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Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

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1704 points ardit33 | 1 comments | 13 Aug 20 19:03 UTC | HN request time: 0.229s | source
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lordleft ◴[13 Aug 20 20:04 UTC] No.24147974[source]▶
Imagine if Microsoft did this on PCs. a) prohibiting the installation of non-windows store software (sideloading) and b) insisting that all purchases done via apps give them a 30% cut. I think this is a ridiculous practice on the behalf of Apple.
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eggbrain ◴[13 Aug 20 20:20 UTC] No.24148287[source]▶
I mean, couldn't we just replace Microsoft->Sony and PC->Playstation and the argument falls apart a bit?

> Imagine if Sony did this on Playstation. a) prohibiting the installation of non-PlayStation games and b) insisting that all purchases done via their store give them a 30% cut.

Many platforms are like this -- and many also have the majority marketshare. Is this a call to redefine what platforms can and cannot control?

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ClumsyPilot ◴[13 Aug 20 20:26 UTC] No.24148405[source]▶
There is a distinction between a general purpose computing device and a gaming console. I depend on my computer for important aspects of my life, not just entertainment.

I perceive capricious behaviour like this ad a threat to my liberty and well-being.

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viro ◴[13 Aug 20 20:36 UTC] No.24148624[source]▶
"There is a distinction between a general purpose computing device and a gaming console." Whats the distinction? gaming console use x86 now. is it the keyboard support? the gpu ?
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1. jogu ◴[13 Aug 20 22:19 UTC] No.24150250[source]▶
I think the definition has always been a bit gray, even more so in recent years but I don't think it's about the hardware present in the device. For example, Sony made a push to classify the PS2 as a computer by providing a BASIC interpreter and later a distribution of Linux to evade some tax laws in Europe.

I think if I were to answer this question now it would be based on the expectation of the end consumer to be expected to, or have the ability to program the device for general purpose tasks.

Things like game consoles, phones, smart appliances, etc. all start to blur that line but I think it comes down to the consumer's expectations.