone OS.

Yes, and 99% of the population has no idea what they’re installing and from where. AND, it’s good that you’d take a full blown computer/laptop system with a full OS instead of settling for a blown up phone! This, actually, puts you in agreement with the Apple executive!

 

[MauiPa]

🤣 iOS users don't need to sideload apps to get tricked or duped and get led into some dark alley.

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While snarky, how do you suggest this be fixed? Legislation granting more authority for App Store curators to investigate copyrights, trademark infringements, legal history of developers? Yes a customer downloaded an app and was deceived by a crook - turning his funds over to the wrong company, anyway in your scheme of things, other than the customer to verify his own choices? A crystal ball to know that an app developer was a crook?

 

[vladimirc]

the arrogance of Apple and its executives is incredible

 

[Unregistered 4U]

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.

If scammers could figure out how to use those multitasking gestures to get people to hand over control of their iPad, you can BET that millions more would be “taught” how to do them by the end of the week… maybe even by tomorrow!

 

[Unregistered 4U]

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

You still can, but that would kill the argument, soooooooo.

 

[MauiPa]

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.

oh you are so right. apple is struggling, no one wants to purchase its phones, Macs, iPads, watches anymore. oh wait...aren't they like one of the most successful companies in history. Hmmmmm

 

[laptech]

Apple are resisting very hard to sideloading of app's and I cannot help but think it has something to do with iOS not being as secure as Apple would like people to believe. If Apple wrote iOS to the level where it could not be exploited then what has Apple got to be worried about. The fact that Apple keep going on about sideloading affecting security and privacy tells me that iOS has been written very poorly and it's only for the fact that Apple has control of iOS and the app store that any deficiencies in iOS have not been exposed but being able to sideload apps would.

If iOS is supposedly a very very secure platform then why is Apple worried about secuirty and privacy. Surely if someone was intent on doing mischief to the point of trying to exploit iOS, surely iOS should prevent such attempts from happening. Could it be Apple has fooled/conned everyone and iOS is not secure and being able to sideload apps would expose serious flaws in iOS that Apple has been able to keep hidden because they control everything.

 

[Lolhaxsor]

I’d say Elon musk but don’t think he’s got the time… Another one of Apples big mistakes was not buying Tesla, I can imagine Apple being a multi trillion dollar company right now if they had bought Tesla.

 

[MauiPa]

I want the best of the two worlds tho. I want a platform with great hardware, high quality apps and UI fluidity like iOS, combined with the openness and freedom of Android. Currently both OSes are compromises in some way for my use cases.

sounds like you should crowd source some funding and create your own platform

 

[Feyl]

This is a difficult topic. While I think Apple is absolutely right I also think the sideloading could be done if done right. Steve Jobs already said about privacy that it means that the user should be informed in plain english, even repeatedly about what happens on the device. I see no reason why it can't be possible with this too. On Mac we already have the toggle to switch App Store apps only or App Store and others. I believe any reasonable person would choose App Store if the desired app is on there anyway.

 

[Syk]

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.)

The person I quoted made the utility comment but you have other options for the same price. If no other phone was readily available to you then you would have a problem. Apple isn't the only game in town nor are Apples pricing different from most Android phones of that level.

Also Apple isn't a utility because they don't provide cellular service. Utilities are often the only game in town so you have no choice but to use their services
I'm free to buy another brand phone and use their OS.

 

[ipponrg]

The issue is that devs could take their apps out of the app store and now everyone that likes the wall garden is forced to sideload since that is the only place where X apps are now available.

I don’t think that is a real issue. I would imagine that every app is still sandboxed within Apple’s API ecosystem with the exception you can do payments thru 3rd party.

The real issue is that Apple loses control of how they monetize off apps. However believe it or not, most app devs are not malicious

 

[Silverstring]

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

You still can.

People dying for the ability to sideload can just pay the $99/yr Apple Developer Program Fee, and sideload to their heart's content.

Do they want it badly enough to pay? Seems not.