3 ms·
I think that's kind of the point though - in a free market with sufficient competition, distribution channels would be forced to compete on the quality of their
by mil22 3y ago
I think that's kind of the point though - in a free market with sufficient competition, distribution channels would be forced to compete on the quality of their review processes and users would gravitate to the marketplaces that have the best processes and hence the best reputation. So it is not clear that this is true mathematically: you just need one alternate channel with better review processes and for enough users to switch to it for there to be less malware distributed overall.
As it is, there is only one channel and no competition, so we don't know what the malware situation would be like in the absence of Apple's monopoly.
- thegrimmest 3y agoBut there are many other distribution channels for mobile apps, the Google Play Store, F-Droid, etc. Surely "iOS devices" isn't a "market" in and of itself, and the markets are "mobile apps" and "mobile phones".
- antiframe 3y agoWhy isn't iOS devices a market? It seems that's exactly what Apple /wants/ it to be. They built a platform and now want third parties to sell on that platform so they can get their cut. How do you define market, then, if that's not a market?
- thegrimmest 3y ago> Why isn't iOS devices a market? Same reason "McDonalds hamburgers" aren't a market. They're just a branded product within a larger "smartphones" market. > How do you define market, then, if that's not a market? Same way the FTC does: > all goods or services that buyers view as close substitutes https://www.ftc.gov/advice-guidance/competition-guidance/guide-antitrust-laws/mergers/markets https://www.ftc.gov/advice-guidance/competition-guidance/gui... An Android is a close substitute for an iPhone, just like a Ford is a close substitute for a Toyota. People switch between them all the time.
- dickersnoodle 3y agoPer https://www.phonearena.com/news/iPhone-vs-Android-How-often-do-Apple-users-switch_id148193 https://www.phonearena.com/news/iPhone-vs-Android-How-often-..., a relative handful of users switch between Android and iOS. That does not seem to qualify as "all the time".
- intended 3y agoThats incorrect. Competition is not a panacea. In this case, there is already competition between distribution channels, the issue is predators/malafide behavior who will always be able to run circles around channels. I suspect that the cost of review is not apparent - review at scale is going to be outsourcing. Thats a whole bunch of contracting, management, and sheer work that new distribution channels will not be able to afford. Adding competition doesnt help. At some point, it simply creates more vectors of attack. The situation you describe is better served by a policing force, that stops bad actors.