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Hmmm.. Apple makes the phones that run only Apple's OS. Apple's OS runs apps that others create, but only Apple controls (they can dis-approve of you at any t

Hmmm.. Apple makes the phones that run only Apple's OS. Apple's OS runs apps that others create, but only Apple controls (they can dis-approve of you at any time, and can change the rules at any time). Despite paying fees and sharing revenue with Apple, that developer cannot create any other revenue for themself without also paying-off Apple. If this isn't a monopoly, then what the hell are antitrust laws for?

dublidu 5y ago
People are too fixated on the definition of monopoly. We should just focus on anti-competitive practices.
- SV_BubbleTime 5y ago
  That would solve a lot of “well at worse it’s a duopoly so you still have a choice!”. But I’ve given up on purchasable politicians to enforce antitrust on big tech a long time ago. So I don’t know how it will happen. I’d sooner expect congressional term limits which might help.
- plandis 5y ago
  What is Apple doing that’s anti-competitive? How have consumers been harmed?
freediver 5y ago
It is not, because Apple is not the only supplier of the said commodity (apps). And apps are not only not a basic human right, but you can easilly get them elsewhere - Google, Microsoft.. or just from the web. What Apple is, is a private corporation with certain standards and rules for their products (which is one of the things that makes them desireable in the first place IMO). You have to obey these rules to get the benefit of their distribution platform. Millions of people end enterprises do because they believe those benefits outweight the cost and risk, us included. Imagine I want to sell my goods at a local farmer's market. I have to get their approval, obey their rules and pay their fees. It is up to me to wage in pros and cons. We accept that as perfectly normal. If it was the only farmer's market in the country then it would become problematic. What should happen is that this regulates through market forces. If indeed enough people are in protest of those rules so much that they start voting with their wallets elsewhere, thus hurting Apple's bottomline in a meaningful way, then the market just created pressures for Apple to change those rules.
plandis 5y ago
Apple doesn’t even have 30% of the smart phone market globally how can they have a monopoly on apps? Developers can just stop developing for Apple based systems if they chose.
theshrike79 5y ago
Compare it with this > Microsoft makes gaming consoles that run only Xbox OS. Xbox OS runs apps that others create, but only Microsoft controls (they can dis-approve of you at any time, and can change the rules at any time). Despite paying fees and sharing revenue with Microsoft, that developer cannot create any other revenue for themself without also paying-off Microsoft. Now do the same with Sony and Playstation, Nintendo and their consoles etc.

dublidu 5y ago

People are too fixated on the definition of monopoly. We should just focus on anti-competitive practices.

SV_BubbleTime 5y ago
That would solve a lot of “well at worse it’s a duopoly so you still have a choice!”. But I’ve given up on purchasable politicians to enforce antitrust on big tech a long time ago. So I don’t know how it will happen. I’d sooner expect congressional term limits which might help.
plandis 5y ago
What is Apple doing that’s anti-competitive? How have consumers been harmed?

freediver 5y ago

It is not, because Apple is not the only supplier of the said commodity (apps). And apps are not only not a basic human right, but you can easilly get them elsewhere - Google, Microsoft.. or just from the web. What Apple is, is a private corporation with certain standards and rules for their products (which is one of the things that makes them desireable in the first place IMO). You have to obey these rules to get the benefit of their distribution platform. Millions of people end enterprises do because they believe those benefits outweight the cost and risk, us included. Imagine I want to sell my goods at a local farmer's market. I have to get their approval, obey their rules and pay their fees. It is up to me to wage in pros and cons. We accept that as perfectly normal. If it was the only farmer's market in the country then it would become problematic. What should happen is that this regulates through market forces. If indeed enough people are in protest of those rules so much that they start voting with their wallets elsewhere, thus hurting Apple's bottomline in a meaningful way, then the market just created pressures for Apple to change those rules.

plandis 5y ago

Apple doesn’t even have 30% of the smart phone market globally how can they have a monopoly on apps? Developers can just stop developing for Apple based systems if they chose.

theshrike79 5y ago

Compare it with this > Microsoft makes gaming consoles that run only Xbox OS. Xbox OS runs apps that others create, but only Microsoft controls (they can dis-approve of you at any time, and can change the rules at any time). Despite paying fees and sharing revenue with Microsoft, that developer cannot create any other revenue for themself without also paying-off Microsoft. Now do the same with Sony and Playstation, Nintendo and their consoles etc.