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> Why shouldn’t Apple be able to charge developers for their platform when Epic can? Very few are making the argument that that Apple shouldn't be able to char

> Why shouldn’t Apple be able to charge developers for their platform when Epic can? Very few are making the argument that that Apple shouldn't be able to charge developers for the App Store platform - so long as there are other ways to install applications on iOS devices that don't require going through the App Store. The situation with Epic is different because even though Epic charges for the use of its software platform on PC it does not have the _only_ software platform for game distribution that can run on the PC. Off the top of my head, there is Steam, Origin, Humble, GOG, Battle.net, and XBox Games for PC as well as developers being able to directly distribute their games without using any third party software platform. Epic and other developers wouldn't have a problem with Apple charging for inclusion on the iOS App Store if there were other ways to install applications that didn't involve jailbreaking the device first - either a first-class-citizen sideloading capability for the end user or the ability for third-party app stores to run on iOS. Apple wouldn't be required include any other app store by default or even advertise that the feature is present if they didn't want to - they can leave all of the marketing and support up to whoever uses that facility.

zepto 6y ago
This can’t be true, since Android allows both sideloading and third-party stores, and yet epic is making the same complaint about them. But in any case this argument isn’t sound: if you make the case that people should be able to run their own Store then you are making the case that Apple shouldn’t be able to charge for the platform. The platform is not just the storefront user interface. It requires investment at every level from the silicon upwards.
- sushid 6y ago
  Have you read their complaint? Google specifically stepped in and had OnePlus cancel a deal with Epic which would have allowed their sideloaded app to be included by default with their phones. They also prevent other companies from making such a deal with Epic. Epic also tried to sideload the app at first but the OS specifically warns you that it can steal your information and heavily discourages users. That's fine in a general sense but it's not possible to get whitelisted nor is it possible for users to get automatic updates after going through it once. And when they do get an update, they have to go through the same bs again each and every time.

zepto 6y ago

This can’t be true, since Android allows both sideloading and third-party stores, and yet epic is making the same complaint about them. But in any case this argument isn’t sound: if you make the case that people should be able to run their own Store then you are making the case that Apple shouldn’t be able to charge for the platform. The platform is not just the storefront user interface. It requires investment at every level from the silicon upwards.

sushid 6y ago
Have you read their complaint? Google specifically stepped in and had OnePlus cancel a deal with Epic which would have allowed their sideloaded app to be included by default with their phones. They also prevent other companies from making such a deal with Epic. Epic also tried to sideload the app at first but the OS specifically warns you that it can steal your information and heavily discourages users. That's fine in a general sense but it's not possible to get whitelisted nor is it possible for users to get automatic updates after going through it once. And when they do get an update, they have to go through the same bs again each and every time.