4 ms·

It's so clear how Mac OS and Windows both can function without app stores that it's obvious that app stores are a rent-seeking middle men. Terrible that they've

It's so clear how Mac OS and Windows both can function without app stores that it's obvious that app stores are a rent-seeking middle men. Terrible that they've been normalized for mobile devices.

Melatonic 4y ago
F-Droid though is awesome! I think the problem is locking us to one app store - because the app store does provide some added functionality (easy of use - one place to go for all apps - security vetting - automated update settings across apps)
saagarjha 4y ago
The App Store on macOS is a convenient distribution channel. It’s helpful to have, especially because alternatives exist if it doesn’t have the right tradeoffs for you.
stu2b50 4y ago
I don't see any issue with the app store models for macOS (mostly) and windows (could be useful, but not in its current implementation). They act as more curated package managers with a GUI, and an added bonus of taking care of payments (a hard problem!). App stores allow users a centralized place to both acquire known and verified applications as well as get updates for them. They are a safe place to buy things - Apple is not going to steal your credit card. For developers, they are a convenient place to park your app, without having to manage your own distribution services. And payments is always pain - it's probably the single biggest value add that the app stores cover it for you. And you can always circumvent it on these platforms. It's just an addition. I'd prefer to get an app on the mac app store if it is there, if it is not then that is fine as well, but will require more digging to verify it's authenticity.
- lapcat 4y ago
  Mac App Store has a ton of scams. https://mjtsai.com/blog/2022/04/15/mac-app-store-ransomware/ https://mjtsai.com/blog/2022/04/15/mac-app-store-ransomware/ https://mjtsai.com/blog/2022/08/10/the-top-pdf-reader-in-the-mac-app-store/ https://mjtsai.com/blog/2022/08/10/the-top-pdf-reader-in-the... iOS App Store too. They're not safe. Apple isn't going to steal your credit card, but they'll happily charge your credit card for these scams.
  - stu2b50 4y ago
    And that’s fine. It’s a heuristic. A coarse filter. But a filter none-the-less.
    - tpush 4y ago
      These scam apps are literally #1 in the App Store. The filter ist practically useless, if not outright harmful in this case.
- nickm12 4y ago
  These stores are not curated. They can catch the most egregious things, but they also are not really "safe" either. It would totally be worth 30% of my payment for a truly curated app store. However the Apple app store takes a lot of income for providing a negligible quality filter, updates, and taking payments (most payment processors take single digit percentages).
- int_19h 4y ago
  Windows store got a lot more useful since it started allowing regular Win32 desktop apps.
Barrin92 4y ago
While I'm all for opening devices up the fact that app stores exist on platforms like Windows or Mac disproves the rent-seeking thesis if anything. Steam commands a 70/30 cut while software can be distributed freely on Windows which was in fact the normal situation on desktops before the advent of app stores. App stores are distribution mechanisms and advertisement channels, same value proposition as Spotify compared to shipping your music on your own website.

It's so clear how Mac OS and Windows both can function without app stores that it's obvious that app stores are a rent-seeking middle men. Terrible that they've been normalized for mobile devices.

Melatonic 4y ago

F-Droid though is awesome! I think the problem is locking us to one app store - because the app store does provide some added functionality (easy of use - one place to go for all apps - security vetting - automated update settings across apps)

saagarjha 4y ago

The App Store on macOS is a convenient distribution channel. It’s helpful to have, especially because alternatives exist if it doesn’t have the right tradeoffs for you.

stu2b50 4y ago

I don't see any issue with the app store models for macOS (mostly) and windows (could be useful, but not in its current implementation). They act as more curated package managers with a GUI, and an added bonus of taking care of payments (a hard problem!). App stores allow users a centralized place to both acquire known and verified applications as well as get updates for them. They are a safe place to buy things - Apple is not going to steal your credit card. For developers, they are a convenient place to park your app, without having to manage your own distribution services. And payments is always pain - it's probably the single biggest value add that the app stores cover it for you. And you can always circumvent it on these platforms. It's just an addition. I'd prefer to get an app on the mac app store if it is there, if it is not then that is fine as well, but will require more digging to verify it's authenticity.

lapcat 4y ago
Mac App Store has a ton of scams. https://mjtsai.com/blog/2022/04/15/mac-app-store-ransomware/ https://mjtsai.com/blog/2022/04/15/mac-app-store-ransomware/ https://mjtsai.com/blog/2022/08/10/the-top-pdf-reader-in-the-mac-app-store/ https://mjtsai.com/blog/2022/08/10/the-top-pdf-reader-in-the... iOS App Store too. They're not safe. Apple isn't going to steal your credit card, but they'll happily charge your credit card for these scams.
- stu2b50 4y ago
  And that’s fine. It’s a heuristic. A coarse filter. But a filter none-the-less.
  - tpush 4y ago
    These scam apps are literally #1 in the App Store. The filter ist practically useless, if not outright harmful in this case.
nickm12 4y ago
These stores are not curated. They can catch the most egregious things, but they also are not really "safe" either. It would totally be worth 30% of my payment for a truly curated app store. However the Apple app store takes a lot of income for providing a negligible quality filter, updates, and taking payments (most payment processors take single digit percentages).
int_19h 4y ago
Windows store got a lot more useful since it started allowing regular Win32 desktop apps.

Barrin92 4y ago

While I'm all for opening devices up the fact that app stores exist on platforms like Windows or Mac disproves the rent-seeking thesis if anything. Steam commands a 70/30 cut while software can be distributed freely on Windows which was in fact the normal situation on desktops before the advent of app stores. App stores are distribution mechanisms and advertisement channels, same value proposition as Spotify compared to shipping your music on your own website.