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Can you say beta? Haters will hate, but this sounds more like a beta feature that is still in process than any illicit action on apple's part. Remember when Microsoft used to have a secret API to make they applications work better than everyone else's? Well this is not the case here. Just hoping all the haters will take back their statements when the working API is released. LOL, not going to happen
How on earth is this beta functionality?

- The API is in a shipping, final public release build of IOS.
- The API is being used in a released-to-appstore version of Zoom for IOS.

What beta? What testing? This is already in the hands of the public.
 
Did Apple deny said use of those apis to other developers? Then it would be unfair.
It is Apple’s API, they do not have to let other developers use it. It may not be “fair” but that is life, many things are not “fair” or as my grandfather said “Fair happens twice a year - once in August and once in September! The County Fair and The State Fair!” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
 
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How on earth is this beta functionality?

- The API is in a shipping, final public release build of IOS.
- The API is being used in a released-to-appstore version of Zoom for IOS.

What beta? What testing? This is already in the hands of the public.
The OP probably was talking about unequal treatment of developers being a Beta feature. But he is wrong. This "feature" was released many years ago.
 
Yes, but that's really expected in any business operation; I honestly don't know where the line should fall, but it's expected that a business will provide 80-90% to everyone, and the remainder will be restricted to partners/internal to the company itself.

Maybe this comparison isn't the best, but say you own a restaurant; your competitor does much larger volumes, because of that, they get ingredients at a much lower price from the supplier; how is that fair? Your competitor has the advantage since they sell more?

How come Fortnite makes use of Unreal Engine features before they are public? Why do certain studios get access to Unreal Engine 5 before everyone else? Clearly, they're doing the same thing here; how come I don't get access to Unreal Engine 5 just because I want it right now?

I feel like Apple's line here likely falls on the testability of the API/the wide use case of the API/privacy implications of the API/how documented the API is, etc. By saying that, I mean I feel the API was probably not designed/ready for public use yet, and when the pandemic hit, Zoom reached out to Apple, and Apple decided to help Zoom use it, but maybe I'm completely wrong here. When a special exemption is granted, I don't think that should mean the API is instantly made public.
Yeah, I think that’s a good comparison you have there. Really, my issue here is that iPadOS shouldn’t have such a restriction in the first place (although I imagine there are security benefits too) but that’s a whole other discussion.
 
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A specific API to solve a specific issue during a time when the app in question became vital.

how the hell does that relate to in-app purchasing???
 
It probsbly is. You realize people are just using an undocumented api. People do it all the time. This is not the bombshell you think it is. As far i know others arent banned from using it.
Do you know for a fact that Apple has absolutely no access controls to the APIs? I mean, surely unallowed use of restricted APIs would be caught when being uploaded to the store. And even on a technical level these libs are not statically linked into program. So it makes sense that access controls are possible. One method would be that if you aren't signed as a developer who has access to them to not allow them to be loaded at run time.
 
They are pointing out that Apple allows some apps certain privileges that others do not have access to, and that Apple will bend their own rules based on arbitrary decisions.
Allowing access to something does not constitute bending or breaking a rule rather it’s based on trust and case by case basis I don’t understand why this is even a argument.
 
You lost me
Very clear to me. The narrower one defines the limit of equality the more there is disparity. The broader the definition the less there is inequality.
when you started saying “all devs are treated equally in that…” - so it’s not equality, even by business terms.
See above. It is equality in treatment. Smaller devs get perks, eg 15% vs 30%, that bigger devs don’t. Larger devs may command more attention. But none of that means that devs don’t get the same rights across the board.
 
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Allowing access to something does not constitute bending or breaking a rule rather it’s based on trust and case by case basis I don’t understand why this is even a argument.
Because controlling access to APIs such as these controls the relative quality of products in competition. It is straight forward anti-competitive behavior.
 
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I recommend AAPL kick off a weekly 1-hour App Dev-focused TV show, called "Tim & Phil," where the two answer questions by App Devs.

I predict it would quickly become the most popular Tech TV show !
 
Because controlling access to APIs such as these controls the relative quality of products in competition. It is straight forward anti-competitive behavior.
You are missing the point - Apple owns the API and they get to decide who gets access to it. If you feel Apple should just give the API to everyone then you probably think think that Apple should totally unlock iOS and give all of it to whoever wants to copy it.
 
You are missing the point - Apple owns the API and they get to decide who gets access to it. If you feel Apple should just give the API to everyone then you probably think think that Apple should totally unlock iOS and give all of it to whoever wants to copy it.
That’s a flawed slippery slope argument. They made an API, and decided not to document it (yet), and only allow Zoom to use it (so far). It’s unclear what their next step is. Do they intend to roll it out in iOS 15?
 
You are missing the point - Apple owns the API and they get to decide who gets access to it. If you feel Apple should just give the API to everyone then you probably think think that Apple should totally unlock iOS and give all of it to whoever wants to copy it.
Completely and utterly wrong. Apple is a company not an individual. This is blatantly anti-competitive. Greedy Apple playing favorites.
 
You are missing the point - Apple owns the API and they get to decide who gets access to it. If you feel Apple should just give the API to everyone then you probably think think that Apple should totally unlock iOS and give all of it to whoever wants to copy it.
Don't build a strawman. Let me speak for me.

Apple doesn't OWN the API: the courts have recently and repeatedly shown you don't own an API. And so what they own is their implementation. Of course, none of that is relevant. What does matter is that Apple is behaving in a controlling and monopolistic manner over a general computing device. That's what iOS devices are -- they're general computing devices. That has historically been against the law, and for good reason. I suspect Apple will be forced by law to make many changes to their operations.

That’s a flawed slippery slope argument. They made an API, and decided not to document it (yet), and only allow Zoom to use it (so far). It’s unclear what their next step is. Do they intend to roll it out in iOS 15?

Hopefully they're planning on opening it up to everyone after WWDC this year. But giving Zoom early access is still an unfortunate competitive advantage.
 
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Yep. We should all be rooting for apple to lose. I know I am.
Apple wont lose. All the people in the position of judgement use their products and want their favoritism. Apple is basically a church now-a-days.
 
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