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U.S. Government to Investigate Sideloading and Web App Restrictions on iOS
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I love these “investigations” where they openly state their bias and conclusions at the beginning. Gee, kids, what do you think this “investigation” will conclude?
I’m not in favor of forcing Apple to do it, but doesn’t mean that people who want them to do it can’t make that known.
If Apple can find a way to make up the lost revenue, I‘d bet they’d come around.
Nice of you to leave out the reasoning for that.
“Google has created significant friction for sideloading apps to Android devices. One developer explained to Subcommittee staff that sideloading entails a complicated twenty-step process, and users encounter multiple security warnings designed to discourage sideloading.”
An investigation by he government into whether the government needs to be involved? It doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes.
You hope the karma of wanting my phone to work a certain way will bite me? Okay buddy, maybe that’s enough internet for you today.
I am and I won’t use them…I don’t have any burning desire to sideload anything onto my iPhone. There is some functionality I would like to see added to iOS that Apple may never opt to implement. I value the security of the platform, which I still have issues with Apple about, and I think the App Store does the best job of providing that. Apple has to keep it secure if they want to keep customer confidence and since the iPhone is their single most important product, I believe apple will ensure this. Third party stores don’t have that sort of “incentive”.
Apple’s cut can always be debated, this talk of competition is from people who have an axe to grind with Apple. Or for some curious reason believe that the iPhone should be a PC, which it isn’t and shouldn’t. There are some seriously strange opinions regarding what Apple should be making and my retort is to simply not buy an iPhone and find someone who makes what you want from a phone instead of trying to force Apple to build it. It makes zero sense, Apple hasn’t changed, this is how they’ve always been. They and Google don’t have a duopoly, they simply have the zeitgeist and the momentum. The same with Windows and MacOS, we still have Linux and some other smaller operating systems. MS gave up on the mobile phone market, is that Apple and Google’s fault? No. At the time, iOS was just starting and MS had a decent OS, but couldn’t get devs behind it, and dropped out. This notion that Google and apple stifle competition is absurd. The market and users decided and government interference is just going to screw things up, nanny state laws won’t simply grant some third party to magically compete. Look at the infrastructure and R&D needed to build a mobile phone now. I’m not saying that’s right or ideal, but it is what it is.
Punish successful companies. We used to live in a country were innovation and success were important. Now only what politicians want is important. Apple obviously isn't bribing enough polticians.
Yes because smartphones and desktops are used for the exact same kinds of software. I know I use Waze on my MacBook all the time while I’m driving. Oh and SkySafari when I’m in the middle of nowhere using my go-to telescope. I plug a desktop and monitor into some potato batteries and run everything that way. ?
You seem to not understand the unintended consequences of what you are asking for and so if I’m going to end up getting bit in the ass, I hope you do as well. I don’t have any desire for third party app stores and more government regs to force Apple to change what it’s doing now.
If that makes mean and vindictive, we’ll, I’m fine with that label. I have no desire to continue debating this ****wittery.
Yeah, maybe you’ve had enough of the Internet today as well.
Risk vs Reward. The risk side rapidly rising. As long as Apple has the App store with additional security checks, only place I will get software for IOS devices. The same with very few exceptions for the Mac. The message to developers, put their apps in the App Store or loose a sale.
Again, that seems reasonable. I certainly wouldn’t want anyone forced to use third party app stores.
It‘s my opinion that the government involving itself here isn’t going to net win for anyone except government and lawyers.
Maintenance and longevity seem to be outside of the scope of what Apple can offer with the App Store.
Will it be the best place for your app to make money? Yes. Sure.
But with Apple removing apps that are over two years old without updates (including games), sideloading to make these games or apps available wouldn’t be a terrible idea.
Will it be the best place for your app to make money? Yes. Sure.
But with Apple removing apps that are over two years old without updates (including games), sideloading to make these games or apps available wouldn’t be a terrible idea.
Oh, Twitter rumblings! Well it’s a done deal then. ?
I don't, that's the problem.
And since I don't know, I assume they do because unless there is a public scrutiny of what they do (and there isn't) the worst case scenario is the most likely when it comes to profit for a corporation.
This is what happens when you dont buy off enough politicians. Apple should have given more money to Biden. Now we have giant corporations fighting over money and people trying to explain why some corporations getting some money based on some one else's platform is the moral vision we all need.
Except there will be a mass exodus from the app store. Some apps will not be available because the makers can make more many by selling it themselves. It is fine. But it is a pain to constantly go through various payment processors, having to go through various activation schemes -- that may fail. Also games from larger studios will not be available on the app store anymore, as each studio will have their own game app store -- to circumvent payment to Apple. Much like with movies and TV with Disney, Amazon, Netflix, etc., you'll have to install all those stores on your phone. Even Google and Microsoft apps may have their own app stores. And how about security for those stores and apps? How open will the phone OS be? Will law require full system access? Or can it be somewhat contained like currently on the Mac? Also a regular phone user might not know what granting system access might entail -- currently you are constantly bombarded with Apple's safety net, but I'm sure developers will ask lawmakers for the removal of all these app restriction settings. It is fine to do it the Mac way, but make no mistake, the seamless user experience will break. There are user gains for sure, but I have to see how things will work out from a user experience and security standpoint.
Sure. They’ll leave initially but they’ll come back crying sooner or later. There’s a reason why game developers for instance sell on GOG, Epic games, steam, etc. It’s just so convenient and users can find their stuff far easier. Why sell on steam and give steam cut of their profits when they can sell on their own website? Even well known devs like Microsoft are on the Mac App Store.
YET! As soon as the option exists there will be companies pushing it as the only option. Even more so once the next step and the order to allow alternate stores.
And, yes, I may be impacted. The use case for mobile is different than that of PC / Mac. They are always one, always with, and (for many people) always in hand. They are also much more closely coupled with online services (iCloud / Family / Handoff / Contacts / etc.). In one person I know or knows me installs an app that is, let's say, less than ethical that app will find me and I will most likely be impacted.
apple should just let people sideload. it's not going to harm anyone for goodness sake. they don't have a problem letting people download apps on MacOS that don't come from their store. Windows, Linux, Android, and MacOS allow it so why not iOS? they are too scared to lose control and money from their cashcow.
the US gov should force apple to implement sideloading. If you don't want to use it then don't. Simple as that. If you like your hand being held and/or sucking up to Apple then you can keep downloading stuff from the App Store. Everyone should still be given the choice to NOT use the App Store.
the US gov should force apple to implement sideloading. If you don't want to use it then don't. Simple as that. If you like your hand being held and/or sucking up to Apple then you can keep downloading stuff from the App Store. Everyone should still be given the choice to NOT use the App Store.
Apple should, yes. But it is their right to do so. As long as they're not using any anti-competitive practices, they are the ones with the ultimate rights to determine what should happen on their own platform, store, and so on. Apple owns and maintain the platform, the app store, and so on, this isn't a public forum.
Government forcing companies to open up their platforms, app stores, absolutely not.
If the market wants an open platform and open app store, they can go with Android or have the government create their own OS, devices, and app store.
If Google promises an open app store and platform but uses practices such as enforcing 20+ steps barrier to sideload that is absolutely unreasonable or create FUD, then the government should write the laws to regulate the said open app stores rules and enforce it but not to private companies that do not have open app stores.
Right. Android allows sideloading. Why remove the option of a platform that does not? This removes choice of platform as iOS and Android will become indistinguishable.
The App Store is not the best platform for app discovery anyway - unless you are one of ht top popular apps. There are millions of apps on the store (per Apple) but I only ever see the same few hundred rotated around. Developers need to market and own responsibility for their own discovery.