you can sideload apps and software on Mac without any issue.I don’t see why iOS could be any different.
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Apple Working to Add Support for Sideloading and Alternate App Stores in Europe
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Until a company like say, Facebook, makes their own apps accessible only through their own App Store.
And I think that’s what really rubs me the wrong way with this line of argument. It’s easy to minimise and hand wave away any possible concerns because the people making these claims are presumably more tech savvy and able to protect themselves, and more crucially, regardless of whatever happens, they are not the ones who will have to clear up the mess either way.
Has that happened with Android where sideloading is already possible? Are Meta’s apps only available through their own App Store on Android? Nope, you’re worrying about something isn’t going to happen. And if it did, it would hurt Meta more than anyone else, because most people aren’t willing to go outside of the most convenient store to get it. Not to mention, so what if they did move out of the App Store? What, they’re going to take your data and sell it for profit? Oh wait… Which, of course, brings up another point that’s already been made several times: people put so much trust in the App Store that they just assume they’re protected from scum like Facebook.
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And…
Epic vs. Apple Takes a Twist As 35 US States and Department of Justice Weigh in to Back 'Fortnite' Maker
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I can see Facebook trying this on iOS if only to get around ATT (which according to recent reports has put quite a dent in their earnings).
On android, at least, I reason there is less incentive for Facebook to bother simply because Google doesn’t try to interfere with their data collection.
So yeah, apps that do move out of the App Store won’t have to support ATT or sign in with Apple, and that’s a loss for consumers however you square it.
Like I said, it won’t happen. If it does, shoot me a PM and I’ll buy you a beer.
Regardless, so what? What besides ATT does being in the App Store do to protect people from Facebook’s smarmy practices? Absolutely nothing, and even that took Apple years to implement. Long after Facebook got rich off people’s data. And they still are today, but there they are, happily offered directly by Apple on the App Store along with the illusion that it must be a fine app or Apple wouldn’t allow it, right?
Oh, and let’s be honest here about Apple’s intentions. Google is just as scummy as Facebook, yet Apple happily accepts billions of dollars every year to make Google the default search engine. If they made money from Facebook the way they do from Google, I don’t think they’d be trying so hard to ‘protect’ us. If Apple truly cared about our privacy, they’d make Brave or DuckDuckGo the default search engine.
Aaand, one more thing… doesn’t it seem odd that ATT spun up around the same time that the ‘metaverse’ race started to heat up? Apple got to financially cripple the biggest player AND look good doing it. Coincidence? I think not.
People HAVE to stop polishing Apple’s halo. They’re a corporation, they aren’t doing anything that doesn’t directly benefit them.
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Seem to remember it was not that long ago that apps installed from Apple's App store were surreptitiously accessing the contacts data on our iPhone's (this seems to have been forgotten in the mists of time). But seriously, someone that sideloads should know the risks. I guess we shall see.
I’m unsure about this. If it is implemented similar to macOS then it should probably be fine and could be a nice feature. But one of the reasons I like Apple is security. I feel like this could also potentially undermine their efforts.
Also, I don’t like to get political, but I absolutely hate the EU nanny state.
Also, I don’t like to get political, but I absolutely hate the EU nanny state.
I suspect, as you point out, Apple will change its fee structure to make up for lost revenue; raising upfront costs for developers. I could see a much higher fee upfront, with Apple offsetting it with their 30% cut.
Alternative app stores face several challenges for acceptance:
1. Building a user base to rival Apple's so they are a viable competitor
2. Keeping their cut much lower to attract developers and make money
Piracy may become easier and more widespread with sideloading; based on what I saw during the heyday of jailbreaking. No, if anyone can easily sideload, developers may see an uptick in piracy and need to find new ways to deal with it. One will be to follow the Android model - free apps with in app subscriptions so the app has no value as a standalone.
Of course, free apps make no money for an App Store, so they will be forced to take a cut of subscriptions but if developers can have 3rd party payment systems why give the App Store a cut?
It will be interesting to see how this plays out long term.
And I wish Apple would just leave the European smartphone market alone. You dont get access to the European market and get to dictate the terms and conditions of business at the same time. Dont like their rules? Dont sell your phones in the EU.
See how that works?
I reckon the following will happen:
- Most people will stick with the App Store.
- But if there are other stores that people use, it will likely be that most people go for a Microsoft, Amazon or Epic Store etc.
- I doubt that most people will download mysterious 3rd party stores (although some will).
- Other App Stores I expect will make Apple suddenly OK about hosting Microsoft's game streaming service and X-Box game pass.
- I think that we can expect Apple to all of a sudden make its percentage cut far more favourable too.
- That's the power of competition and the market.
And as others have said, once people in the US see that the EU is getting different stores, the clamour to allow this in the USA will be deafening.
So if Apple thinks it can avoid doing this in the USA - well, good luck with that.
- Most people will stick with the App Store.
- But if there are other stores that people use, it will likely be that most people go for a Microsoft, Amazon or Epic Store etc.
- I doubt that most people will download mysterious 3rd party stores (although some will).
- Other App Stores I expect will make Apple suddenly OK about hosting Microsoft's game streaming service and X-Box game pass.
- I think that we can expect Apple to all of a sudden make its percentage cut far more favourable too.
- That's the power of competition and the market.
And as others have said, once people in the US see that the EU is getting different stores, the clamour to allow this in the USA will be deafening.
So if Apple thinks it can avoid doing this in the USA - well, good luck with that.
I think that the report mentions this, but I could see Apple's notarisation service running on first launch of any app. Though admittedly, it isn't going to scan for apps made by bad actors i.e. that fool you into allowing full access to your photos etc.
Your analogy doesn't apply because the application creation and verification system will be identical for applications distributed within Apple Store and those that are only independently verified by Apple but distributed elsewhere.
App Store doesn’t enforce ATT, the o/s permissions do, like with access to photos or contacts. App will not be able to access those things without user approval irrespective of how the app got installed into the phone.
If my bank bypasses Apple security, I'll bypass them for a security conscious bank.