Apple Says Epic Games 'Wants Us to Be Android, But We Don't Want to Be'

[I7guy]

I recommend the MacStories article discussing this. The author is an experienced lawyer.

Epic Versus Apple: The MacStories Overview

Later today, Epic Games and Apple will square off in a high-stakes trial in US federal district court that’s nominally about money. However, if that were all that was at stake, the claims each company has made against the other would likely have been resolved by now. Companies the size of Apple...

www.macstories.net

Good read. Thanks!

 

[ian87w]

This is all smokes and mirrors. Epic has a single objective, to reduce their cost and increase their revenue. That’s it. They only had this “issue” when their revenue is declining, thus they want to see if they can sue Apple and save money (by not giving Apple their cut). That’s it. It’s already shown, even the fact that Epic planned to sneakily circumvent Apple’s ToS via a hot fix. Anybody that still think Epic is in the right or side with Epic are simply blind sighted.

 

[Xak444]

That is actually not a bad idea. The reason I went with iOS since the start and keep it as such was and is the App Store and it's security. I haven't heard of single malware for iOS vs hundreds for Android.

I'm in

 

[dba415]

That is actually not a bad idea. The reason I went with iOS since the start and keep it as such was and is the App Store and it's security. I haven't heard of single malware for iOS vs hundreds for Android.

I've not heard of any Android malware either and honestly the vast majority of Android users never run into any issues with regards to malware.

 

[Salvor Hardin]

This is all smokes and mirrors. Epic has a single objective, to reduce their cost and increase their revenue. That’s it. They only had this “issue” when their revenue is declining, thus they want to see if they can sue Apple and save money (by not giving Apple their cut). That’s it. It’s already shown, even the fact that Epic planned to sneakily circumvent Apple’s ToS via a hot fix. Anybody that still think Epic is in the right or side with Epic are simply blind sighted.

Wouldn’t surprise me if a long shot side objective is forcing Apple to compromise their iOS security which would be heavily backed by the many governments and of course the Facebooks of the world. Very slim chance of that happening but you can see the tracks being laid for a more specific battle around this.

 

[God of Biscuits]

the Non-dominant platform having better stuff doesn’t constitute walled garden, much less a monopoly.

 

[cmaier]

I've not heard of any Android malware either and honestly the vast majority of Android users never run into any issues with regards to malware.

New Advanced Android Malware Posing as “System Update" - Zimperium

Another week, and another major mobile security risk. A few weeks ago, Zimperium zLabs researchers disclosed unsecured cloud configurations exposing

blog.zimperium.com

New Android malware with full range of spying capabilities has been found

Despite its sophistication, the app can be easy for more experienced users to spot.

arstechnica.com

How to Check if Your Android is Among the 1 Billion+ Devices Vulnerable to Malware - The Plug - HelloTech

According to recent research by Which?, more than 1 billion Android devices are vulnerable to malware (malicious software). If you are one of the 40% of

www.hellotech.com

Can Android Get Viruses? How to Detect and Remove Malware

Viruses on Android are a legitimate threat. Here’s what to know about them – and how to protect devices against Androidthreats.

www.kaspersky.com

Remove unwanted ads, pop-ups & malware - Android - Google Chrome Help

You might have unwanted software or malware installed on your computer if you experience: Pop-up ads and new tabs that won't go away Your Chrome homepage or search engine keeps changing without

support.google.com

Current Android Malware

Current Android Malware Here is the full list of Android-Malware-Families with their main capabilities. We will try to keep this table up-to-date. We took one sample of each family for the data wit…

forensics.spreitzenbarth.de

Android malware found on Huawei's official app store

A security firm said this week it found malware on Huawei's official Android app store, the AppGallery.

therecord.media

.
…

 

[robco74]

Epic doesn't want Android to be Android either, considering they're suing Google over similar Play Store policies.

 

[tomsop]

I am actually a Fortnite player - introduced to the game though my iPad Pro and their app on the App Store back in 2018. I used to play with my kids who logged in through PC's. These arguments by Epic make no sense to me - pull the app if you do not like the terms and Epic, you were sophisticated enough to understand the rules when you uploaded your app. Since Epic's shenanigans I am unable to play the two new seasons that they have put out not the other platforms. I think that they see me as cannon fodder because there is probably only a small number of Fortnite players who just have an iPad. You can still download fortnite onto a Mac. This argument only applies to iPad people - I am not sure if anyone even tried to play this on an iPhone - too hard to ply that way. IF Epic is listening they are hurting me as a consumer I want to play their game but not bad enough to ditch the iPad.

 

[Freeangel1]

sideload apps outside of the Google Play store on Android devices

YES. I'm for it!

 

[Sikh]

Ive said this from the start, no one has ONCE complained about Sony and Microsoft doing the same with their stores on the Xbox and Playstation but Apple doing it is a problem.

I hate people who say they aren't doing this with bias but thats exactly what it is. ****ing idiots

 

[Ethosik]

I find it interesting in how cases like these allow each side to use the other side’s internal emails, texts, etc.

Torn on this case in general. While I agree with some of Epic’s argument(s) intentionally violating the ToS in the Apple Developer agreement and prepping for the law suit for the past few years seems bizarre.

Basically premeditated on Epic’s part.

They also stated that the 30% is hurting them, but when asked about it today the response is that they are fine with the Playstation, Xbox and Switch 30%. Which means it’s not hurting them. That and this whole thing is planned. Epic has a hard time due to how they handled it.

 

[Bluetoot-]

Dang, how they gonna drag up emails from my boy Steve like that? RIP 😔

In all seriousness, I am slightly conflicted, but I guess we’ll wait and see.

 

[jimbobb24]

I have Netflix on iOS but I never paid through the App Store. How come Epic can’t do that? Allow payments outside the App Store.

I am just so worried some dumb judge is going to screw this up.

 

[Maconplasma]

There will be plenty of appeals. What’s Apple’s plan if they lose? I doubt their walled garden is going to last as they are getting scrutinized more and more internationally.

Apple doesn't need a plan of action because they won't lose so let it go.

 

[kiensoy]

I think what Epic wants is iOS to be macOS.

 

[Analog Kid]

This is pretty much the argument to be made, in my opinion. iOS isn’t Android, but Android is Android, so use the other one if that’s what you want.

 

[macduke]

If Epic wins, I hope Apple makes it a huge pain in the ass for the average user to go outside the sandbox. Would probably make it more secure for the rest of us at the same time. Like having to download a special version of iOS that can only be installed from a computer and only gets like one update every year—right before Apple releases the new version in September, lol. Those people will be stuck with an outdated version for a whole year, but hey, they’ll save a few bucks on Fortnite dance moves or whatever the hell people pay for over there. Or will they? I bet Epic just increases their profit margin and nodes to pass on a cent of savings to the consumer. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple increases their yearly developer fees or something to make up for it.

Also, if Epic wins, the entire business model of Microsoft’s Xbox division, Sony’s PlayStation division, and Nintendo’s everything goes away. They all charge 30% too. Have fun paying for $2000 consoles, while game studios charge exactly the same for each title. I mean, have you guys seen how much a GPU costs nowadays? The XSX and PS5 are downright bargains by comparison. And since they’ll be forced to open them up, expect viruses and malware on game consoles to become commonplace. I’ve never even really heard of it, outside of people jail breaking their consoles and/or hardware modding them. It’s just not a thing I have to worry about and I love that.

 

[tridley68]

Tell the lawyers to take a hike.

 

[Appleman3546]

I think Epic wants them to be like a computer, which allows browser downloads ... including the mac

 

[Michael Scrip]

I have Netflix on iOS but I never paid through the App Store. How come Epic can’t do that? Allow payments outside the App Store.

You can buy Fortnite V-Bucks gift cards at your local grocery store.

So clearly Epic has already figured out this "outside the App Store" thing...

 

[wigby]

"Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney testified at the trial today, saying he wanted consumers to see that Apple exercises "total control" over iOS and software available on the platform."

Erm... yes... we know, that's exactly what we paid for and want!! If I didn't, I'd go Android.

This trial is about developers so if Sweeney only raised consumer concerns, he's a dope that shouldn't be put on the stand. Epic will never win the consumers vs. monopoly argument because us Apple consumers are happy with Apple's monopoly.

 

[4nNtt]

I’m mostly ok with how things are. There are edge cases where Apple is particularly greedy that I wish would change such as IAP for reader content and remote access to other platforms. Low-margin categories like streaming video should be allowed to purchase in-app without a high revenue split.

The review process is awful which is made worse by too many junk apps. Perhaps everyone can go on the store, but higher standards to get publicly listed. In addition, the anti-competitive rules add a lot of uncertainty if an app will be accepted.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Epic just leave. It’s for the best.

 

[Ethosik]

Dear Apple, you're not the cheapest of the bunch but I prefer the iOS system, if you cave you WILL lose customers like myself. Why would I not just buy a cheap android instead

Yep I agree. And Apple knows this which is why they don't want to be forced to turn into Android. Lets be real here, the hardware on the iPhone is not anything crazy special. There are some Android phones that are better and cheaper from a hardware perspective. And like you, if Apple is "forced" to turn iOS into Android, I will also leave.