New EU Law Could Force Apple to Allow Other App Stores, Sideloading, and iMessage Interoperability

[MallardDuck]

Change bank if you dislike?!

Yup, that's what I'd do. Anyone that's not in the apple app store, is an app I don't need to use. Because I value the privacy controls apple enforces.

My bank website has 37 (blocked) trackers. At least I can do that on the web. With an app, I don't have a choice - except for apple.

 

[PrecisionGem]

A functioning US president has a lot more important things on his/her plate to worry about, like the economy, like threats to democracy, like an unstable person waging war on a sovereign nation, threatening the use of nuclear weapons. I’m not even sure this would fit on the dessert plate.

You left out sniffing girls hair.

 

[Wildkraut]

Apple's going to have to figure out a new way to make money. That's not snark, just a fact. They give away the development tools, give away software upgrades, and monetize all that work via the apps themselves. Expect XCode to have a price tag if this passes.

There are legitimate security issues with other app stores, and I really wonder if the EU realizes that the first thing facebook and other data-privacy invading companies do will be to leave the apple app store and their restrictions and launch their own 'ad and data selling friendly' store. Apple loses the ability to be the privacy gatekeeper. Left hand meet right hand.

On iMessage, sorry. There are plenty of competing systems, and forcing apple to open theirs up (aka stealing their IP) is bogus. If google had picked a strategy and stayed with it, they'd have a similar app. Just because they blew it, doesn't mean apple should have to give them a second chance.

In that case, just like you don’t have to use Visual Studio to code for Windows, you will be able to use alternative DevTools, even free ones. Most Development Tools relies on OpenSource Software anyway.

Data and privacy invading companies will face the law, too.
One does not exclude the other, that’s why Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act goes hand in hand.

So, no prob!

 

[Naraxus]

Also, it will be fascinating to see gaming console OEMs keep their multi billion dollar monopolies on app distribution. They take a cut even from disc sales.

Except that game companies don't have monopolies on app distribution, Apple does.

Answer me this: As it currently stands now, where can I get games for my DS, PS, Wii & Switch?

Now ask yourself: where can I get games/apps for my iPhone & iPad?

 

[genovelle]

Bring it on. It's not like you're being forced to sideload.

No we are being forced to compromise the safety and surety of our devices. We are being forced to accept an ecosystem that is equal to the cesspool of Android. I say we sue the lawmakers and individuals who are pushing this. Common sense people buy Apple for what they offer. Not try to force them to be a shadow of them selves because outsiders prefer that. If you want something other than what Apple offers buy that. The original iPhone didn’t offer a 3rd party store with access to APIs, the only offered webapps. They could just as easily abandon the App Store and only offer APIs going forward to an Apple One style subscription that partners with 3rd parties. And

 

[Wildkraut]

Except that game companies don't have monopolies on app distribution, Apple does.

Answer me this: As it currently stands now, where can I get games for my DS, PS, Wii & Switch?

Now ask yourself: where can I get games/apps for my iPhone & iPad?

Well, who is saying the Digital Markets Act won’t affect others?
We are in an Apple forum, so we are discussing Apple topics.

Once Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo & Co. falls into the Gatekeeper definitions, they will be affected, too.
Totally okay that way!

 

[Ethosik]

Except that game companies don't have monopolies on app distribution, Apple does.

Answer me this: As it currently stands now, where can I get games for my DS, PS, Wii & Switch?

Now ask yourself: where can I get games/apps for my iPhone & iPad?

YOU get games from various sources. Me, as a dev, has no choice. I still need to go through Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo.

 

[Sophisticatednut]

Operating as a monopoly is legal, being a monopoly is illegal.

nope, both are completely legal

 

[Abazigal]

So will Apple still be able to collect their 27% fee from sales in third party app stores?

 

[Sophisticatednut]

So will Apple still be able to collect their 27% fee from sales in third party app stores?

we will see, it's under investigation and not covered by this

 

[Naraxus]

YOU get games from various sources. Me, as a dev, has no choice. I still need to go through Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo.

Uh yeah that was kind of the whole point of the comparison.

This article isnt about developing apps. It's about where consumers get their apps & games and Apple's monopoly on it

 

[mrochester]

So will Apple still be able to collect their 27% fee from sales in third party app stores?

Presumably so.

 

[Naraxus]

Well, who is saying the Digital Markets Act won’t affect others?
We are in an Apple forum, so we are discussing Apple topics.

Once Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo & Co. falls into the Gatekeeper definitions, they will be affected, too.
Totally okay that way!

Oh I'm sure it will eventually and like yourself, I'm fine with it

 

[Mousse]

This won't bring Nokia back to its glory

The days of the indestructable phone with month long battery life😉 is long gone.😔 We've become accustomed to fragile phones😩 who's battery life is measured in hours.😒 On a positive note, I can play more than just Snakes.😁

What if my bank bails off the AppStore and forces me to side load their app?

I can't think of a single major bank that forces it's clients to sideload their banking app. Wells Fargo, BOA, Chase and so on have apps on the PlayStore eventhough sideloading is available on android.

I don't get where this paranoia people have that developers will force them to sideload. The only apps that users are forced to sideload are apps banned from the appstores. Google doesn't allow AFWall+ or AdAway on their PlayStore. I sideloaded those because Google and it's stupid policies disallow them on the PlayStore. Just like Apple's stupid policy doesn't allow emulators or firewalls on the AppStore.

Developers would be foolish not to place their apps on the AppStore/PlayStore since people trust those places. And they can reach a wider audience.

 

[Wildkraut]

So will Apple still be able to collect their 27% fee from sales in third party app stores?

That will probably fall into gatekeeping, simply because Apple does not have to pay 27% for their own Apps, a unfair advantage and anticompetitive.
I’m sure Apple will try, but risky try and fail.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

What if my bank bails off the AppStore and forces me to side load their app?

Then 1. The bank did not view the App Store as a good enough service platform to warrant staying on it which is all part of competition, and 2. That's between you and the bank.

 

[jdawgnoonan]

Until the key apps you wish to use choose to exit the app store, leaving you with a dilemma of eschewing those apps or opening your device up.

(edited for typo)

Well, then I just choose not to use that app if I do not want to install another store. Simple.

 

[jdawgnoonan]

I just hope that their ruling includes forcing platforms to allow alternative web browser engines. I honestly have no complaints with iOS outside of every browser being Safari in disguise.

 

[Michael Scrip]

Except that game companies don't have monopolies on app distribution, Apple does.

Answer me this: As it currently stands now, where can I get games for my DS, PS, Wii & Switch?

Now ask yourself: where can I get games/apps for my iPhone & iPad?

That's a good point. For consoles... there are many places to buy XBox, Playstation, and Switch games. Walmart, Target, GameStop, etc.

But no matter where a game is sold... Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo still get their cut, right? It's called a platform fee.

So couldn't Apple do the same? Even if there are 3rd-party app stores on iOS... couldn't Apple still charge some sort of platform fee?

All these iOS developers are wishing there were other places to sell iOS apps because they think they won't have to pay anything to Apple.

But something tells me that they might still have to pay some sort of platform fee. It'll be interesting to see.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[ackmondual]

This is going to be one of those threads where folks learn that MR limits the number of downvotes you can give per day

 

[belvdr]

It is the same thinking: If you do not like how something works, just go somewhere else! If you do not like how your boss treats you, switch the company! If you do not like the new mayor of your city, move to another city! If you do not like everything Apple does, move to Android!

Similar in statements, but not on the same level. Getting a different phone is on a completely different level than moving, finding a different employer, or a relationship.

 

[I7guy]

nope, both are completely legal

Not being an ”illegal” monopoly.

 

[Wildkraut]

I just hope that their ruling includes forcing platforms to allow alternative web browser engines. I honestly have no complaints with iOS outside of every browser being Safari in disguise.

It does, no lawsuit will be needed to enforce the DMA, DSA!

 

[Dammit Cubs]

Every time i see the EU make a law, i don't see laws that are for the citizen but rather how they can get some chunk of the pie.

 

[Wildkraut]

That's a good point. For consoles... there are many places to buy XBox, Playstation, and Switch games. Walmart, Target, GameStop, etc.

But no matter where a game is sold... Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo still get their cut, right? It's called a platform fee.

So couldn't Apple do the same? Even if there are 3rd-party app stores on iOS... couldn't Apple still charge some sort of platform fee?

All these iOS developers are wishing there were other places to sell iOS apps because they think they won't have to pay anything to Apple.

But something tells me that they might still have to pay some sort of platform fee. It'll be interesting to see.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I think the Game Consoles will fall into the gatekeeper category.