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Apple vs the Law

(formularsumo.co.uk)
378 points tempodox | 3 comments | 11 Jul 25 06:49 UTC | HN request time: 1.461s | source
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isodev ◴[11 Jul 25 08:33 UTC] No.44529679[source]▶
As a developer for apple platforms, it's extremely difficult to keep a positive mindset to all this. Year after year, Apple finds ways to continue unbounded fuckery. Making apps for iPhones is not that profitable anymore either, at this point is more about addressing a painful necessity - Apple is the phone company and you have to make it work if you want access to that "unmovable" infrastructure.
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1. pmontra ◴[11 Jul 25 09:17 UTC] No.44530015[source]▶
All iOS and Android developers I know don't write app that they sell themselves. They work for customers that more often than not give away their apps for free because they make money from the service the app gives access to. And they don't sell the service on the app store.

Think about banks, insurance companies, TV broadcasters, train timetables and services, cars management, etc.

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2. strogonoff ◴[11 Jul 25 11:33 UTC] No.44530960[source]▶
Making quality software is usually a business, and if you distribute it in walled gardens even more so. That said, I have a number of iOS apps installed that I know are developed and sold by specific individuals or small businesses: myNoise, NetNewsWire, The Iconfactory (Bitcam, Tapestry), Sun Seeker, Rarevision VHS are some examples. I am sure there are plenty more, but there are reasons someone would not want to publish an app under own name—same as why you would create an LLC: liability, not having people stalk you personally if they did not like what you make (especially true if you distribute it for free or for a very low price), appearing more professional, etc.

I believe iOS App Store has been groundbreaking specifically in how it allowed a solo developer to start distributing work to millions of people across the entire globe with very little friction, taking care of things that are not just boring but actually not in reach of an individual—pricing in different currencies, accounting under different legal and tax systems, zero friction installation, discovery (at least before it, thanks to the aforementioned qualities, became ultra competitive and overwhelmed by businesses who outsource development and/or by less than scrupulous people wanting to earn a quick dollar), etc.—and just getting you paid. If there was a comparable precursor that I am not aware of, I would be keen to know.

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3. SSLy ◴[11 Jul 25 12:39 UTC] No.44531442[source]▶
> If there was a comparable precursor that I am not aware of, I would be keen to know.

Play Store Apps is contemporary to App Store, no?