ouimetnick
macrumors 68040
I would imagine that the outcome of the EU’s investigation or the US’s investigation would apply to ALL App Stores, not just Apple’s.
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Microsoft Says Antitrust Regulators Should Review App Stores
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I would imagine that the outcome of the EU’s investigation or the US’s investigation would apply to ALL App Stores, not just Apple’s.
I am actually a very productive person I will have you know! I run two businesses and am a single parent! Plus at least get your facts straight...I never said I didn't want them to report on it...I just asked if they could merge them into a single article.
I have no issue hearing about things that I don't agree with, that's life! I may think some things are irritating. I may think that some things are ridiculous. I may argue until my last breath over some things if I believe strongly enough. But I will never say that something shouldn't be reported. I'm just asking for a little common sense (IMHO) to pull together multiple related articles.
EDIT: Just out of curiosity, which particular part of my post were you referring to when you said "Based off your choice of language"?
This sentiment has come up several times across the related antitrust or App Store threads. Why do we think that without the 30% fee, Apple isn't able to maintain the iOS platform? Besides developer fees, Apple already charges a significant amount for their hardware - from both consumers and developers.
I'm not suggesting whether 30% is excessive or not, but let's not pretend that Apple doesn't already make an obscene amount of money.
Probably...so why not investigate them all concurrently then? Because even if the judgement goes against Apple and is then applied to all the others after the fact, it will be Apple that gets the vast majority of the negative press while the others manage to (to some extent at least) quietly brush it under the carpet with a TOC/EULA update.
EDIT: Double Post
JWreck
macrumors regular
I’d love to have a meaningful conversation about this, because I’m not sure exactly how I feel yet.
On one hand, these companies created their own App Stores, it’s their system, and I feel like they should be able to manage it as they see fit. I don’t believe there’s anything wrong with saying “if you don’t like the way Apple does it, you have options”. In fact, there are even legitimate reasons as to why this is a major benefit to consumers (compare Apple App Store to Android - which one is universally regarded as more secure?).
On the other hand, options are good. It does seem like Apple isn’t super consistent on enforcement, and I do think their review process is flawed. Would I like to be able to choose? Yes, but then that could fundamentally change the brand image for Apple (perhaps mostly for worse, sometimes for better).
I’m not nearly knowledgeable enough to have a strong opinion on it other than it seems like a complicated issue that has 2 correct sides.
On one hand, these companies created their own App Stores, it’s their system, and I feel like they should be able to manage it as they see fit. I don’t believe there’s anything wrong with saying “if you don’t like the way Apple does it, you have options”. In fact, there are even legitimate reasons as to why this is a major benefit to consumers (compare Apple App Store to Android - which one is universally regarded as more secure?).
On the other hand, options are good. It does seem like Apple isn’t super consistent on enforcement, and I do think their review process is flawed. Would I like to be able to choose? Yes, but then that could fundamentally change the brand image for Apple (perhaps mostly for worse, sometimes for better).
I’m not nearly knowledgeable enough to have a strong opinion on it other than it seems like a complicated issue that has 2 correct sides.
We should also acknowledge how Apple is steadily growing their portfolio of subscription services which compete directly with established players, most of which are already in the App Store and ostensibly subject to Apple's whims.
I've also read that (at least for Office 365) Apple is entitled to a percentage of the subscription fees if the user signs up for it through the App Store; but Apple may or may not prevent developers from advertising the ability to sign up for the subscriptions outside of the App Store (such as on Microsoft's site).
If this is true and also applies to Apple's direct competitors in the subscription services market, I could see it having very anti-competitive results.
LeadingHeat
macrumors 65816
They opened the can of worms, I wonder if it’ll come back to bite them in the long run.
BornAgainMac
macrumors 604
Maybe next week there will be an adjustment. That would be the best time to make the announcement.
One of the EU's complaint is exactly that Apple also forbids developers from mentioning other payment options being available:
Antitrust: Commission opens investigations into Apple\'s App Store rules
The European Commission has opened formal antitrust investigations to assess whether Apple\'s rules for app developers on the distribution of apps via the App Store violate EU competition rules. The in
(ii) Restrictions on the ability of developers to inform users of alternative purchasing possibilities outside of apps. While Apple allows users to consume content such as music, e-books and audiobooks purchased elsewhere (e.g. on the website of the app developer) also in the app, its rules prevent developers from informing users about such purchasing possibilities, which are usually cheaper.
Windows CE and other mobile phone apps used to take up to 90% of every sale. If you watch the keynote where Apple says they take 30% the response was not a gasp and silence. Folks were seeing that they could actually MAKE money at these rates.
lmao the only player among the big 3 without a successful app store calling for an investigation. yeah yeah
garylapointe
macrumors 68000
And no packaging or shipping or media...
Apple needs to offer an alternative to the commission rates. You can do 30%. Or pay something like:
- $2,000 for the SDK.
- $1,000 for each app submission (yearly fee).
- $500 for each update submission approval.
- $1 for every 100MB of the app downloaded.
- No access to the in-app purchase mechanism?
sideshowuniqueuser
macrumors 68040
The developers still pay Apple a fee if the app is free, just not the 30% cut, obviously.
Antitrust regulators are currently investigating competition in digital marketplaces, focusing on Facebook, Amazon, Google, and Apple.
Microsoft is not involved in the investigation, but Microsoft joined the conversation today when president Brad Smith said at a Politico event (via Bloomberg) that it's time for regulators to take a look at app stores. Smith was careful not to name Apple or Google, but those are the two companies that have major digital software marketplaces and that are the focus of the investigation.Microsoft distributes apps through the App Store and Google Play stores and has a vested interest in lowering the fees that app developers must pay. Microsoft pays Apple 15 to 30 percent for any customers who subscribe to Office 365 through Apple's platform.
Some app stores, says Smith, have created "higher walls and far more formidable gates" than what existed 20 years ago when Microsoft itself lost a Windows antitrust case.
Apple is facing an antitrust investigation in the United States, which is nearing completion, as well as a separate investigation in the EU that was just announced earlier this week. Both investigations are looking at App Store fees and the competitive advantages Apple's own apps have on Apple platforms.
Article Link: Microsoft Says Antitrust Regulators Should Review App Stores
Hilarious considering the source!
techfreak23
macrumors 6502a
You’re missing the point... the store you bought it from is still taking a cut by marking up the product because they have paid for the store front that you walked into. You walked into that store in the first place because you view it as a trustworthy place of business. How does that not work in your head and how is that different from the App Store?
falainber
macrumors 68040
I7guy
macrumors Westmere
Sure developers have a choice. Windows, Linux, Red Hat, plus I'm sure there are others. A dev doesn't accidentally get locked into a development ecosystem, it's a conscious decision. Seems like some want in and then want Apple (or whomever) to play by their rules.
Appleman3546
macrumors 6502
Somebody should ask Microsoft about Windows 10S, where you can only download apps from the Windows Store.
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Then the reverse should be true as well, no? Allow Xbox users to download games from outside the Xbox/Microsoft store. Wonder if Microsoft would agree to that.
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Let Microsoft know about their own Windows 10S.
pratikindia
macrumors 6502
But you can still buy physical discs and install games. But on iOS, you can't sideload.
btrach144
macrumors 68040
Microsoft’s Xcloud will only work if apple will allow streaming game services. Right now, Xcloud works perfectly on android but only halo can be played on iOS.
This is Microsoft trying to bring xcloud to Apple users. I fully support Microsoft on this approach because game streaming is the future!
I’d honestly consider switching to android of Apple doubles down
This is Microsoft trying to bring xcloud to Apple users. I fully support Microsoft on this approach because game streaming is the future!
I’d honestly consider switching to android of Apple doubles down