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MacPaw Pulls Plug on Setapp Mobile iOS Store, Citing 'Still-Evolving and Complex Business Terms' for Alternative EU Marketplaces
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wanha
macrumors 68030
yeah or - hear me out - maybe they realized, as they said in their statement, that it was not profitable
wanha
macrumors 68030
long live private, for profit closed ecosystems where the gatekeeper makes all the rules /s
Cos they operate the ‘razor blade’ model where the hardware is sold at a loss and software sales from their own e stores make up the loss.
wanha
macrumors 68030
I agree that companies shouldn't get to just use others' platforms for free, but closed, for profit ecosystems where one company makes all the rules aren't exactly a win for consumers. There's a reason governments regulate monopolies, because monopolies inevitably always start rent-seeking behavior sooner or later.
I really believe competition is ultimately benefits consumers the most. With that, did these companies really think Apple, after investing billions into research, development, and building its user base, was just going to let another app store come in and snatch what they’ve built? And it’s especially ironic coming from a company like Epic, which has no issue taking a percentage of game revenue. Like others have pointed out, where is this same pressure on Xbox and Sony? If the goal is truly an even playing field across all software storefronts, then it needs to apply everywhere. Otherwise, being selective just makes it feel like there’s an agenda beyond what’s actually best for the consumer.
Probably most everyone else didn’t use it either. I remember using a cheap Android tablet that came with some third-party store instead of the Google Play store. Wasn’t fond of it. I think it was a kindle fire maybe.
Sausage.Biscuit
macrumors member
If it was a Kindle Fire, it may have been the Amazon app store. I have a KF. I learned how to put the Google Play store on it because there was an app not available on Amazon's.
DocMultimedia
macrumors 68030
"Win" by creating your own OS, phone, and store. People/companies have complete freedom to do that.
I7guy
macrumors Westmere
Apple in the US is not a monopoly and I’d argue the App Store is one of the biggest wins for consumers ever. Apple, with some amount of sizeable investment, a thriving marketplace that has an indirect benefit for the billions of iPhone / iPad customers. It is the definition of a win-win.
I can't stand this argument... Because a smartphone is different from a gaming console, that's why. They're both technically computers but one is a necessity for existing in modern society and one is a toy.
Everyone loves to say that Apple’s 30% cut is unjustified, until they try to run an alternative store themselves. Distribution, security, compliance, payments, infrastructure, customer support, and trust at scale all have real costs that are largely invisible from the outside.
The DMA opened the door to alternative app stores, but opening a door doesn’t automatically create a sustainable business model behind it.
The DMA opened the door to alternative app stores, but opening a door doesn’t automatically create a sustainable business model behind it.
If it’s any consolation, to those who like me who think that apple was cooperating with the eu in bad faith, Apple’s App Store model is about to be blown open by agentic e-commerce.
Given that they allow people to buy things in the Amazon app, they’re going to have a hard time arguing in the courts that they should take a cut of any agentic ecommerce thdt happens in apps downloaded from the App Store (which they will no doubt try to do).
Given that they allow people to buy things in the Amazon app, they’re going to have a hard time arguing in the courts that they should take a cut of any agentic ecommerce thdt happens in apps downloaded from the App Store (which they will no doubt try to do).
terrapinjess
macrumors regular
“Subscription store”
You sure that had nothing to do with it? As a consumer, when I see subscription, it’s DOA for me. I know I’m not the only one.
You sure that had nothing to do with it? As a consumer, when I see subscription, it’s DOA for me. I know I’m not the only one.
macfacts
macrumors 603
steam only has about 300 employees. and doesn't have to pay a Microsoft tax.
turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
Ironically, this is the same problem if you have to switch platforms (iOS to Android, or vice versa).
It’s why “just switch if you don’t like Apple” is not effective or reasonable and why regulators are trying to tackle some of this stuff.
(Friction and switching costs…. Effective lock in, for practical purposes)
Not at all surprised. Trying to force competition where consumers don’t want/demand it isn’t a winning strategy.
surferfb
macrumors 68030
Not surprising, and not Apple's fault. Consumers have shown over and over and over again that they don't want third party stores. Which is why forcing them onto Apple just adds security and privacy issues without any benefit for 99% of consumers.
There's a reason third party app stores are incredibly niche on Android.
There's a reason third party app stores are incredibly niche on Android.
macfacts
macrumors 603
apple defenders say just build your own smartphone and then you can have your own digital app store, but if a juggernaut like Microsoft couldn't do that how can anyone else?
turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
I'm not sure we really know the real reason, do we?
Maybe subscription software like setapp is just not a good fit on mobile?
(especially with CTF in play)
If we take them at their word, it sounds like their marginal costs are such that they can't make it up in volume, which doesn't really mean "consumers have shown over and over that they don't want third party stores".
They are blaming the CTF being too onerous, as is Epic still.
Epic is just able to eat it (for now).
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Build a better phone and OS. Make it illegal for companies like google to withhold cross platform apps (no gatekeeping YouTube and gmail apps to only android and iOS for instance).
Amazing Iceman
macrumors 603
Apple fees happen behind the scenes for the regular user.
To prove their point, third-party app stores should reveal their app sales volume, and then we will know if these stores are really popular among users or were just a hype idea promoted by Sweeney.
So what’s the app volume for Setapp Mobile? Is it large enough to be profitable? Or are they just trying to blame Apple for their demise?
To prove their point, third-party app stores should reveal their app sales volume, and then we will know if these stores are really popular among users or were just a hype idea promoted by Sweeney.
So what’s the app volume for Setapp Mobile? Is it large enough to be profitable? Or are they just trying to blame Apple for their demise?
turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
Wait a minute, you're against Apple getting regulated but you want rules REQUIRING companies to release cross platform Apps?
(make it illegal "not to")
