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It won’t be the same as today. Apps WILL be pulled from the Apple App Store. Unless there will be a clause in the law or regulations to prevent this. It’s forcing us to side load. Leaving it up to the developer and NOT me.
Apple could always beg those developers to put their apps on the App Store but coming down from their high horse. /s
 
Alright guys. Let's figure this out.

Right now the only way to build and sell an iOS app is to pay the $99/year developer fee for APIs and other resources, and Apple keeps 15% or 30% from each sale as a commission.

The reason Apple did this is because it made it low-risk for basically anyone to become an iOS developer... in exchange for a percentage of the sales in the App Store.

So what happens if you want to sell an app somewhere else?

The developer is still using those same APIs and other resources, right? Do you think it should still be just $99 for all that?

No. Developer fees would have to increase. Massively.

So how about this:

Apple creates two tracks. One is just like it is today with a low $99 developer fee and Apple taking a percentage of each sale.

And the other is for large developers. $1,000,000 a month developer fee. And that's it. No further charge per sale.

Sound good?

Because here's the issue. Developers want to use Apple's APIs and other resources... and they want to make money from the billion iPhone users. It's obviously a lucrative market.

But they don't want to pay ANY fees.

Well that ain't gonna fly. Sorry.

Apple will need to get paid. We just need to figure out how in this new sideloading and alternative store era.

:p
I don't think that's happening. You develop for Apple and sell it on
1. App Store with the usual fee
2. Alternate store and pay that store whatever that store demands. The alternate store pays Apple for existing on the iOS, maybe? I do know how it works?
3. You sell through your own website. You pay nothing to anybody.
 
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I see. It would have to be more than 30% due to the additional expenses. Maybe 60%, but I could see Apple having an argument for taking more.

Can you expand on why?

My view:
I download dev tools.
I write and test the software.
I distribute the software via 3rd party.

Where is the piece in this that justifies Apple charging anything?
 
How many people side load on Android? What’s the statistics on it?

Google is not providing much in the way of statistics on this. Especially in the last 3-4 years.
If you (or anyone) finds a site that quantifies the numbers kindly pass it on.

Keep in mind that Google makes sideloading difficult to discourage / minimize this practice. I could see this in the beginning to encourage Play Store use. These days however ... not sure at all.
 
Can you expand on why?

My view:
I download dev tools.
I write and test the software.
I distribute the software via 3rd party.

Where is the piece in this that justifies Apple charging anything?
They curated the customers. Do you plan to sell the app exclusively to non-iOS users?
 
Have you ever tried doing third party on Android?
Google deliberately makes is cumbersome and keeps dropping in dire warnings of doom and gloom.

Many users abandon it when they start getting the pop-ups. The last third party store I added to my Android took 12 steps and had 3 "warnings". It does vary.
Have you? I just literally downloaded F Droid using chrome on my Samsung mobile. I got only two warnings, one of which is from Chrome asking me if I wanted to download it.
 
Then explain it to me....Nobody has. I have never seen a direct reason why this is such a big flipping deal if nobody side loads on Android when the option already exists. What amazing great almighty app are we missing that is only available through side loading?
- Apple shouldn't get to dictate what software someone can and cannot install on their device, regardless of how many people may take advantage of third-party install routes
- Apple is part of a duopoly that should be regulated since products and services related to smartphones are central to most people's modern lives and are worth billions of dollars
- Apple charging a 30% cut from services like Spotify when Apple's own Apple Music doesn't face such a barrier
- Devs should be able to put solicitations for products and services in their own apps that link to payment systems on their own websites
- Smartphones are essentially computers and for decades a central idea behind general purpose computing is that anyone can develop software for them
- Apple being allowed to set one-sided, self-serving terms to lock out competition (Xbox/Stadia)
- Apple choosing to play the role of morality police

You've never seen any of those reasons in all the various threads? Simply amazing. Now that you see them, you can acknowledge their existence. You don't have to agree with them, but now at least you don't have to go around claiming you've never seen any reasons for legislation like this.

I am sorry but....what? People constantly counter all of this saying "nothing will change, you can keep your walled garden and NOTHING WILL CHANGE". YES IT WILL! And you just said so. So people need to stop saying "nothing will change".
The point is that things will mostly stay the same. Out of the dozens of apps you probably have installed on your phone, it's likely that between 0 and 2 apps would remove themselves from the App Store and go third-party distribution only. Really the only reason most would have for removing themselves from the app store is because they want to implement some function in their app that App Store rules don't allow. Otherwise savvy devs would have their app available both on the App Store and through a third-party.
 
They curated the customers. Do you plan to sell the app exclusively to non-iOS users?

As it is written for iOS/iPadOS … no.
So you are saying that because someone(s) bought an Apple device I have to pay Apple for performing my work and selling it?

DOesn’t work like that currently with MacOS. Not seeing why iOS would be different.
Hmmm…..
 
Have you? I just literally downloaded F Droid using chrome on my Samsung mobile. I got only two warnings, one of which is from Chrome asking me if I wanted to download it.

When I added it to my 1+ 9 Pro (Android 11), I also had to do settings and grant permissions as I installed and used it.
Did mine via Edge.
Downloading, Installing, giving permission - my three warnings.
 
- Apple shouldn't get to dictate what software someone can and cannot install on their device, regardless of how many people may take advantage of third-party install routes
- Apple is part of a duopoly that should be regulated since products and services related to smartphones are central to most people's modern lives and are worth billions of dollars
- Apple charging a 30% cut from services like Spotify when Apple's own Apple Music doesn't face such a barrier
- Devs should be able to put solicitations for products and services in their own apps that link to payment systems on their own websites
- Smartphones are essentially computers and for decades a central idea behind general purpose computing is that anyone can develop software for them
- Apple being allowed to set one-sided, self-serving terms to lock out competition (Xbox/Stadia)
- Apple choosing to play the role of morality police

You've never seen any of those reasons in all the various threads? Simply amazing. Now that you see them, you can acknowledge their existence. You don't have to agree with them, but now at least you don't have to go around claiming you've never seen any reasons for legislation like this.


The point is that things will mostly stay the same. Out of the dozens of apps you probably have installed on your phone, it's likely that between 0 and 2 apps would remove themselves from the App Store and go third-party distribution only. Really the only reason most would have for removing themselves from the app store is because they want to implement some function in their app that App Store rules don't allow. Otherwise savvy devs would have their app available both on the App Store and through a third-party.
I have seen those arguments. But there is not a single argument in there that leads to this mountain of an issue. These posts and people’s attitude is “APPLE NEEDS TO BE STOPPED NOW!!!”. Not “it’s nice if this was different” but “OMG TAKE APPLE DOWN NOW NOW NOW”

So again, what is this Uber awesome MUST HAVE app that can only be got via side loading?

So people want the freedom. So what? I want to run Final Cut on my Windows system, or I want to run something I made in visual studio on my PS5. I don’t see people lining up with pitchforks about those two things.

If you desire the freedom, use the platform that supports it. All the arguments lead track to “I didn’t do my research before buying the product”.
 
Speaking of consoles...

We all know there are multiple stores to buy XBox and Playstation discs: Walmart, Target, GameStop, online, whatever.

But don't Microsoft and Sony get 30% from every purchase... regardless of which store you use? Physical or digital?

And that's the issue, right? The fees?

It doesn't matter if there are 1, 2, or 10 stores to buy games from... if the platform must take their cut.

I thought that's what this whole thing was all about: developers hating fees.

So the question is... if Microsoft and Sony can collect 30% from a game sold at Target... why can't Apple collect 30% from an app sold on "Frank's App Store" ?

?
Actually when it comes to things sold is store or developer distribution of codes etc, they only take 1-5% licensing fee for using Xbox logos and other small things.

Even in the store some developers pay way less than the standard 30%.
 
Can you expand on why?

My view:
I download dev tools.
I write and test the software.
I distribute the software via 3rd party.

Where is the piece in this that justifies Apple charging anything?
You’re going to need to pay for a developer account and sign your App via Apple, otherwise it isn’t going to work. If the governments try to force Apple to allow unsigned apps onto iOS devices, that’s anti-consumer. Besides, I’m guessing Apple has enough pull to keep that from happening. Signed apps will be allowed and unsigned will not. I’m certainly not going to download an unsigned app and most other people aren’t either. Therefore, Apple is still going to get its cut of sales from alternative apps stores.
 
Back to the 1990's Windows world ... people load any crapware onto their devices.. crashes and strange behavior ... then they complain that its all Apple's fault. Part of this is Apple's fault though - their greed. they do provide Xcode and the programming tools, and the (crappy) App Store search tools - but 5-10% max not 30% as they did to start.
 
I have seen those arguments. But there is not a single argument in there that leads to this mountain of an issue. These posts and people’s attitude is “APPLE NEEDS TO BE STOPPED NOW!!!”. Not “it’s nice if this was different” but “OMG TAKE APPLE DOWN NOW NOW NOW”
That is simply your opinion of the situation and nothing more. And that's fine, everyone has an opinion and they don't all have to agree. You may not think those reasons are enough for this legislation, but many people do, including an increasing number of governments around the world.
So again, what is this Uber awesome MUST HAVE app that can only be got via side loading?
Nobody said there was a singular, must have app involved. However I would point to Xbox Cloud and Google Stadia as two big ones we could see come to iOS.
So people want the freedom. So what? I want to run Final Cut on my Windows system, or I want to run something I made in visual studio on my PS5. I don’t see people lining up with pitchforks about those two things.

If you desire the freedom, use the platform that supports it. All the arguments lead track to “I didn’t do my research before buying the product”.
People and legislatures don't generally view not being able to run Final Cut on Windows as anti-competitive.
 
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I want to play iOS games on my XBOX.

I want to run Office on my PlayStation.

This is getting ridiculous… if you buy the device, you know what you can run and cannot run on it.

Regulators should focus on the scam that is printer inkt cartridges. That’s a lock-in system that should be forbidden.
 
Can you expand on why?

My view:
I download dev tools.
I write and test the software.
I distribute the software via 3rd party.

Where is the piece in this that justifies Apple charging anything?
Apparently APIs to make things work in iOS. Because apparently charging users for the OS isn't enough - they have to charge developers for the privilege of making the OS useful, too.
 
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Bu
"most devs"

This is what I have a problem with. I don't care what you do with your phone, but some Apps WILL no longer be on Apple's App Store thus forcing us that want a closed environment to no longer have the closed environment.

If it can be somehow guaranteed that Apps hosted elsewhere are also hosted on the Apple App Store, I won't have any issues with any side-loading. In fact, I would be right there with you advocating for it. I advocate for "right to repair"...but do I repair my own things? No, I am way too busy for that stuff. You want to do it? Go ahead!
But this already a reality!? Apple is removing apps all the time that you now can’t ever download again.

There’s no dude to how reality Is now and the reality if apps can be installed without apple’s blessing.
 
I want to play iOS games on my XBOX.

I want to run Office on my PlayStation.

This is getting ridiculous… if you buy the device, you know what you can run and cannot run on it.

Regulators should focus on the scam that is printer inkt cartridges. That’s a lock-in system that should be forbidden.

Apparently APIs to make things work in iOS. Because apparently charging users for the OS isn't enough - they have to charge developers for the privilege of making the OS useful, too.
The funniest part is that APIs are not covered by IP law or copyright in EU.

Imagine believing you can take a fee for using application programming interface

Without using application programming interface nothing can works
 
As it is written for iOS/iPadOS … no.
So you are saying that because someone(s) bought an Apple device I have to pay Apple for performing my work and selling it?

DOesn’t work like that currently with MacOS. Not seeing why iOS would be different.
Hmmm…..
Yes. For the same reason you might have to mow the lawn but your sibling doesn’t.

Apple should have every right to say you and everyone you work with has to pay 70% and everyone else pays 10%. You don’t get a say in how much it costs to use other peoples things. In this case you want to develop for their device and sell to their customers.

Count your blessings you are allowed to develop at all.
 
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People and legislatures don't generally view not being able to run Final Cut on Windows as anti-competitive.
Ok. What about my PS5 example then? Is it not the exact same thing here? I can’t fire up visual studio, write something, deploy it to my site, and direct PS5 players to download it.

And anti-competitive is just over the top reaction to this. If you are a developer that wants to make an app that’s available as a side load, you have Android as an option. The whole idea of every product needs to have all the same features and capabilities is ridiculous. They are essentially stating that products can’t compete by having different features or systems.

Apple believes a walled garden is a differentiator between iOS and Android. So this is basically saying “you can’t compete here”. iPhone sales will decrease if this happens. I hate iOS compared to Android. But I only use it as it’s a closed system.
 
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