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> "Google gets money from their app store!" So does every app maker. Next Not the same thing. By owning the Play Store Google gets a cut of every app, not just

> "Google gets money from their app store!" So does every app maker. Next Not the same thing. By owning the Play Store Google gets a cut of every app, not just the ones they make. > In 2021, the Play Store generated $38.8 billion in revenue, and by 2025, experts predict Google Play Store will make $64 billion annually. This is why Meta was so big into VR/AR, they wanted to own a (hardware) platform since they don't but rather make apps on others' (Google, Apple, MS).

bootlooped 3y ago
Isn't that the same as every other marketplace though? The mall, Amazon, Steam, you name it.
- karmakaze 3y ago
  The comment I was replying to said "So does every app maker" rather than "platform owner". [I also added "(hardware)" to my original comment.]
  - IntelMiner 3y ago
    Yeah that was my bad. I meant platform owners Don't write an angry reply before your morning coffee everyone!
- mvdtnz 3y ago
  [flagged]
- dotandgtfo 3y ago
  Steam takes a cut of the sales price and a cut of microtransactions done through the Steam wallet. But they don't force developers to use the Steam wallet. I wouldn't be surprised if that last point is what will ultimately matter.
eyjafjallajokul 3y ago
I don't know how this argument can hold? Malls charge their tenant stores a fee to lease space. Why shouldn't app stores? I use an application that supports plugins from 3P developers. The number of times some script is broken because a certain developer fat fingered their own config drives me mad. Whereas the experience of downloading apps from the Play Store is seamless.
- poisonborz 3y ago
  You can easily avoid malls. Try to avoid default app stores. You don't expect to be locked in a mall when buying a computer device.
- karmakaze 3y ago
  The problem is with "rent seeking" where the amount taken is not related to service provided but rather ownership of the platform. If Google only collected for the Play Service usage that would be one thing, but they can also take a cut of ongoing subscriptions. You could also argue that updates are also provided as a service, but the amounts collected aren't in line with the service that's provided. One way to ensure equity of service/fee is to have competition. There is no reasonable Play Store competitor for Android.
  - nickff 3y ago
    I understand why you are using the words "rent seeking", but that's a defined term with a meaning which differs from what you're trying to describe: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rent-seeking https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rent-seeking >"Rent-seeking is the act of growing one's existing wealth by manipulating the social or political environment without creating new wealth.[1] Rent-seeking activities have negative effects on the rest of society. They result in reduced economic efficiency through misallocation of resources, reduced wealth creation, lost government revenue, heightened income inequality,[2][3] risk of growing political bribery, and potential national decline. "
    - lamontcg 3y ago
leptons 3y ago
>> "Google gets money from their app store!" So does every app maker. Next >Not the same thing. By owning the Play Store Google gets a cut of every app, not just the ones they make. It's not the same as Apple, which is famous for gouging developers taking huge cuts of their revenue from apps, and even taking huge cuts of in-app purchases.
- kevingadd 3y ago
  The cut and policies are almost exactly the same though?

bootlooped 3y ago

Isn't that the same as every other marketplace though? The mall, Amazon, Steam, you name it.

karmakaze 3y ago
The comment I was replying to said "So does every app maker" rather than "platform owner". [I also added "(hardware)" to my original comment.]
- IntelMiner 3y ago
  Yeah that was my bad. I meant platform owners Don't write an angry reply before your morning coffee everyone!
mvdtnz 3y ago
[flagged]
dotandgtfo 3y ago
Steam takes a cut of the sales price and a cut of microtransactions done through the Steam wallet. But they don't force developers to use the Steam wallet. I wouldn't be surprised if that last point is what will ultimately matter.

eyjafjallajokul 3y ago

I don't know how this argument can hold? Malls charge their tenant stores a fee to lease space. Why shouldn't app stores? I use an application that supports plugins from 3P developers. The number of times some script is broken because a certain developer fat fingered their own config drives me mad. Whereas the experience of downloading apps from the Play Store is seamless.

poisonborz 3y ago
You can easily avoid malls. Try to avoid default app stores. You don't expect to be locked in a mall when buying a computer device.
karmakaze 3y ago
The problem is with "rent seeking" where the amount taken is not related to service provided but rather ownership of the platform. If Google only collected for the Play Service usage that would be one thing, but they can also take a cut of ongoing subscriptions. You could also argue that updates are also provided as a service, but the amounts collected aren't in line with the service that's provided. One way to ensure equity of service/fee is to have competition. There is no reasonable Play Store competitor for Android.
- nickff 3y ago
  I understand why you are using the words "rent seeking", but that's a defined term with a meaning which differs from what you're trying to describe: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rent-seeking https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rent-seeking >"Rent-seeking is the act of growing one's existing wealth by manipulating the social or political environment without creating new wealth.[1] Rent-seeking activities have negative effects on the rest of society. They result in reduced economic efficiency through misallocation of resources, reduced wealth creation, lost government revenue, heightened income inequality,[2][3] risk of growing political bribery, and potential national decline. "
  - lamontcg 3y ago

leptons 3y ago

>> "Google gets money from their app store!" So does every app maker. Next >Not the same thing. By owning the Play Store Google gets a cut of every app, not just the ones they make. It's not the same as Apple, which is famous for gouging developers taking huge cuts of their revenue from apps, and even taking huge cuts of in-app purchases.

kevingadd 3y ago
The cut and policies are almost exactly the same though?