Fortnite and Epic Games Store Submitted to Apple for iOS Launch in EU

[Abazigal]

Apple just removed all VPN apps in Russia. In the EU users could install VPN apps/anti surveillance software using sideloading (or it will be soon possible for them to do so).

Freedom and democracy always comes at a price. If the governments force you to install certain apps or appstores, the could force Apple now to do so. Just have a look at China or Russia.

So choice and freedom is welcome, even if some people don‘t like it.

Like the choice to use an android phone if the ability to sideload a critical app is so important to you? It's not like the iPhone is the only smartphone available in Russia or China.

You would think that if said ability was so important to say, the people in China, the iPhone's market share in those countries would drop to zero as everybody flocked to android devices for their supposedly more free and open system. That the iPhone is actually flourishing shows that "more" is only better insofar that it gives people more of what they want, rather than saddle them with more issues to deal with.

The iPhone only has a very small market share in many countries, yet people here act like it's the only option which exists in those regions.

 

[thebart]

You can always go buy an android device that allows you the option to install 3rd party stores if that feature is so important to you. People buy apple devices knowing that it isn’t an option.

I've never installed any 3rd party app store on Android. Have side loaded plenty of apps

Kinda like a Mac. Imagine that.

 

[boss.king]

The iPhone only has a very small market share in many countries, yet people here act like it's the only option which exists in those regions.

It’s almost like Apple has worked very hard for many years to make switching away from an iPhone as inconvenient as they can.

 

[AndiG]

Like the choice to use an android phone if the ability to sideload a critical app is so important to you? It's not like the iPhone is the only smartphone available in Russia or China.

You would think that if said ability was so important to say, the people in China, the iPhone's market share in those countries would drop to zero as everybody flocked to android devices for their supposedly more free and open system. That the iPhone is actually flourishing shows that "more" is only better insofar that it gives people more of what they want, rather than saddle them with more issues to deal with.

The iPhone only has a very small market share in many countries, yet people here act like it's the only option which exists in those regions.

Why? it is our market and we decided that Apple can not deny others to install an app or charge unreasonable prices or a „Core technology fee“ to do so.
Furthermore we decided that you have special obligations if you are gatekeeper and competitor in one person.

That’s the way it is. Our market and we make the rules.

 

[Abazigal]

It’s almost like Apple has worked very hard for many years to make switching away from an iPhone as inconvenient as they can.

Making the user experience so good that I knowingly and willingly buy into the Apple ecosystem is a feature, not a bug.

This whole narrative about how features like iMessage and AirPods are being used to force users to remain in Apple's walled garden, with government regulators are viewed as the only entity capable of protecting Apple users from Apple, is only setting up detractors for more failure.

Arguing that Apple users are somehow being forced against their will to buy products like Apple Watches and AirPods is nothing more than looking for someone to blame for market failures when the problem is really with the competition possessing bad vision, inadequate corporate culture, and an overall lack of understanding as to what makes Apple unique.

The sheer absurdity of a music streaming service with majority market share, blaming a platform with minority market share for its woes, continues to not be lost on me.

 

[I7guy]

Why? it is our market and we decided that Apple can not deny others to install an app or charge unreasonable prices or a „Core technology fee“ to do so.
Furthermore we decided that you have special obligations if you are gatekeeper and competitor in one person.

That’s the way it is. Our market and we make the rules.

That’s true but it doesn’t mean the rules are good or even will be in the best interests of consumers.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Arguing that Apple users are somehow being forced against their will to buy products like Apple Watches and AirPods is nothing more than looking for someone to blame for market failures when the problem is really with the competition possessing bad vision, inadequate corporate culture, and an overall lack of understanding as to what makes Apple unique.

I have to buy an Apple Watch because it is the only wearable with full functionality with iOS - other watchmakers are literally not allowed to make one that comes close in functionality. The APIs are not accessible and the OS itself will not allow it.

 

[boss.king]

Making the user experience so good that I knowingly and willingly buy into the Apple ecosystem is a feature, not a bug.

This whole narrative about how features like iMessage and AirPods are being used to force users to remain in Apple's walled garden, with government regulators are viewed as the only entity capable of protecting Apple users from Apple, is only setting up detractors for more failure.

Arguing that Apple users are somehow being forced against their will to buy products like Apple Watches and AirPods is nothing more than looking for someone to blame for market failures when the problem is really with the competition possessing bad vision, inadequate corporate culture, and an overall lack of understanding as to what makes Apple unique.

The sheer absurdity of a music streaming service with majority market share, blaming a platform with minority market share for its woes, continues to not be lost on me.

You’re anrguing against a lot of points I never made. It’s no secret that Apple wants it to be hard to switch, top Apple execs has said as much in emails that have been shared in various court cases over the years.

Whether you think it’s something that require govt intervention or companies should be left to their own schemes is another matter, but let’s not pretend like Apple doesn’t intentionally make it as inconvenient as possible for people to leave, to the point that for a lot of non-techie people it probably seems like an impossibility.