If #Apple continues on this path I’m going to have to switch back to Android. The idea that they deserve a fee from developers for people simply running programs on their operating system is unhinged. The App Store fee is justified because it’s a distribution channel. But whatever this is, is nonsense.
@Gargron It‘s fun to read all the answers here from nerds who hate Apple for reasons 99% of normal users wouldn‘t care a second about. Rants from people who value customization over usability, over design, over privacy and over security. You may know how to make your Android phone secure and private, but my parents (and most everybody else I know) sure as hell don‘t and never will.
@dgavin Presenting it as a dichotomy between customization and usability or security is simply disingenious. Nobody is taking away system permission APIs, and the App Store never prevented an ugly or inaccessible app from being published. I don't understand why you need to so vigourously defend the rent-seeking behaviour of a three trillion dollar corporation.
@Gargron The iPhone is infrastructure. Infrastructure (especially as complex as this) has to be developed and maintained. Additionally Apple offers all the tools to develop apps for free. I totally get that they want to get some money back from billion dollar businesses like Spotify (who I have zero sympathy with, given how they rip off artists and steal podcast content).
@anderseknert@Gargron Look, I'm as anti-capitalistic as most of you, but I'm not stupid. They are a US company and their first priority is to make money. Why the hell would they give anything away when they can get away with selling it? Especially when for most users the status quo is better.
And why are you defending Epic, Spotify, Google, Meta or Twitter? They some of the few who will have to pony up the money (and as greedy as Apple). Small developers are free to use anything for free.
@Gargron I honestly can't see it going through. Every app developer I know is in revolt. They'll lose SO MANY apps.
Like, some current apps will get withdrawn (probably a LOT of current apps in the EU, as a lot just won't be profitable under the new rules), and they're going to lose so, so many FUTURE apps.
@just_a_frog There's a picture going around, I'll try to find it, about how expensive the "technology fee" is going to be for people whose apps aren't generating significant money, but do see a lot of downloads. It's to the point that I've seen people suggesting an "app insurance" product that developers could sign up for, in case they get in just that trouble.
@Gargron Wait... Really? This is where you draw the line? I mean.. I'm happy, don't get me wrong..
I'm just sort of fascinated that after years of lying, deeply anticompetitive practices, vendor lock-in and deep hostility to the open web and free software... (Not to mention mediocre products, but that's more subjective)
@davidhmccoy@lisamelton I pay for the hardware and OS when I purchase my device. Developers who don’t want to use the App Store don’t use their distribution channel. The marketing and trust benefits Apple above all.
@Gargron@davidhmccoy@lisamelton They provide platform or infrastructure services even if external AppStores are used, i.e. (at least automated) code reviews and notarization services. I guess they want get paid for that.
Bodo, they themselves added the requirements to use those services. They could remove these requirements and avoid incurring the associated costs. Besides, the developer account costs $99/year already — that also pays for something, right?
@grishka Hi Grigori,
Apple owns the brand. They own the most valuable brand in the world. Even if we own the devices, they own the platform.
They would be crazy if they would allow malicious apps infiltrating devices or the platform. It would harm or destroy the brand.
As an Apple shareholder and decade-long user I expect from them, that this will not happen.
For this reason I am fully pro that they implement proper measures to keep the filth outside. #Apple#iOS174#DMA
@HistoPol@Gargron If you want to reclaim privacy, just enable E2E on your iPhone? I don’t see how E2E is gonna be that much different regardless of platform.
@Gargron I miss when android really was an open platform. Android might let you “install” any side loaded app, but the hardware and os is so locked down.
I really wish there was good third option in the phone space. :(
@huffles@Gargron you can install a third party OS, like Lineage, and use an open source app store like F-Droid. Not trivial, to be sure, but a lot easier than it used to be.
@BigAngBlack@huffles some people say we should prefer android over #linux mobile because its security model is better. Dunno, never really warmed up to it. There is something claustrophobic and disagreeable about the #android experience, both as user and as developer. I really wish we hadn't wasted decades on it but there was no choice on the matter. This is what oligopolies do to you. They rob your life's options.
@huffles Google's version of #Android is pretty locked down at the OS and Play Service levels, but I don't think the situation is remotely similar to Apple's overt monopolistic behaviour: Google (evil as it is) has never attempted to collect rent or otherwise restrict devs who distribute their apps via alternative channels like #FDroid.
@intermobility@david_megginson@huffles just give it a few years, and it will also happen to Apple customers. Because Apple is slowly building an ad business, and all of the customers will be their product
AFAIK the opt-in tracking is part of their ad plan, as apple has other ways to get that data, and the opt-in tracking makes it harder for their competitors to compete.
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