Sure, let me just disconnect and degrade my life with my own family to switch to Android.
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EU Reportedly Planning to Charge Apple for Violating Digital Markets Act
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Sure, let me just disconnect and degrade my life with my own family to switch to Android.
But… that Hisense TV will let you watch the same channels or streaming services.
It will let you hook up your streaming box - even an Apple TV. And let you watch your favourite streaming service (could be Apple TV+ for all I know). It won’t prevent TV channels or streaming services from advertising to you on screen. And it won’t charge competitors a 30% commission - while operating a competing service.
The DMA does not mandate replacement parts to be allowed installatn iOS devices.
In conclusion: it’s another comparison that falls flat on its face.
Somewhere there seems to be a misconception that the DMA would mandate what Apple can offer.
Or that they have to offer the same as other manufacturers in their products.
Apple is free to differentiate their product from competitors' products.
No, it’s called product customisation.
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No doubt. Then again, you can count on Tim Cook to resolve such inner conflict decidedly. He'd never allow sideloading to enable access to privacy tools/apps, when that means Apple making a dent in Apple's precious App Store monopoly.
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The objective truth is that there is significant friction to switching. I'm not going to itemize the issues for you. Here's an NYT article about it. I'm sure you'll deem that subjective as well.
The articles conclusion is that it's not hard to switch, but there will be things that you miss. Which doesn't support your claim.
Right. It objectively isn't difficult - swap your sim over, log into the new phone, so on and so forth. None of that is difficult or requires any kind of exertion. It's everything that you loose which is difficult - the things Brian Chen in that article misses - that make the situation difficult.
Frankly, I'm not sure how we ended up here. The DMA has a section for data portability but this whole thread has been about app distribution hasn't it?
Switching from iOS to Android includes more than copying "my contacts list, photo album and calendar into my Google account." in real life.
The article isn't even going into third-party apps (as in: switching from an iPhone with a few dozen third-party apps installed) or the financial costs of switching and time needed to get accustomed to a different OS.
Would you honestly accept this if this was the case in the USA?
The House Analogy
Ima
Summary:
In this analogy, Apple sells a house (iPhone) that comes with strict rules about what additional items (apps) can be brought in, all controlled by Apple. The DMA requires Apple to allow homeowners (users) to bring in items from other vendors (third-party app stores), expanding their options for customization and improving competition. This ensures that homeowners can enhance their living experience without needing to switch houses (phones), addressing both consumer choice and market competition.
This is Apple in 2024. Complicit with authoritarian regimes around the world to the detriment of their users. It's sad what Apple turned into since the 1984 commercial.I wonder if Apple are ever conflicted about their walled garden directly enabling easy censoring in this way, simply from government pressure
Russia forces Apple to remove VPN apps from the App Store
Apple has caved to pressure from Russian authorities and removed a number of the best iPhone VPN apps from the App Store in the country.appleinsider.com
Also funny, how they never complain about regulation of this kind.
That would make for ill will with Russian regulators.
And also, by drawing attention it, possible create bigger public backlash in "the West" against Apple's continued presence in Russia ("They should retreat from that market, staying in Russia supports the regime and its image of normalcy they want to convery to their people". That is, Apple products being readily available on the shelves and the App Store operating by offering Russian apps.).
Eventually, a post-war future will emerge, where may become more opportune to invest in Russia again. And it's a market for millions of iPhone buyers - which they don't want to put off or lose.
“Well technically it’s easy to switch, but I’m going to miss nice things about Apple’s ecosystem, so the government should come in and make iOS operate like its more popular competitor because I wish that it did” is not DMA defenders’ strongest argument.
I don't blame Apple for keeping the door open for a return to the Russian market and maintaining basic support for existing phones used there. I'm just disappointed, that they eliminated the ability to side-load apps, even if it's just for apps that you compile yourself.
It isn't. But that wasn't really the argument put forward here.
I suppose we can agree that
- there is "significant friction" to switching from iOS to Android
- just as there would (likely) be "significant friction" for end users, if/once high-profile developers start abandoning Apple's App Store for third-party stores/direct downloads in substantial numbers.
It would not take away users' choice of living and consuming in a (somewhat) closed ecosystem and make all of their transactions for digital content from Apple's one-stop shop. But it would certainly make such choice a considerably worse alternative than today.
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Yes a lot of misconceptions are floating around.
Apparently not. Because seems in the EU what’s mine is yours.
No, it’s called product differentiation.
Great analogy except if falls flat as a bad soufflé, as electricity is a dangerous, needed, tough to make, mostly requires fossil fuels with assists from nuclear, solar and wind. But you get an a for “affort”.
No. Apple's iOS is theirs, and so is their App Store.
They EU just requires some form of interoperability.
If you own and use a car, doe governments' restrictions on car operation/usage and traffic rules mean they're taking it away from you? No.
No, it's not.
It's called customisation.
The users customises his product.
So are mobile operating systems and App Stores.
So are competitive mobile operating systems.
That’s exactly what mine is yours. Interoperability is a sugar coated word.
Driving a car is a privilege. Fall flat analogy.
That’s exactly what it is.
The manufacturer differentiates their products while the user tweaks/customizes it.
Not at all. The electricity is just a way to delineate incompatibility of the ”apps” in the different houses.
Just how in the USA you have 110v as a standard, and perhaps the ability to use 220v in rare occasions.
While in Europe you can use 220v single phase or 3-phase 400v at most if not every single house.
But if we connected something designed for 110v it wouldn’t go that well. Or if you connected a 400v appliance in your 110v outlet.
But are you able to actually tackle the analogy? Or perhaps you need a better one?
The Hotel Analogy
Current Situation:
1. Apple’s Hotel:
• Exclusive Hotel: Imagine Apple runs a luxurious, exclusive hotel. This hotel has its own restaurants, shops, and entertainment options, all carefully curated and controlled by the hotel management (Apple).
• Exclusive Services: Guests (iPhone users) staying at this hotel can only access the facilities provided within the hotels curated catalog. They cannot bring in or use services (apps) from outside unless they leave the hotel (switch devices).
2.
Android’s Resort:
• Open Resort: In contrast, Google operates a large, open resort. While it has its own main hotel (Google Play Store), there are many smaller hotels and guesthouses (third-party app stores) within the resort, offering a wide variety of services and experiences.
• Flexible Access: Guests at this resort can freely move between different hotels and guesthouses, choosing services from any of them without restrictions.
Impact of the DMA:
1. New Regulation:
• Allowing New Vendors: The new regulation (DMA) requires Apple’s hotel to allow other vendors to provide services targeting the hotel guests. This means that guests can now access a wider range of services without needing to leave the hotel.
And that service providers can inform the customers with their own private number to get further services without going through the hotel(Apple).
• Open Resort: In contrast, Google operates a large, open resort. While it has its own main hotel (Google Play Store), there are many smaller hotels and guesthouses (third-party app stores) within the resort, offering a wide variety of services and experiences.
• Flexible Access: Guests at this resort can freely move between different hotels and guesthouses, choosing services from any of them without restrictions.
Impact of the DMA:
1. New Regulation:
• Allowing New Vendors: The new regulation (DMA) requires Apple’s hotel to allow other vendors to provide services targeting the hotel guests. This means that guests can now access a wider range of services without needing to leave the hotel.
And that service providers can inform the customers with their own private number to get further services without going through the hotel(Apple).
The Current Situation:
Imagine a large mall (Apple’s ecosystem) where all the shops (apps) are owned or approved by the mall owner (Apple). Developers are like small business owners who want to set up shop in the mall to sell their products (apps) to the mall’s many visitors (iPhone users).
Current Developer Experience:
1. High Rent and Strict Rules: To set up a shop in this mall, developers must pay high rent (App Store fees) and follow very strict rules about what they can and cannot sell and how they must operate (Apple’s app review guidelines and restrictions).
2. Limited Visibility: Even after setting up their shop, developers might find that their store is not easily visible to visitors unless they pay extra for advertising (App Store search ads) or get featured by the mall owner.
3. Revenue Cut: The mall owner takes a significant portion of the developers’ revenue (30% commission on app sales and in-app purchases), which can be a substantial burden, especially for small businesses.
4. Approval Delays: Developers often face delays and uncertainty during the approval process to get their shop set up or make changes to their existing shop (app updates). This can hinder their ability to respond quickly to market needs or fix issues.
With DMA Changes (Allowing Third-Party App Stores):
Now, imagine that the town (the regulatory authority, in this case, the EU) introduces a new law (DMA) that allows other malls (third-party app stores) to be built around the town, giving developers more options for setting up their shops.
Developer Experience with DMA:
1. More Malls to Choose From: Developers can choose to set up their shops in multiple malls (third-party app stores) that might offer better terms, lower rent, or more favorable conditions. This increases their opportunities to reach a broader audience.
2. Competitive Fees: With more malls competing for their business, developers can benefit from lower fees and more favorable revenue-sharing agreements, helping them retain more of their earnings.
3. Diverse Regulations: Different malls might have different rules and approval processes. Some might be more lenient or quicker in approving new shops or changes, allowing developers to innovate and respond to market demands more effectively.
4. Better Visibility: Alternative malls might offer better ways for developers to get noticed by visitors, such as more effective advertising options or algorithms that better match users with their preferences.
Benefits to Consumers and Developers:
1. Choice and Innovation: Consumers benefit from a wider variety of shops (apps) to choose from, potentially finding unique or niche products that might not be available in the original mall. Developers benefit from a more competitive environment that encourages innovation and diversity.
2. Increased Revenue: With lower fees and more favorable terms, developers can invest more in their businesses, improving their products and services, and potentially offering better prices or features to consumers.
3. Fairer Market: The new laws help create a fairer market where no single mall owner can dictate terms to all the small business owners, fostering a healthier economic environment for everyone involved.
1. High Rent and Strict Rules: To set up a shop in this mall, developers must pay high rent (App Store fees) and follow very strict rules about what they can and cannot sell and how they must operate (Apple’s app review guidelines and restrictions).
2. Limited Visibility: Even after setting up their shop, developers might find that their store is not easily visible to visitors unless they pay extra for advertising (App Store search ads) or get featured by the mall owner.
3. Revenue Cut: The mall owner takes a significant portion of the developers’ revenue (30% commission on app sales and in-app purchases), which can be a substantial burden, especially for small businesses.
4. Approval Delays: Developers often face delays and uncertainty during the approval process to get their shop set up or make changes to their existing shop (app updates). This can hinder their ability to respond quickly to market needs or fix issues.
With DMA Changes (Allowing Third-Party App Stores):
Now, imagine that the town (the regulatory authority, in this case, the EU) introduces a new law (DMA) that allows other malls (third-party app stores) to be built around the town, giving developers more options for setting up their shops.
Developer Experience with DMA:
1. More Malls to Choose From: Developers can choose to set up their shops in multiple malls (third-party app stores) that might offer better terms, lower rent, or more favorable conditions. This increases their opportunities to reach a broader audience.
2. Competitive Fees: With more malls competing for their business, developers can benefit from lower fees and more favorable revenue-sharing agreements, helping them retain more of their earnings.
3. Diverse Regulations: Different malls might have different rules and approval processes. Some might be more lenient or quicker in approving new shops or changes, allowing developers to innovate and respond to market demands more effectively.
4. Better Visibility: Alternative malls might offer better ways for developers to get noticed by visitors, such as more effective advertising options or algorithms that better match users with their preferences.
Benefits to Consumers and Developers:
1. Choice and Innovation: Consumers benefit from a wider variety of shops (apps) to choose from, potentially finding unique or niche products that might not be available in the original mall. Developers benefit from a more competitive environment that encourages innovation and diversity.
2. Increased Revenue: With lower fees and more favorable terms, developers can invest more in their businesses, improving their products and services, and potentially offering better prices or features to consumers.
3. Fairer Market: The new laws help create a fairer market where no single mall owner can dictate terms to all the small business owners, fostering a healthier economic environment for everyone involved.
Summary:
The DMA’s requirement for Apple to allow third-party app stores is akin to allowing new malls to be built around town. This change provides developers with more opportunities, better terms, and a fairer market, while consumers benefit from increased choice and innovation. The overall effect is a more dynamic and competitive ecosystem that supports both developers’ and consumers’ interests.
And without the need to move to a new town.