Then charge people for it. Apple has an annual developer registration fee, they should cover their platform costs using that instead of an arbitrary surcharge. If you want us counting our blessings, Apple also generously "gives away" access to a browser and phone app that don't see the need for all-encompassing payment processing. Those aren't giveaways though, those are basic features that have existed since before the App Store was an app. Apple's insistence on conflating their value is a textbook case of bundling.
Apple can be justified in charging whatever they want for their App Store if comparable services have a chance to compete. Nobody is prevented from sticking with OEM defaults if they choose.
The developer's fee is for the SDK and other software. It has nothing to do with the store. Why this is confused feels very disingenuous to me. No vendor selling product through a 3rd party store EVER receives 100% of the retail price. They always sell at wholesale which is a much steeper rate than 30%
This is the part that I agree with, and is the only valid argument out of all of these emotional whining of not making all of the retail pricing. The fact that only one store is allowed to exist makes it a hinky situation grey area for me. I personally don't have an issue with it, as I will not just jump to any ol app store UNLESS they can prove they are not allowing absolute shite malicious stealing nefarious devs to infect the store. I have 0 trust that will happen though. We'll see what the next store decides to take as their cut though. If they come out and take 30%, I will laugh.
Okay, so you are paying for the publishing. It's still not the same thing as selling wholesale to a retailer which is where the confusion seems to be. I realize I'm on a forum catering to the devs that really want all of the pennies and feel like selling their apps at a whole price is unheard of.
Then charge people for it. Apple has an annual developer registration fee, they should cover their platform costs using that instead of an arbitrary surcharge. If you want us counting our blessings, Apple also generously "gives away" access to a browser and phone app that don't see the need for all-encompassing payment processing. Those aren't giveaways though, those are basic features that have existed since before the App Store was an app. Apple's insistence on conflating their value is a textbook case of bundling.
Apple can be justified in charging whatever they want for their App Store if comparable services have a chance to compete. Nobody is prevented from sticking with OEM defaults if they choose.