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> Imagine the opposite case: Microsoft or Dell decides to lock things down and start demanding 30% of every dollar that flows through their gear. This is liter
by GeekyBear 5y ago
> Imagine the opposite case: Microsoft or Dell decides to lock things down and start demanding 30% of every dollar that flows through their gear.
This is literally already the case for XBox.
Microsoft tried to lock the Surface RT and Windows RT to their app store, but the product failed in the marketplace.
- wpietri 5y agoI agree they got away with it with the XBox. My question is whether that's morally right. People who believe that should presumably argue that Windows should be the same way. That they don't suggests that a status quo bias is in play here. Apple's App Store and vendor-locked consoles are seen as ok because they exist. But I think few would say Microsoft has the moral right to lock down Windows and take a 30% cut of all the software and software-based revenues, even if their dominant marketplace position (and lobbyist-influenced laws) would let them get away with it.
- Ekaros 5y agoAlso I wonder where the line should be drawn if Microsoft did it? Could they take 30% of let's say revenue done on Amazon? Or if we expand to other platforms could they take 30% of stock trading? Loan repayments?