Now I'm curious: What benefits did the iOS walled garden system give you? Let's put aside weather the EU's right to blow the garden open for a minute; I want to know why you personally prefer a walled garden.
I am not the poster you quoted, but I would like to share what I like about Apple's walled garden approach. These are not new points for those who have been following me for a while, but I am willing to take the time to retype them for those willing to listen.
In summary, the walled garden gives Apple leverage over developers and suppliers, which in turn allows Apple to push through measures and initiatives that are generally to my best vested interests as an iOS user. Maybe that makes me selfish, but at least I am willing to be honest and upfront about it.
Here's a few.
1) Remember back when smartphones were largely bought on 2-year contracts via carriers and customers often complained about the lack of updates and the plethora of carrier bloatware (often unremovable) that came with android smartphones? Meanwhile, iPhones had none of these issues, and it comes, first and foremost, from the leverage that Apple had over carriers and the inability of the carriers to sideload their own apps onto iOS devices.
2) I believe that one of the key reasons why apps tend to be more profitable on iOS compared to android is because it's so much harder to pirate apps on iOS. You want an app on your iPhone or iPad, the fastest and most convenient way is to simply just pay for it. This results in a virtuous cycle where more money incentivises developers to code for iOS first or exclusively.
Most recently-released app I am currently eyeing -
https://usetapestry.com/
No android version. So much for being "open".
3) Malware is a common sticking point on the Google Play Store. My bank actually updated their banking app to not work if it detects side loaded apps on an android device.
The bank's new security feature prevents users from logging onto their Internet banking and OCBC Digital app on their phone if it detects potentially risky apps downloaded from unofficial portals.
www.channelnewsasia.com
These attempts were blocked by an enhanced security feature that was rolled out by Google in February, amid a spike in malware-enabled scams.
www.channelnewsasia.com
4) And let's not forget the most infamous example of them all.
Answer (1 of 3): I think it is pure greed. Sideloading comes with many risks, especially if their user base is largely comprised of children. All it takes is the wrong APK file, and suddenly some kid’s phone is under some control by a hacker. Yes, Google does take a 30% cut out of profits, but Ep...
www.quora.com
I can acknowledge that there are downsides in a curated App Store where certain categories of apps are simply flat out unavailable to me, and I just don't care that I can't download porn or gambling or even vaping-related apps. Heck, I haven't even downloaded an emulator since they became viable.
Thing is - I see this as a package deal. The iOS App Store does not give me enough rope to hang myself with, and these are the downsides I willingly accept in exchange for the benefits which matter even more to me. They are inexorably linked, and one does not exist without the other (the "there is good in bad, and bad in good" adage). The issue I have with a lot of the criticism surrounding the walled garden is that they seem to believe that they can have their cake and eat it too. That Apple can somehow open up and let users reap the benefits of having a more open ecosystem, while having absolutely zero downsides.
Which is ironic, because Android exists, we see the problems that come with an open platform, and I guess people just refuse to learn from history.