Posts by dan.515

Apple takes another swing at Epic, says Unreal Engine could be a 'trojan horse' threatening security

Re: Is anyone stupid enough to believe....

The issue isn't the fees it's the complete lack of any competition. If there was fair competition Epic could walk away and negotiate with another payment processor/outlet just as is possible in other areas of business or retail. One could argue that in this case the alternative is Android. Though in reality it really isn't an alternative as it imposes almost exactly the same terms as Apple. You can also argue that Android allows sideloading but unless you are savvy and willing to jump through loads of hoops this really isn't an option for the masses. So as a developer you have no option but to submit to whatever terms and prices Apple and Google dictate. Which is a duopoly and bad for us all.

Apple to Epic: Sue me? No, sue you, pal!

Competition is critical

The lack of competition is a major issue here. Apple have been known to hamper access to apps that compete with theirs and without a valid alternative for distributing apps this is a major issue in a free market.

Use a supermarket as an example. If your selling a product and one supermarket starts lowering the amount they pay you taking a bigger slice of the profits you can walk away and sell that product at another supermarket. You will have access to the same customers but with a different storefront. As customers if we aren't' happy with the supermarket we are free to start buying from any other supermarket. We don't have to switch our kitchen because it's an Apple kitchen that can only use Apple supermarket goods. Likewise should apply to mobiles. If we don't like apples storefront we should be free to use another one and we shouldn't have to switch phone to facilitate this.

Re: Monopolistic behaviour

If there is a cost to distributing and publishing the apps then that should be either an upfront cost for free apps or a percentage for paid apps. That way apple/google can cover their costs while allowing for 3rd party payment processors.