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Apple’s non-hardware expenses aren’t limited to the distribution platform… They make the OS, the libraries, the APIs, the development tools and continue to main

by 542458 4y ago

Apple’s non-hardware expenses aren’t limited to the distribution platform… They make the OS, the libraries, the APIs, the development tools and continue to maintain those even after the hardware is sold… Why should third parties get to free ride on that? I don’t see why we should compel software authors to add hooks and features and provide tools for non-paying third parties.

HDThoreaun 4y ago
Because I already gave them $1000 for the device...
wvenable 4y ago
> They make the OS, the libraries, the APIs, the development tools… Why should third parties get to free ride on that? I hear this argument all the time. But what do you think was done before iOS? When will they have finally gotten paid for all that and don't need to take any more money from you?
- 542458 4y ago
  Before iOS (and for the early years of iOS) people paid out of pocket for software updates. Now it’s an ongoing cost instead, imposed as a tax on software transactions. This is not an unusual arrangement - people rent things in perpetuity all the time, like EC2 instances and water heaters.
  - wvenable 4y ago
    The fact that it's a tax on software transactions and not simply something rented/charged monthly is kind of the point. And, no, not all software updates were uncommon or charged for before iOS. Windows Update predates iOS by many years. People did pay for development tools but then so do iOS developers for $100 a year. I've personally only paid for dev tools a few times in my life. Developers add value to an ecosystem.
    - acdha 4y ago
      Patches for Windows predate iOS. Free upgrades to major versions do not. I’m not entirely sure it’s worth it but it sure seems like most people accept this bargain since it’s become standard on the most used devices.
      - wvenable 4y ago
        They don't have a choice. And most people don't realize that 1/3 of every purchase they make goes directly to Apple.
crossroadsguy 4y ago
Because I paid for all that — paid in full - upfront - paid a lot! Maybe 2x or hell 3-5x of what it should actually cost. So it’s my device. I want Spotify to be able to side load on my device.
theshrike79 4y ago
And you can contact an actual human when discussing about App Store things. With Google it's just some fucked up AI trying to pretend to be a human. And you can't complain about its decisions.

by 542458 4y ago

HDThoreaun 4y ago

Because I already gave them $1000 for the device...

wvenable 4y ago

> They make the OS, the libraries, the APIs, the development tools… Why should third parties get to free ride on that? I hear this argument all the time. But what do you think was done before iOS? When will they have finally gotten paid for all that and don't need to take any more money from you?

542458 4y ago
Before iOS (and for the early years of iOS) people paid out of pocket for software updates. Now it’s an ongoing cost instead, imposed as a tax on software transactions. This is not an unusual arrangement - people rent things in perpetuity all the time, like EC2 instances and water heaters.
- wvenable 4y ago
  The fact that it's a tax on software transactions and not simply something rented/charged monthly is kind of the point. And, no, not all software updates were uncommon or charged for before iOS. Windows Update predates iOS by many years. People did pay for development tools but then so do iOS developers for $100 a year. I've personally only paid for dev tools a few times in my life. Developers add value to an ecosystem.
  - acdha 4y ago
    Patches for Windows predate iOS. Free upgrades to major versions do not. I’m not entirely sure it’s worth it but it sure seems like most people accept this bargain since it’s become standard on the most used devices.
    - wvenable 4y ago
      They don't have a choice. And most people don't realize that 1/3 of every purchase they make goes directly to Apple.

crossroadsguy 4y ago

Because I paid for all that — paid in full - upfront - paid a lot! Maybe 2x or hell 3-5x of what it should actually cost. So it’s my device. I want Spotify to be able to side load on my device.

theshrike79 4y ago

And you can contact an actual human when discussing about App Store things. With Google it's just some fucked up AI trying to pretend to be a human. And you can't complain about its decisions.