It has everything to do with it. Mircrosoft has their own TOS and policies that restrict certain content and revenues just like apple, just not in the exact same way
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Microsoft Supports Epic Games, Says Apple Blocking Access to Unreal Engine Would Harm Game Creators
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It has everything to do with it. Mircrosoft has their own TOS and policies that restrict certain content and revenues just like apple, just not in the exact same way
Apples feels that 30% is fair, based on their valuation of Apple’s technology, tools and software for the development, testing and distribution of developers’ apps and digital content.
Including (their list not mine):
- All Apple software, SDKs, APIs, and developer tools
- Pre-release versions of iOS, iPad OS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS
- Pre-release versions of beta tools such as Reality Composer, Create ML, Apple Configurator, etc.
- Notarization service for macOS apps
- App Store Connect platform and support (for example, assistance with account transition, password reset, app name issues)
- TestFlight
- Access to provisioning portal for certificate generation, and provisioning profile generation
- Ability to enable Apple services in-app (i.e. Apple Pay, CloudKit, PassKit, Music Kit, HomeKit, Push Notifications, Siri Shortcuts, Sign in with Apple, kernel extensions, FairPlay Streaming)
- Access to Apple-issued keys for connecting to services such as MusicKit, DeviceCheck, APNs, CloudKit, Wallet
- Access to Developer ID signing certificates and Kernel Extension signing certificates - Developer Technical Support
- Participation in Universal App Quick Start Program, including the right to use the Developer Transition Kit (which must be returned to Apple)
- Engineering efforts to improve hardware and software performance of Unreal Engine on Mac and iOS hardware; optimize Unreal Engine on the Mac for creative workflows, virtual sets and their CI/Build Systems; and adoption and support of ARKit features and future VR features into Unreal Engine by their XR team
You are free to disagree whether that is worth 30% or not; Apple feels that it is. Maybe in time it can be "unbundled", I don't know - but for now (much like my cable and cell phone bill) it is what it is, (and I'm free to switch if I don't like the costs, even if it disrupts my ability to perform work from home).
No, it does not. Stop trying to deflect from Apple's monopolistic practices by trying to compare them to another companies potential monopolistic practices.
Well then, Apple thinks it's fair so therefore it must be fair...right? The problem is fair or not is not exclusively defined by Apple. Epic doesn't seem to feel it's fair. Who's right?
Well, thats okay. Apple can do the same...
Just deliver iPhones with locked iOS (S) and provide a way to unlock to iOS (Pro). Problem solved!
uh - on Apples platform, Apple is right. If Epic doesn't like the terms, they can leave and sue (which, they did already). If they break the terms, they can be escorted out (developer cert revoked). If Epic didn't think through all the consequences of their actions (Unreal Engine being in jeopardy), that's on them.
There are plenty of items in the world that I feel are overpriced (Tesla Model 3 w/ Autopilot, for example) - by your logic, should I just take it and say "Elon - no fair, the price was higher than I wanted to pay, but I still wanted it so you need to give it to me".
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Please explain how xbox’s store is any different, all you’ve done is say “you’re wrong” but can’t tell me why.
MIcorsoft: There is no where else to buy digital xbox games. Developers have to abide by that, and their rules only and give a 30% cut
Apple: there is no where else to buy apps. Developers have to abide by that, and their rules only and give a 30% cut
Tell me the difference....
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Epic should have established Unreal as a separate entity years ago to protect its Unreal developers from harm if anything ever happened to Epic games. Not doing so could be considered reckless from a business standpoint.
Thank goodness, this particular issue can be easily solved compared with someone suing Epic and taking Unreal down with it.
Epic needs to stop playing chicken with Apple out of respect for their developers instead of whining that they didn't consider the consequences with this. Did they not read the terms befor they started this?
Apple has already shown what they will do if Epic breaks the rules, Epic has already filed its case.
Epic only has to put their Fortnite in-app purchases back the way they were until later and protect their Unreal developers without an injunction. It's not going to change their case.
Thank goodness, this particular issue can be easily solved compared with someone suing Epic and taking Unreal down with it.
Epic needs to stop playing chicken with Apple out of respect for their developers instead of whining that they didn't consider the consequences with this. Did they not read the terms befor they started this?
Apple has already shown what they will do if Epic breaks the rules, Epic has already filed its case.
Epic only has to put their Fortnite in-app purchases back the way they were until later and protect their Unreal developers without an injunction. It's not going to change their case.
You know what, Apple needs to be challenged with everything going on here.
Challenge conventions: if they're good and make sense and survive scrutiny, they deserve to survive. If they can't take it, maybe they weren't that good to begin with. Evolution is a good thing.
I'm not just talking App Store or money-related things. Look at how we have to get music on an iPhone, at least not considering Apple Music. It's kind of outdated, but nobody's challenging it, so it really hasn't changed. Then Spotify took the world by storm, and now here goes Apple doing the same thing. It works way better, if you don't mind paying a monthly fee. I'm not sure how I'd improve offline music on iPhone, probably start with overhauling the iTunes program though.
Epic's methods may be questionable, but their questions deserve to be asked. Does Apple deserve a flat 30% of their revenue from iOS users, or should it be capped at some amount? Does Apple's service justify what Epic is paying? Yes, Epic agreed to these terms, but they are also a huge revenue stream for Apple that Apple does not want to just lose, so Epic has some leverage to ask these questions.
The 'App Store model' that Apple is worried about losing is just their revenue stream, there's no altruistic side to it at all. If you look at the featured apps, all of them are either paid apps, or have in-app purchases. Some have both and some have recurring subscriptions as well. Additionally, there are entire types of apps Apple doesn't allow at all, like emulators, which Google allows in the Play Store and haven't opened Google to any legal liability yet. So we see it isn't about legal liability, it's about Apple not being able to make money off of freeware projects. Any app that isn't making Apple money (or even if it is) can be booted off at any time for any reason with no recourse. That is absolutely something that should be challenged.
Challenge conventions: if they're good and make sense and survive scrutiny, they deserve to survive. If they can't take it, maybe they weren't that good to begin with. Evolution is a good thing.
I'm not just talking App Store or money-related things. Look at how we have to get music on an iPhone, at least not considering Apple Music. It's kind of outdated, but nobody's challenging it, so it really hasn't changed. Then Spotify took the world by storm, and now here goes Apple doing the same thing. It works way better, if you don't mind paying a monthly fee. I'm not sure how I'd improve offline music on iPhone, probably start with overhauling the iTunes program though.
Epic's methods may be questionable, but their questions deserve to be asked. Does Apple deserve a flat 30% of their revenue from iOS users, or should it be capped at some amount? Does Apple's service justify what Epic is paying? Yes, Epic agreed to these terms, but they are also a huge revenue stream for Apple that Apple does not want to just lose, so Epic has some leverage to ask these questions.
The 'App Store model' that Apple is worried about losing is just their revenue stream, there's no altruistic side to it at all. If you look at the featured apps, all of them are either paid apps, or have in-app purchases. Some have both and some have recurring subscriptions as well. Additionally, there are entire types of apps Apple doesn't allow at all, like emulators, which Google allows in the Play Store and haven't opened Google to any legal liability yet. So we see it isn't about legal liability, it's about Apple not being able to make money off of freeware projects. Any app that isn't making Apple money (or even if it is) can be booted off at any time for any reason with no recourse. That is absolutely something that should be challenged.
MacOS has always been open same as Windows. iOS Platform has never been open.
Apple has said they'd be willing to continue their relationship with Epic while all of this is litigated if Epic would resume following the TOS until such a time that the courts rule in Epic's favor. Epic, for now, seems to be unwilling to do that. Epic is doing this to its own Unreal Engine customers and users, and trying to pass the blame off onto Apple.
The proportions are still the same, as they should be - like taxes (not that the USA has a good record here...). Yes, it's 'costing' them more, but they're also making more as a company.
You can't change the rules once you become successful to further stack the game in your favour. It's just disgusting greed.
In that case, no, because there's hundreds (thousands?) of banks out there offering car loans and credit cards. It doesn't matter which one you get - most every bank is issuing VISA and MasterCard, so regardless of which one you get, you can do the same things with it.
If there were competing App Stores on iOS that a developer could distribute through, then yes, Apple could argue like you. As it is though, no, there aren't, because Apple is operating a monopoly.
But if you subscribe to that magazine via the store (if they offered it) they would get an initial rate plus a yearly kick for each subscriber.
But you do need to leave that bank and go to another to ask them for better rates? What is you are upset at the rates for the Target Card? Can you go to Citibank and ask them for a Target card?
Except these are two companies working a business deal. Just like Wegman's sells their cola for dollars less than Coke but every month the two companies work out a deal where Coke is the same price. Coke reduces its price and Wegman buys a larger volume.
Why didn't Epic attempt this with Xbox (they take 30%). Or but a big poster inside of Walmart stating that the vbucks are cheaper online (Walmart takes 30%).
"A manufacturer’s own products do not themselves comprise a relevant product market” and a “company does not violate the Sherman Act by virtue of the natural monopoly it holds over its own product"
That is the court's interpretation of the Sherman Antitrust Act - not mine. So, no, Apple does not have a monopoly. There are other App Stores out there - they just don't work on the iOS/iPadOS. Just like the restrictions on Xbox and Playstation. If it a customer can't access a product on iOS, there is plenty of access readily available elsewhere.
Epic has even tweeted to name the OTHER places its customers could go and play Fortnight if it wasn't in the Apple App Store. Per Epic, in 2019 only 12% of Fortnights revenue came from iOS. Twelve Percent!
Look, personally I think 30% for the level of service is too high. There are plenty of areas to improve in the App Store experience, which Apple can certainly implement if they choose to. However, Epic's argument is pile of crap and the precedent that may be set if they lose will make it even more difficult to affect change in the future. Change may be legislated, however that may be appealed and overturned (See tax battle in Ireland).
Or, they could win, opening the door to more crap lawsuits all over the place (who's to stop me from suing Whole Foods for not letting me set up a "pop up shop" free in their buildings to get access to their clientele with limited overhead?)
iOS and iPhones are not a public utility - it is Apple's intellectual property, protected by law, and Epic can't use any of it without a license from Apple, included the agreed upon terms. (See recent Qualcomm court victory.)
Excellent point. Epic’s appeal for an emergency injunction is open-and-shut. They will lose that fight.
But then again, this was always a PR battle with a lawsuit on the side. Epic are well aware that Apple has zero legal obligation to do what they are demanding.
I called it:
Only a matter of time until other big players join in for similar reasons (or ditch Apple for gaming, altogether).
A dispute about the Crap Store should have never escalated outside the Crap Store. By threatening the developer account, Apple took this to the Mac where distribution has always happened outside the Crap Store. Apple claimed for years they would only revoke dev certificates / dev accounts for malware purposes. Apple's threat proves they lied and it's always been about control.
I sincerely hope Aug 28 passes and Apple cuts off Epic's dev account as they've threatened. I hope no judge intervenes. The long-term damage Apple would do to itself from that action would be more devastating than any court ruling. It's the only way to break free of the control-freaks in the 1984 ad. Their greed will be their undoing.
Only a matter of time until other big players join in for similar reasons (or ditch Apple for gaming, altogether).
A dispute about the Crap Store should have never escalated outside the Crap Store. By threatening the developer account, Apple took this to the Mac where distribution has always happened outside the Crap Store. Apple claimed for years they would only revoke dev certificates / dev accounts for malware purposes. Apple's threat proves they lied and it's always been about control.
I sincerely hope Aug 28 passes and Apple cuts off Epic's dev account as they've threatened. I hope no judge intervenes. The long-term damage Apple would do to itself from that action would be more devastating than any court ruling. It's the only way to break free of the control-freaks in the 1984 ad. Their greed will be their undoing.
The same red herring counter.Here for you,too. Research before posting!
How to upgrade Windows 10 S to Windows 10 Pro
So your PC came pre-loaded with Windows 10 S and you want to install programs from outside the Store. Here's how to upgrade your Windows 10 S machine to Windows 10 Pro.www.windowscentral.com
The point is Windows 10S exists with the lockdown of app installations. The free upgrade only came when Microsoft realized their plan backfired greatly. Previously users had to pay extra money to upgrade.
Now let me ask you. Why didn’t Microsoft get rid of Windows 10S completely instead of keeping it? You know what Microsoft actually wants. It will happen slowly.