I completely understand the argument here, but the problem is that there is no other option. I think that there is a middle ground here if Apple allowed users or apps (i.e. a secondary app store) to install other apps without going through the Apple app store. If you want to stay in Apples walled-garden you have that choice, otherwise, install your own apps.
There are arguments about how well this works in the Android ecosystem, but I think that simply having the ability to do it, even if inconvenient is a world of difference than being beholden to a single entity. Imagine if Windows only allowed you to install apps from its app store. You could make all the same arguments that it should be able to do this just as you would for the Apple store.
> If you want to stay in Apples walled-garden you have that choice, otherwise, install your own apps.
That’s not the only option here — you could also just use an Android phone to begin with.
I’m a happy iPhone user and the fact that it is a closed ecosystem is part of the reason why... I’m happy to pay that premium (both in cost and flexibility). I don’t want my phone crashing because some developer pushed out a buggy update and they didn’t want to pay the iOS developer fee.
You can be perfectly happy so long as the app you rely on is available. If Apple decides to axe it (cough Hey cough) you and the developer are at their mercy. It doesn't matter that you could've bought an Android to begin with. The rules are changing while you're holding onto a device and that should not be possible.
I like to play Fortnite with my kids. I hook up an Xbox controller and play on my iPad Pro. One kid is on a Switch, the other on an Xbox. As of yesterday, I can’t play with them. I very much miss that experience.
However, I still support Apple’s decision to pull them from the App Store. Why? Because I don’t want there to be another mechanism for in-app purchases on iOS that isn’t subject to parental controls. I love my kids, but there is no way that they should be able to buy anything from an App that I haven’t approved.
Note: I’m sure this would never happen with my kids as they know better and we’ve discussed the perils of in-app purchases and avoiding installing games they see in ads. But their accounts are locked down, just the same.
I absolutely agree with Apple's decision to pull the app. However I don't agree that you should be forced to use the App store. If Epic had the choice maybe parents wouldn't let their children play because of the lack of parental control. That would be a good thing, since that's actually market competition at work. As it is now, Epic's model isn't even allowed to fail.
A lot of these types of arguments are just kind of absurd and flat. We are developer the rules are what we make them. Apple can allow other software stores while still having effective parental controls. None of these things are mutually exclusive.
False dichotomy. No one is claiming that Apple shouldn’t be able to provide the option of limiting phones with parental controls to the main App Store if the parents set it up that way.
> If Apple decides to axe it (cough Hey cough) you and the developer are at their mercy.
Consumers and developers have very different interests. Locked down system is good for consumers, not so much for developers. I'm a consumer, Apple makes its money mostly from consumers, so it makes sense keeping it as it is.
I want to use the app and Apple won’t let me. How is that in my interest? Do you think you will always agree wit Apple‘s rulings? Also the Apps Apple is selling come from developers (and it’s a billion dollar market), so the idea that everything‘s fine and there’s nothing to see here is rather ignorant.
The fact that iOS is closed doesn’t in practice take away my freedom as a user basically ever. The store is overflowing with apps, the prices are comparable to the Play Store and there’s nothing but minor functionality differences between Android and iOS.
The fact that the App Store is closed really takes away freedom from developers and publishers who have no choice to play ball with Apple and who I am always happy are getting constantly bullied into not being shitty to their users.
It really is pretty amazing that Apple gets to take 30% off the top for the privilege, Apple wouldn’t have any real leverage if companies didn’t mistreat users to the point where Apple’s garden is a panacea.
In theory that sounds like an alternative but in practice it’s not.
Developers are not going to create two versions of the same app, one for the App Store and one for an Alt Store on the same devices.
If enough apps decide they rather develop for the Alt Store without the rules of the App Store, that’s where people will migrate if they wish to continue using said app. This happened on the Mac already where some developers decided to build their apps outside of the Mac App Store due to constraints.
Whether you agree or disagree agree with Apple here, or wish for there to be alternatives, this is a factor that shouldn’t be ignored.
A lot of the security model on iOS is because the AppStore restricts what entitlements you have. I’m sure the the first thing any third party store would do is drop those restrictions.
I’m also sure that any of those stores would sell out the users to get software on their store: want Facebook? Remove the requirement that apps don’t abuse and invade the privacy of users. Facebook wants access the the home directly? Sure! Epic wants a list of other games installed on the system? Why not?
Malware works by appearing legitimate, and using that to get a foothold.
All companies like epic want is to profit off another company’s work without paying a cent for that - remember iOS users don’t pay for OS upgrades, so Apple isn’t making a pile of money of every user, every year.
The alternative is the Android model - there is no support or upgrades once the hardware has shipped, because once it’s been purchased it no longer produces revenue.
And the App Store does not one lick of good to help the User get any better about not falling prey to Malware.
Instead, the App Store is another layer of control through which overall control over competition can be exercised.
A completely valid model that allows all comers, bit weeds out Malware, is to loudly announce what something is actually doing.
Hey! Your Bluetooth is hyper-promiscuous! Hey! Your baseband processor is shoving stuff down the pipe! Hey! Your note taking App is trying to access your contacts, Photos, Mic, and files!
If you do not create a way for your User's to grok what the thing they are using is actually doing, then you're not ultimately out to empower them. You're out to empower you.
There are arguments about how well this works in the Android ecosystem, but I think that simply having the ability to do it, even if inconvenient is a world of difference than being beholden to a single entity. Imagine if Windows only allowed you to install apps from its app store. You could make all the same arguments that it should be able to do this just as you would for the Apple store.