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Apple just kicked Fortnite off the App Store

(www.theverge.com)
1704 points ardit33 | 4 comments | 13 Aug 20 19:03 UTC | HN request time: 0.421s | source
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mapgrep ◴[13 Aug 20 21:45 UTC] No.24149792[source]▶
You could argue about Apple's rights, or citizens' free speech rights, or consumer rights, under existing law. It would be an interesting discussion because I think it's a lot more complicated an issue that most people appreciate.

But really why not talk about how we think things should work on platforms like iOS? What should the law be? What protects essential human rights, encourages creativity, and allows business to function to some extent?

Personally, I would argue that consumers should have a legal right to install whatever software they wish on a product they have purchased, including onto the bundled operating system. I don't think it should be permissible for a company like Apple (or Microsoft or whoever) to sell me a gadget and then use various sorts of locks to try to keep me from putting whatever apps or app stores or services I like on it.

Does anyone have any argument for why this right would be a bad thing? People would get bad software on their phones, but last I checked, this is happening already, including on iOS. Apple would lose some margin, but last I checked, their investment in creating and maintaining iOS has been handsomely rewarded and would surely continue to be.

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1. pmcollins ◴[13 Aug 20 22:29 UTC] No.24150369[source]▶
What if you take the App Store to an extreme? Say, the App Store is so successful that iPhones and Macs are almost free -- paid for by the lifetime expected amount Apple will make from any and all apps sold on those devices. Would this be bad for the consumer? I feel like this is Apple's perspective: the app store subsidizes devices and helps consumers.

OTOH, the thing about Epic is I think they're incredibly generous with their developers and with their customers. You can play Fortnite for free, and are only charged if you want to buy a vanity item. And if you develop using Unreal Engine, you're only charged if you literally make millions of dollars. I can see being pissed off at Apple for being incredibly rapacious, wrecking their standing with developers, and undermining their own platform. I, for one, will never develop for Apple again after awful experiences with two apps I developed for their store.

Ultimately, IMO Apple is hurting themselves very badly, but I think it might be their right to do so.

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2. karmelapple ◴[14 Aug 20 00:42 UTC] No.24151830[source]▶
Alas, iPhones still make a healthy profit for Apple, so any cut from software isn’t subsidizing hardware for consumers today.
3. ckocagil ◴[14 Aug 20 04:24 UTC] No.24153364[source]▶
One could argue that it would be bad for the consumer since their subsidized divisions have zero incentive to improve. It's nearly impossible to beat a free offering, so no competition will arise. Therefore innovation halts.

This is what Google's been doing for years. In a healthy market we could have incredible email providers, video hosting services, calendars and whatnot.

4. anoncake ◴[14 Aug 20 09:44 UTC] No.24155824[source]▶
Prices are signal, they must match the cost of the product. Otherwise the customer can't properly decide whether it's worth it.

Subsidizing phones with app revenue means customers buy phones even though the benefit they gain from them is lower than the cost of the phone. Conversely, they don't buy apps when the benefit would have outweighed the cost.