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- cross-posted to:
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Apple was just forced to crack open its App Store — but the changes are already being called ‘hot garbage’::Changes to how apps are distributed on iPhones should be welcomed by developers, but many are unhappy with some describing them as “hot garbage.”
Meh. It’s basically the same thing - an alternative app store is the most user friendly way to do this anyway and the EU courts will force Apple to approve any reasonable app store.
No you’re thinking of the changes Apple just made to comply with their recent loss in the USA court. That only applies to the USA.
In the EU (and only the EU) instead of charging a percentage fee there’s going to be two* 50 cent fees (per user, per year). Spotify, for example, would pay $100 million per year if they choose to “sideload”.
(* the app developer pays 50 cents per user per year, and whoever distributes the app also pays 50 cents per user per year)
Having to pay Apple any amount for distributing apps not on their app store is just rediculous. Apple is not curating or providing support for the app in any way.
App developers don’t have to pay the OS developer for any other OS (including Apple with macOS and Google with Android) to distribute apps on their website; why should it be any different with iOS? 50 cents per user per year, along with the same from the app distribution network means that indie developers will be forced to monitize their apps if they have any desire to distribute a sideloaded app on iOS, and the only ones who will be able to run alternative app stores are large companies with the capitol to do so.
Apple wants to dip their fingers where they don’t belong. This is complying with the EU regulation in bad faith.
Also on top of that, the same fee applies on Apple’s App Store as well.