Microsoft President Met With U.S. Antitrust Committee Investigating Apple and Expressed Concerns Over App Store

[funkahdafi]

Let's compare this to something else. Take Amazon. You are a 3rd party seller wanting to sell your goods. You really think you have the right to say hey Amazon Im going to sell my stuff on your site, that you pay to maintain and used your money to build its reputation to what it is now, and not give you 1 penny? I mean good luck I guess?

You want to play in someone's sandbox they built up on their money and consumer capital then it is pay to play. That is how the world works; nothing is free.

Now you can argue 30% is too high or not, but all devs should have to pay Apple SOME piece for using their store and customer base Apple built up on its own money.

Unfortunately, your comparison doesn't hold any grounds whatsoever. Because unlike Amazon, Apple leaves you no choice. As a dev, you either put your app on Apple's store or nowhere else. To stay with your comparison, a manufacturer of goods has a choice to sell their goods wherever they like. Amazon, other stores, their own stores, literally anywhere.

None of this has anything to do with Apple charging too much money. It's all about choice. Which Apple does not provide, and that is clearly an antitrust issue.

 

[iBluetooth]

reacted way too slow in adopting the graphical user interface for their software

Your saying the reluctance of Microsoft of releasing the Windows Api's didn't have any influence, or that they just didn't see the future trend of graphical software?

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

the problem is the compatibility. Most companies have to choose Microsoft Office because they have a monopoly. What we need a standard like wifi. Every company can make it compatible. Compete on features.

Compatibility isn't a problem. All of the programs I listed can import and export Microsoft Office files.

 

[Cosmosent]

Trust Busting is a Good Thing !

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Exactly, and if you don't like the Apple app store..or the way Apple does business...don't use them. Thee are others, Samsung, Google, etc

False. iOS is the only platform where the user can add additional software from a variety of companies but only via a single source.

On any other platform, you can either download additional programs from the open internet or use removable media to add additional programs. iOS is the only platform that's 100% capable of both, except Apple put up barriers completely blocking both (except via unintentional vulnerabilities.)

 

[Kabeyun]

I think it’s a bad sign for Apple that the antitrust subcommittee wanted a ‘private chat’ with an Apple competitor before an antitrust hearing in which Apple is in the hot seat. Is Microsoft really a dispassionate authority here?

 

[edgonzalez32]

Not even that, Microsoft is asking legitimate questions about app stores in general, not specifically Apple's App Store. They are basically asking regulators to formulate their vision for the future going forward when it comes to app stores, access to platforms (or restrictions to them) and the price of admission.

Yes, thank you. Definitely important to mention that it’s not just Apple specific.

 

[rgeneral]

Compatibility isn't a problem. All of the programs I listed can import and export Microsoft Office files.

Unfortunately they are not 100%. Basically Microsoft controls the standard. which means they are the monopoly.

 

[ryanmp]

Here's a solution... Apple just post instructions on how to Jailbreak your iOS device, which would allow loading of apps from outside the App Store, but in doing so you accept that your warranty is void and you will receive no support for software related issues.

All jokes aside, I saw this article a while back that said Android devices were responsible for nearly 50% of the observed malware... iOS was less than 1%. Now I'm sure these numbers and others need to be read with some caution, but isn't Apple's control of its ecosystem directly influencing this?

 

[MacBH928]

Uh, no. There’s endless piles of versions of Linux you could use, or macOS - you’re not forced to use Windows at all.

As for Microsoft Office, you could instead use Google’s programs, or iWork, or OpenOffice, or LibreOffice, or there’s tons of other smaller Office competitors.

you could also use Android, GrapheneOS, Lineage, Symbian, SailFish... you don't have to use iOS

 

[jlc1978]

You don't need to be in a monopoly position to get regulator attention. You just need to be in a position to negatively influence the market for your own gain, something Apple is easily capable of.

Again, it is not a bad thing nor does it mean Apple did something wrong. It's more about ensuring they won't.

True, but untill they do violate the law they should not be penalized nor forced to take action.

 

[Cosmosent]

Would love to see New Law that requires Apple to release per-Qtr, per-Category Revenue Numbers for the Top Ten App Stores around the world (@ each Quarterly OR Annual Earnings Release), & to specify the % of Revenue for each Category that comes from Apps that Apple has recommended.

IMO, Apple owes that to iOS & macOS App Developers !

 

[alien3dx]

you could also use Android, GrapheneOS, Lineage, Symbian, SailFish... you don't have to use iOS

for consumer, this issue not a problem. Its issue for developer distribution. For company just an issue to paid 30 percent google nor apple.

 

[0924487]

The thing is Walmart charges MS more than 30% for licenses and disk software sales.

 

[alex2792]

The fact that Apple’s App Store practices are anti-competitive is clear as day. Imagine if MS disallowed installing Windows programs outside of the App Store and forced every developer to fork over 30% of the subscription revenue while banning alternative payment processors.

 

[subi257]

False. iOS is the only platform where the user can add additional software from a variety of companies but only via a single source.

On any other platform, you can either download additional programs from the open internet or use removable media to add additional programs. iOS is the only platform that's 100% capable of both, except Apple put up barriers completely blocking both (except via unintentional vulnerabilities.)

Yes and i like it that way. Based on the "theory" that apps are being inspected and confirmed to be safe, legitimate and free of malware and mostly "just work". As opposed to other platforms where one could get all kinds of craziness...viruses, trojans, etc. That is one of the reasons that I have always been on Macs and the Apple ecosystem...along with the ecosystem where all devices interact together. Desktop computer, laptop, iPad, iPhone, watch, etc.

 

[jlc1978]

since when microsoft monopoly os ? if so i cannot use macos

The issue was because of their market share they could use their position to force licensees to give preferential treatment to their apps over competitors, using their monopoly (you need not have 100% market share to be viewed as having monopoly power) to drive adoption of a different product.

as i said you still confuse . i can develop any app executable in linux deploy in macos , windows ,linux(platform) and distribute to any sales platform i want.

I can develop android apps in linux,windows,macos(platform) and distribute whatever i want play store,huawei store,samsung store.

I only can develop ios apps in apple platform(must) and deploy in only apple store .

Yes, becasue Apple owns it and sets the terms. Nothing illegal about that since Apple does not have monopoly power over app development, since as you point out, there plenty of alternative platforms a developer can access.
[automerge]1595343976[/automerge]

The fact that Apple’s App Store practices are anti-competitive is clear as day. Imagine if MS disallowed installing Windows programs outside of the App Store and forced every developer to fork over 30% of the subscription revenue while banning alternative payment processors.

Anti-competitive means they can lessen or prevent competition, something that they cannot do since there are competing OS in the phone market. Simply because Apple controls their app store does not mean what they do is illegal, anymore than Steam not letting you run purchases outside of their app.
[automerge]1595344053[/automerge]

for consumer, this issue not a problem. Its issue for developer distribution. For company just an issue to paid 30 percent google nor apple.

However, damage to the consumer is what the law wants to prevent, not to the producewr of the product. They get to suck it up if they decide to sell on a platform.

 

[alien3dx]

The issue was because of their market share they could use their position to force licensees to give preferential treatment to their apps over competitors, using their monopoly (you need not have 100% market share to be viewed as having monopoly power) to drive adoption of a different product.



Yes, becasue Apple owns it and sets the terms. Nothing illegal about that since Apple does not have monopoly power over app development, since as you point out, there plenty of alternative platforms a developer can access.
[automerge]1595343976[/automerge]


Anti-competitive means they can lessen or prevent competition, something that they cannot do since there are competing OS in the phone market. Simply because Apple controls their app store does not mean what they do is illegal, anymore than Steam not letting you run purchases outside of their app.
[automerge]1595344053[/automerge]


However, damage to the consumer is what the law wants to prevent, not to the producewr of the product. They get to suck it up if they decide to sell on a platform.

again same thing. dono how to reply more haish. if unix dont open nor macos also alive or linux. It is not monopoly since microsoft also venture on linux. Apple only sit in their chair scare competition. Just that simple.

 

[jimbobb24]

Nothing better than getting the govt to bully your competitors. That’s worth millions in R&D and advertising.
[automerge]1595345897[/automerge]
Are the PlayStation or Nintendo stores ok for their consoles? This road of punishing vendors who lock down their devices and stores is a time honored and great tradition. Others that are jealous of the success just want to be able to attack it so they can promote their products. It’s all pretty obvious.

 

[funkahdafi]

Are the PlayStation or Nintendo stores ok for their consoles? This road of punishing vendors who lock down their devices and stores is a time honored and great tradition. Others that are jealous of the success just want to be able to attack it so they can promote their products. It’s all pretty obvious.

Some people just don't get it.

You can buy Playstation and Nintendo games outside of the Sony/Nintendo online stores. You can buy them on Amazon, you can buy discs at your local store, you can buy them anywhere. You can't do any of that with Apple.

 

[The Cappy]

Doesn't Microsoft do something exactly like that with their Windows for ARM devices? And hadn't they also done exactly like this before the Windows phone died?

 

[funkahdafi]

Doesn't Microsoft do something exactly like that with their Windows for ARM devices? And hadn't they also done exactly like this before the Windows phone died?

Nope. Their UWP was open, meaning, you were able to install UWP apps (ARM) from anywhere. If you were able to find some, that is.

 

[jlc1978]

again same thing. dono how to reply more haish. if unix dont open nor macos also alive or linux. It is not monopoly since microsoft also venture on linux.

Exactly. Apple is not a monopoly but simply one choice amongst many

Apple only sit in their chair scare competition. Just that simple.

Even if that is the case it is not illegal. Developrs have a choice and can develop for other systrems. They want access to Apple's iOS user base they must pay Apple's fees; just like any company that wants anotehr to sell their product.

It really is that simple.

 

[mrkite77]

I guess Brad forgot about the Xbox Live E-commerce store they run where Microsoft takes 30% of a game publisher’s Xbox App Store revenues.

"Microsoft has announced today that it is updating its Microsoft Store revenue sharing agreement. The company says that starting immediately, developers will keep 95 percent of app revenue, while Microsoft will take the remaining 5 percent."

 

[jlc1978]

Some people just don't get it.

You can buy Playstation and Nintendo games outside of the Sony/Nintendo online stores. You can buy them on Amazon, you can buy discs at your local store, you can buy them anywhere. You can't do any of that with Apple.

Which is irrelevant. There is nothing illegal about Apple controlling access, aand charging for, to their user base since they are not a monopoly. It's no different than a retailer marking up a product they sell.