Just waiting on the US DOJ to make their move so I can finally have control of my iPhone, my property. Oh, and keep greedy Apple from being so incredibly greedy (in the name of "security").
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Spain Launches Investigation Into Apple's App Store
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
What makes you think the consumer isn't making the choices they intend to make? I see a market that has a lot of competition, and consumers that consistently rate Apple high in consumer satisfaction.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
I don't recall even ONE example in all of history when the loss of complete control in a "Company Store" situation made the consumers "lose." But if you do know of even one tangible example, please share and teach me something new.
Maybe it's like how someone can face both civil and criminal charges for the same crime.
The government launches a criminal case to determine if a crime(s) has been commited while the victims of the crime(s) file a civil suit for injuries and losses.
It seems like the latter is what's happening here since Apple's penalty is a fine (for Spain's injuries and losses) if they're found guilty.
The National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC) this week announced a probe into the App Store, citing concerns that the company might be imposing unfair trading conditions on developers who distribute their applications through the platform. The investigation was initiated ex officio, reflecting the significant economic influence of app stores in Spain. Apple's practices could constitute an abuse of a dominant position, which is prohibited under Spanish competition laws and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
If the CNMC's investigation confirms these allegations, Apple could face fines up to 10% of its global annual turnover, potentially amounting to billions of euros.
You lose when prices go up, you lose with Apple stops giving you features, you lose if Apple stops selling phones with iOS on in the EU, etc. And seeing how we are in uncharted territory and I still find it interesting that all the other closed platform don't have to open up, just Apple.
Paying 8%, 10% or 12% in transaction costs for software distribution instead of Apple's 15% or 30% does not make prices go up.
Your argument seems to rest on Apple retaliatorily increasing their hardware prices as a form of compensation.
Guess what? There's actually competition in smartphone hardware devices.
And there is or will also be competition bundled features like AI or display mirroring.
What I find strange is how Apple's hq/spaceship is in USA but pay taxes in Ireland.
Apple won't quit the EU and will continue to make money hand-over-fist, regardless of how open they have to become. End of story.
The US government should consider investigating some European companies for "anti-competitive practices".
You’re missing two of the newest fan favourites:
… I bought a walled phone and I demand it stays that way for everyone.
… what if an app I never used goes out of the apple app store to be distributed exclusively in a third party app store in Europe
You may be waiting longer than you believe. (Of course, I could wind up by eating those words)
Consumers are already doing their part. The iPhone had only 18% of the smartphone market in Spain in June of 2023.
In what way does this show that there's not competition?
Why is that strange. Many fortune 500 companies are headquartered in the USA and pay taxes abroad. (although you specifically mentioned Ireland)
I think they are in line with the critics favorites:
- It's a monopoly
- it's anti-competitive
- governments also do what's right for their citizens
- Apple should just cave in and give the app store away
Care to point out what Spotify has done that violates Sherman anti-trust laws, specifically?
The op wants apple to be investigated for spotify lol. But the same, care to point out what apple has done that violates Sherman anti-trust laws that have been proven?
Read the DOJ suit and draw your own conclusions. I'm not copying and pasting it.
Apparently as long as a company is liked, they should be able to do as they wish without regard for laws.
There are many variants of Android being used by other manufacturers. For example, Samsung runs its own version of the Android OS called Samsung Experience. That's both in competition with Apple and Google.
There are dozens of 3rd party app stores available that provide direct competition to Apple and Google. For example:
- Samsung Galaxy Store
- Amazon Appstore
- Huawei AppGallery
- Xiaomi Mi GetApps
- OPPO App Market
- VIVO App Store
- PLAYAPKS App Store
- Honor App Market
I've read the DOJ report several times. It's an extremely weak case that I expect will get tossed early in the process. The primary fault is that no company has ever been held to be a monopoly with as small a marketshare as Apple IOS has.
12 flavors of chocolate isn't competition when I don't want chocolate or vanilla.
This makes zero sense in the scope of the discussion. Again, there is a lot of competition in the mobile OS and app store space.
There is no competition on iOS, which is the complaint.
The EU wants store competition within each operating system, not independent of the OS.