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yes.

And this could be allowed if that is the agreement Apple would have with the Bakers. And the agreement had with the booksellers. While it may not seem fair. If that is the agreement it's the agreement. The price you pay for a book may not be the price I pay. My business agreements for product A isnt' what you pay for the same product. Call for Price rings a bell for me.

Again, if that is the Terms they came too, I would guess they sell just enough or more Trucks (in value) to more than make up the loss for car sales. Even if not, if that is the terms it is what it is. Nothing "wrong" about it. Maybe a bad business decision but those happen everyday.

Overall point is, they can make up those terms. As long as its not breaking a law, and is acceptable to both or many parties involved. Its fine. Even if it sounds crazy to us.

The problem with your defence of this is you are under the impression Apple is able to act as it sees fit when in fact they are supposed to act based on fair and reasonable terms under the DMA. Asking developers of trucks to pay for the cost of the engine while developers who build cars get the engine for free are not neutral terms. The DMA is attempting to create a more level playing field.
 
The DMA doesn't force side-loading. You as an owner of the phone can't stop a developer from getting data from its use. That's protected by the DMA.

If you don't want the software on your phone to not contain advertising, you can do anything about that. You can't stop either Apple or developers from sending info about you or your usage back to them.

Lot's of things you can't control on your devices.
With alternative app stores, then we can get apps to address the exact things you just mentioned. Another reason why this is great!
 
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Can't they already made it closed. And they don't have to change that. Nor do they want to. It's no different than me asking for Google to make Android better. P.S, I don't like Android.

Except the EU has decided they have to move in the direction of a neutral store, being closed doesn’t prevent them from being a neutral store.

If Apple wanted to get out of the "Store" business maybe this could work. But, they aren't interested in doing that.
I like the CTF, and think it was a great solution to the EU problem. I like it enough that if they made the change world wide. I'd be personally OK with it. As it keeps the iPhone the way it is for those that want it the way it is. And gives those the option to have 3rd party stores and apps usually not available on the AppStore. While keeping the same levels of security and privacy. If it was straight side loading I would not have been for that.

Why would they have to get out of the store business? The CTF s the SDK fee which applies to all apps regardless of the store they are sold in.

If Apple needs an App Store hosting/review fee it needs to be universal and separated from the commission. The commission should only apply to Apps using Apple’s payment processing.

It makes no sense for the App Store hosting/review costs to be based on a per transaction commission because that doesn’t actually capture the how much it costs Apple to host and review the apps, an App like Netflix or Walmart costs Apple far more to host and review than does a small indie dev and it makes no sense that the former pay nothing and the latter a 15% commission. The App Store hosting/review fee should be more like the CTF which is based on a per download basis because that more accurately reflects the cost of hosting and reviewing a popular app.

Which is the case. 27% is the new price. Minus the 3% credit card fee if you stay on the store and use your own processing. If you jump ship and go to another store. .50 euros per download. Again, just charge it in the price of the app.

As I’ve argued above, the way Apple structures their commission is ridiculous because it has absolutely no relation to the actual costs born by Apple to run the store.

If they wanted to bring this world wide for those on alt stores. Yes, it's great idea. And any good developer or publisher can find a way to make up the .50 cost in other ways if they did not want to pass that cost along to the customer (which they will most likely not do, but they could). But this would take away from the free apps on the AppStore. I'm sure they could cover it with any Ad revenue they make, but it would be an increase to them when they didn't have to pay anything before. I'm sure they will balk at that idea. 70/30 does do a lot for those that don't have the infrastructure or the ability to deal with managing it all themselves. Shopping around to another "store" for such benefits could work out cheaper than Apple. But they would have to convince their current user base to "find" them elsewhere. That is a hurdle, and a cost. People will then complain Apple locks them in!!!

I think they should exempt apps that are truly free, as in no ads, no IAP, no companion tie-in product, no monetization of any kind.

I go back to the fact that in the EU, iOS isn't as big as Android. Apple isn't the dominate player. They are "A" player in the market. Most people pick Android and don't use 3rd party stores even when they are available to them (for some time). While the iPhone makes lots of things easier and "better" for many daily things. It's not essential. Reason being you have alternatives (Google Android). With a plethora of hardware options to choose from at price points cheaper and more expensive than Apple's options. Even options where you can build your own device (practically). Apple does not want to play in that game. And is fully capable of not achieving anywhere near 100% dominance in any field they are playing in. They just want to be the best at what they do.

And in trying to rain in Apple from becoming and acting like a giant cooperate monster monopoly. These laws may have pushed them further into that space. I would rather Apple be creative in making new stuff. Then be creative in figuring out ways to not lose money. I need them to fail at something like the HomePod to be successful at Vision Pro. It's a crude example. But, it's MUCH better for everyone (IMO) that Apple fail at making a product and learn to make a better one from it. Than to fail at business and have to resort to being more crafty at that. Because that creativity doesn't help us.
Doesn’t matter how big they are as a percentage, what matters is that there are about 450+ million active smartphone subscriptions in Europe and apple has about 30+% share which is over 135 million people. That is why this matters. It doesn’t matter that they are smaller than google, smaller than google is still hundreds of millions of people.
 
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There absolutely is "something" illegal about vaping--one must be 21+ to vape in the US.

Apple removed all vaping apps from its platform after a highly publicized health inquiry from Congress in the face of increased tobacco usage among teens after decades of declining usage. After looking into it, they found certain vaping companies had formulated various "juices" to mask the discomfort that would naturally occur while vaping, which had an additional impact of users not knowing when (and eventually not being able) to stop vaping. After a number of high-profile cases of teenagers ending up in the ER Congress signaled it was about to restrict all forms of vaping in the US but instead relied on manufacturers to control the devices and keep them from children (hence the proliferation of those apps).

Furthermore, Apple already had a long-standing policy against selling vaping-related merchandise on their platform (regardless of your opinion about vaping, Apple's opinion was that it did not want to contribute to the health issue prevalent in the US and elsewhere).

This is all public history and findable via court documents, Congressional hearings, and I believe Netflix did a special on it focusing on PAX. The bottom line is the US was signaling a public health crisis and Apple responding by removing the apps from its platform. I don't think your position is going to find sympathetic ears to anyone who knows the full context.
Who cares? I don’t live in the US. I live in my country. Apple is a multinational company offering its services worldwide.

You can get free vaping equipment via local health services in many countries. It’s a fantastic aid to quit smoking, which is the real killer, let’s be honest.

Apple is taking some moral high ground and forcing it on its users. At the very same time it’s actually encouraging games that addict users including children to spend real money. It’s banning or limiting apps which aid dissidents and other government whistleblowers under strict regimes when said regime tells them too.

They’ve no right. They’re morally corrupt.

There MUST be a way of allowing apps outside of apples control on the iPhone, and if Apple don’t allow that then they must be forced to allow it.
 
Since this is a long thread and I don’t expect you to have fully followed everything I’ve written here, I’ll say it again.

Fair means that all apps on the platform should be treated equally when it comes to paying for IP. Apple doesn’t treat all apps fairly. I think that the CTF is the closest Apple comes to a universal and fair fee to pay for iOS technologies and IP. It has a few rough edges and I think they will get dinged for only charging the CTF to developers who opt for the new terms (steering developers towards the old terms) it is a good starting point.
Apple has set the rules even if you don’t agree with them. It’s not as if there is precedent in the business world treating classes of customers differently.
 
Who cares? I don’t live in the US. I live in my country. Apple is a multinational company offering its services worldwide.

[...]

Apple is taking some moral high ground and forcing it on its users.
US Congress, US and global health authorities (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9001701/), and parents cared that children were becoming addicted and harmed by vaping products resulting in the threat of government oversight if companies didn't self-regulate.

Your understanding of Apple and how it operates around the world is severely truncated. Apple is a US company that operates internationally while headquartered in Cupertino, CA. It is absolutely and without question beholden to US Congressional inquiry, oversight, and any/all legal structures that operate within the US--including liability in particular. To argue anything else is a juvenile understanding of the context, at best.

This wasn't a moralistic stance from Apple but even if it was you don't have a particularly strong argument if your argument coalesces into "who cares?" about a global epidemic negatively impacting minor children's health.

You would have served yourself well to look into the issues you're whining about--the salient concerns, why the entities did what they did, etc.--but instead you chose to dig your heels in deeper. Having explained the factors to you, however, there's nothing more for me to add and you're in no space to comprehend anyway.

EDIT: one more thing... I find it curious that you never named the app so no one reading this knows whether it was Apple who removed it, as you allege, or if the vendor stopped updating it, or any details whatsoever. In fact, I suspect this is just a story you read about or created to stir controversy. Nothing in your past posts indicate a particular level of credibility.
 
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I ask again, are you okay? You seem a tad fanatical about my take (shared by many on here).

If you truly believe I’m wrong and love using android, I love that for you.

If you want to see my thoughts on why it’s inferior told you that you are welcome to look at my old posts. It’s not hard to find my thoughts.

You replying and repeating yourself is not going to change what I know about android from using it for sixteen years.
See, so you do care.
Also you never wrote any arguments as to why "Android is inferior". You obviously don't have any arguments.
 
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The idea that Apple should approve all apps for our protection would have more merit if they didn’t allow the gaming section of the store to overflow with apps that resemble gambling…

Apple should spend less money on keeping out emulators, vaping apps and other legal applications and invest more money rooting out scummy apps and eliminating gambling inspired apps and games.

The whole point of the App Store is not to have Apple’s morality imposed upon us but to provide a safe and secure place to get apps that are vetted. Apple clearly has no moral qualms about scummy apps given the apps they let on the store. Apple can achieve the security and privacy angle without banning entire categories of apps arbitrarily.
Ah but you dont want Apple to be the morals guardian (except with gambling apps???).

Apple have stated they dont allow emulators (that arent authorised - the has been a C64 emulator i remember downloading). They allow rights owners to release apps like PacMan etc. It's up them to decide if they can make money from doing so.

There would be many who agree about "scummy gambling apps" and just as many using them who want them there.
Apple is not playing the moral card. Just the legal one.
 
So, your response is FUD and irrelevant pictures that add nothing to the discussion. You're implying that Spotify has a lower premium subscriber rate on iOS. Where is your evidence for that claim?
The picture is very relevant. They both show the apps. One offers you the ability to use an add free service.
The simple fact of the enormous user interface friction that exist for a free Spotify user to upgrade to premium. Spotify wasn’t allowed to advertise any information to the user in anyway.

And you are essentially saying that incited user friction have zero negative consequences and going against industry norms and experience.

 
I see you still cant explain what the essential vaping app actually did function wise.

You keep deflecting. You brought up that you wanted apps, like the vaping app, on your phone without Apple being a moral regulator. Lawyers probably determine what apps stay to some degree., not Apple.

And you brought it up so it is on topic... ;)
It could as well activated blinking lights or customized user profiles for what the user wants to vape and mood etc.

The functionality could be bananas or pointless and completely irrelevant to the discussion or legitimacy to banning its existence. Obviously users had a better experience otherwise they wouldn’t exist
 
It could as well activated blinking lights or customized user profiles for what the user wants to vape and mood etc.

The functionality could be bananas or pointless and completely irrelevant to the discussion or legitimacy to banning its existence. Obviously users had a better experience otherwise they wouldn’t exist
well as someone else pointed out there was a lot of medical data coming out about harm.
so perhaps Apple just got ahead of the gun and went "yeah, we put a lot of effort in our Health and fitness apps and devices. maybe we pull this now before it becomes an issue".

there's nothing nasty about it. they killed off something that was probably making them money as well if bought on the store.
 
The store/developer split isn't the only reason to have alternate app stores.

Microsoft wanted me to download their authenticator app recently, so I got out my Pixel phone and searched the Google Play store for "microsoft authenticator" and clicked the first result, which was "authenticator". As I was about to open the app, I realized that I had downloaded an app from an ad that got placement over the app I obviously wanted.

The Apple App Store on my iPad also has an ad for "Authenticator App" as the first search result for "microsoft authenticator".

When I search for a game on the Steam store, I actually get the game/app I search for as the first result, because Steam doesn't have paid ad slots.

Do any of the Apple defenders here dare claim that Apple is putting their users first with paid placement in search results?

Some other reasons:
Cross-platform purchases: get a Windows, Mac, and iOS and Android app with one purchase.
Kickstarter rewards: Give an app to your campaign backers.
Multi-publisher/developer app bundles.
 
well as someone else pointed out there was a lot of medical data coming out about harm.
so perhaps Apple just got ahead of the gun and went "yeah, we put a lot of effort in our Health and fitness apps and devices. maybe we pull this now before it becomes an issue".

there's nothing nasty about it. they killed off something that was probably making them money as well if bought on the store.
I have no doubt that something like that is what happened.

The question is though: with Apple morally curating their AppStore for you, is it acceptable that that is the only place to get apps on the iPhone?
 
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US Congress, US and global health authorities (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9001701/), and parents cared that children were becoming addicted and harmed by vaping products resulting in the threat of government oversight if companies didn't self-regulate.
It’s super sad for the children and not apples business to care for. They can implement an 18+ section so children can’t access content deemed to sensitive for US sensibilities to handle
Your understanding of Apple and how it operates around the world is severely truncated. Apple is a US company that operates internationally while headquartered in Cupertino, CA. It is absolutely and without question beholden to US Congressional inquiry, oversight, and any/all legal structures that operate within the US--including liability in particular. To argue anything else is a juvenile understanding of the context, at best.
We understand it, hence the legal actions needed to prevent Apple from acting harmfully. Or Apple can leave if they can’t get their behavior under control and understand Us jurisdiction ends on the U.S. border
This wasn't a moralistic stance from Apple but even if it was you don't have a particularly strong argument if your argument coalesces into "who cares?" about a global epidemic negatively impacting minor children's health.
As long as the things are legal it’s 100% moral grandstanding. And banning legal things isn’t very easy to defend
You would have served yourself well to look into the issues you're whining about--the salient concerns, why the entities did what they did, etc.--but instead you chose to dig your heels in deeper. Having explained the factors to you, however, there's nothing more for me to add and you're in no space to comprehend anyway.

EDIT: one more thing... I find it curious that you never named the app so no one reading this knows whether it was Apple who removed it, as you allege, or if the vendor stopped updating it, or any details whatsoever. In fact, I suspect this is just a story you read about or created to stir controversy. Nothing in your past posts indicate a particular level of credibility.
That’s a good argument why alternative stories must be allowed as the customers in other legal jurisdictions to ag access to legal content.

And you should follow your own advice and researched in why The EU thinks and does what it does.
 
US Congress, US and global health authorities (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9001701/), and parents cared that children were becoming addicted and harmed by vaping products resulting in the threat of government oversight if companies didn't self-regulate.

Your understanding of Apple and how it operates around the world is severely truncated. Apple is a US company that operates internationally while headquartered in Cupertino, CA. It is absolutely and without question beholden to US Congressional inquiry, oversight, and any/all legal structures that operate within the US--including liability in particular. To argue anything else is a juvenile understanding of the context, at best.

This wasn't a moralistic stance from Apple but even if it was you don't have a particularly strong argument if your argument coalesces into "who cares?" about a global epidemic negatively impacting minor children's health.

You would have served yourself well to look into the issues you're whining about--the salient concerns, why the entities did what they did, etc.--but instead you chose to dig your heels in deeper. Having explained the factors to you, however, there's nothing more for me to add and you're in no space to comprehend anyway.

EDIT: one more thing... I find it curious that you never named the app so no one reading this knows whether it was Apple who removed it, as you allege, or if the vendor stopped updating it, or any details whatsoever. In fact, I suspect this is just a story you read about or created to stir controversy. Nothing in your past posts indicate a particular level of credibility.
Plenty of mixology apps showing anyone who wants to know how to create sweet and tasty hard liquor cocktails. Of course, no governments or health organisations have ever mentioned the dangers of alcohol and children.

Thanks for the insults, but with a user name like yours I can only imagine that you may well be the pot calling the kettle black with your assumption of my apparent credibility levels, and your own particular flavour of extra curricula activities.
 
I have no doubt that something like that is what happened.

The question is though: with Apple morally curating their AppStore for you, is it acceptable that that is the only place to get apps on the iPhone?
One consideration of mine: Even though I don't personally have many issues with the current app rejections in the country I live it, I don't think it it's good that Apple is the curator in countries with more oppressive governments where the App Store is legally required to remove apps that would be legal in most other countries.
 
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One consideration of mine: Even though I don't personally have many issues with the current app rejections in the country I live it, I don't think it it's good that Apple is the curator in countries with more oppressive governments where the App Store is legally required to remove apps that would be legal in most other countries.
100% agree. That’s why it’s vital do be able to download something like Briar or Tor from GitHub.
 
Ah but you dont want Apple to be the morals guardian (except with gambling apps???).
The law is currently banning gambling apps so… eu is implementing the moral values in to law. https://www.akd.eu/insights/underst...all-lootboxes-now-illegal-in-the-netherlands-
Apple have stated they dont allow emulators (that arent authorised - the has been a C64 emulator i remember downloading). They allow rights owners to release apps like PacMan etc. It's up them to decide if they can make money from doing so.
What about users who own legal copies of the ROMs? You have the legal right to make a private copy of any ROM and use it
There would be many who agree about "scummy gambling apps" and just as many using them who want them there.
Apple is not playing the moral card. Just the legal one.

Dutch law, more in particular the Betting and Gaming Act [Wet op de kansspelen], prohibits the provision of ‘games of chance in which you can win a prize’ without a permit. A game of chance is legally defined to be a ‘game in which the winner is defined by some form of chance and wherein the players generally do not control the result for the most part’

So… no apple is doing the moral grandstanding only when it’s not a threat to their bottom line.
 
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I have no doubt that something like that is what happened.

The question is though: with Apple morally curating their AppStore for you, is it acceptable that that is the only place to get apps on the iPhone?
How many times do I have to say it… it’s not moral it’s legal. Simple as that. Why risk a company being sued because of questionable health info or pirated games?

There’s a million apps there. Of varying quality and use. They aren’t stopping competition or limiting apps that don’t violate clear rules.
 
How many times do I have to say it… it’s not moral it’s legal. Simple as that. Why risk a company being sued because of questionable health info or pirated games?

There’s a million apps there. Of varying quality and use. They aren’t stopping competition or limiting apps that don’t violate clear rules.
You can say but as many times as you like, it doesn’t mean you’re right.
 
How many times do I have to say it… it’s not moral it’s legal. Simple as that. Why risk a company being sued because of questionable health info or pirated games?

There’s a million apps there. Of varying quality and use. They aren’t stopping competition or limiting apps that don’t violate clear rules.
Adult content is legal, why are those apps missing from the store if not for moral reasons?
 
You’re repeating yourself.
Just stating the obvious.
There's nothing behind that hate, no real arguments, no nothing, it's empty just like I suspected and you made it very clear.
And make no mistake it's clear for anybody here.
So yeah there's no point for me to reply, have your last word, it looks like you are "fanatical" about that 🤣
 
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Adult content is legal, why are those apps missing from the store if not for moral reasons?
and how do you section off adult content? kids will and do find ways around it.
some could argue that violent games are adult content already.

do you force Disney to add adult content?
sometimes a service can decide what they want to offer. you dont get to choose the shows on video streaming. someone else does based on data to sell subs.

how about alcohol? it's legal.
marijuana is legal some places. should the app store allow that too?

sometimes it is just easier for companies to say no... without judgement on you.

there are hardline countries where being gay or having sex before marriage is outlawed.
best not to let dating apps be used against the phone owner as evidence...

its another case of move to Android if thats what you want... you have the answer. vote with your wallets and move. its not that different to use. so no learning curve to operate.
 
You can say but as many times as you like, it doesn’t mean you’re right.
show me proof that Apple is banning apps for moral reasons and not legal... :)

oh look, Macrumours.com reported this...

no mention of moral objections but following health advice after deaths:
 
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