I just found this today (I'd prefer a written article rather than a video, but that's beside the point) - Apparently, there's a class-action lawsuit against Apple going on now. They argue Apple has a monopoly on how iOS apps are sold -
Their App Store is the only way to buy apps for iOS devices, and Apple charges developers a 30% cut on the profits, which contributes to driving app prices up. The video:
https://youtu.be/90WBJTJz0P0

Seems like this could be an interesting case. On most other computing platforms, people can buy software from anywhere they want, and developers can easily charge what they want. I know Apple likes to ensure a good experience by keeping their iOS devices inside a walled garden, but I also like to be able
to do what I want with the things I purchase. I think it would be good to be able to get apps from other sources and have less restrictions on them.

I am familiar with jailbreaking, and I'm aware that the jailbreaking process adds an additional source of apps. Apple's App Store is the only "official" source of apps for iOS though.

Nightfox

Re: Apple class-action lawsuit regarding apps
By: Nightfox to All on Wed Jun 12 2019 12:23 pm

I just found this today (I'd prefer a written article rather than a video, b that's beside the point) - Apparently, there's a class-action lawsuit agains Apple going on now. They argue Apple has a monopoly on how iOS apps are sol Their App Store is the only way to buy apps for iOS devices, and Apple charg developers a 30% cut on the profits, which contributes to driving app prices up. The video:
https://youtu.be/90WBJTJz0P0

It seems that a simple solution to this would be to allow other sources, but have a notification come up that states "we can't guarantee the quality or safety of the apps contained here". There may be more to it than just the App Store of course. From what I understand, the issue is more about whether they can be the platform and the music provider, app TV & movie provided, etc, or if they should just pick one of these. At least that is what it sounds like to me based on the information I've come across on this.

- Mr. Cool

Re: Apple class-action lawsuit regarding apps
By: Mr. Cool to Nightfox on Sun Jun 16 2019 11:30 am

It seems that a simple solution to this would be to allow other sources, but have a notification come up that states "we can't guarantee the quality or safety of the apps contained here". There may be more to it than just the App Store of course. From what I understand, the issue is more about whether they can be the platform and the music provider, app TV & movie provided, etc, or if they should just pick one of these. At least that is what it sounds like to me based on the information I've come across on this.

Apple seems to like to keep tight control on their products. I'm not sure how willing they'd be to allow apps from other sources, even with a warning like that.

Nightfox

Re: Apple class-action lawsuit regarding apps
By: Nightfox to Mr. Cool on Mon Jun 17 2019 09:35 am

Unfortunately, manufacturers locking down their devices is pretty much the current state of the industry. Why? The short answer is probably that it makes those companies more money than the alternative.

I personally stick with the "dumbest" phones I can find. I grudingly switched to a (technically) smart phone (in that it's one big touch screen with no physical buttons, has a browser, supports wifi, etc) within the last couple of years because the used phone place was out of candy-bar phones. All because if I'm not going to own my phone, I want it to have as limited capabilities in service of the manufacturer as possible.

(It's running Gingerbread, if anybody's wondering.)

I set up all my gaming consoles with homebrew-running capabilities. I run Arch Linux on all my desktop/laptop computers. And there are some devices I refrian from using on the basis that I can't "own" them.

Basically, I'm with you on wanting to be able to do with my hardware what I choose, but the industry is disinclined to allow that. Fortunately, at least in the U.S., there have been some promising court cases in which it was ruled that consumers have the right to hack their devices.

But, despite that, I can only see the industry continuing in the direction it's going. More and more locked down.

Re: Apple class-action lawsuit regarding apps
By: Nightfox to All on Wed Jun 12 2019 12:23 pm

This is all very interesting. What really cracks me up are those people who think they are sticking it to the corporate empire by using Apple products. I have found that Apple is also not above some of the usual corporate transgressions.