Microsoft President Brad Smith raised concerns to U.S. lawmakers about what the company claims is Apple’s anti-competitive behavior around its App Store, Bloomberg News reports, citing “a person familiar with the matter.”
Microsoft President Brad Smith. Photo: GettyDuring the conversation, which occurred weeks ago, he discussed the company’s issue with Apple, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the discussion was private.
The House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee will hold a hearing with the CEOs of Apple, Amazon.com Inc., Facebook Inc. and Google-parent Alphabet Inc. on July 27.
Smith said last month that regulators should examine app store rules, which he called a far higher barrier to fair competition than Microsoft’s Windows operating software when it was found guilty of antitrust violations 20 years ago. While Smith didn’t name Apple in that public interview, a Microsoft spokesperson said later the executive was referring to the iPhone maker.
MacDailyNews Take: Brad’s concerns are that his company didn’t think of it, couldn’t execute it even if they did, and that Steve Jobs handed Microsoft its collective ass so many times, and in such rapid succession, that the Redmond Copiers had to run and hide in the cloud to escape the routine beatings.
Now defenestrated Microsoft has a CEO who’s so brave that he has to peek out of his costume hoodie to send his little lackey to whine and moan to clueless politicians about how hard it is to compete with the very company without which Microsoft would not even exist.
If Steve Jobs were here, Satya Nadella would for the next six to eight weeks be drinking his meals through a straw.
The pot calling the kettle black. How convenient he didn’t remember the situation of Windows and Internet Explorer having a firm grip monopoly. Why the heck should Microsoft care what happens on Apple’s App Store? Microsoft has it’s own App Store and Windows OS already has major computer market share, so what’s the beef. Is Apple hurting Microsoft in some way?
True. But do you even know that Microsoft was charged with illegal use of its monopoly power TWICE? Most people don’t (and probably 90% of those that did know have forgotten). So, yes, Microsoft’s two wrongs, both with regard to anti trust violations, don’t make Microsoft right.
Both times Microsoft got of lighter than Apple did over the book fiasco (congratulations Apple’s legal team).
Apple places no restrictions on who can put things up on its app store. Apple treats all developers the same as much as possible. In reality, very large developers like Microsoft get an advantage in getting things into the app store. So where’s the harm Microsoft’s President is claiming.
I am super surprised that Apple’s legal team could not make a better case in behalf of consumers and instead allowed the apposition to win for publishers. And around that time, I think, Tim devoted more defensive money to pay people off, legally of course.
Yes and you can’t use a Mac without macOS. Is it right or wrong? Maybe both. However you just need to be consistent before you make a point about something.
Wow. the company that was actually CHARGED with anti-trust violations is presuming to blow the whistle on other companies? Give me a break. Sorry that it isn’t the 90s anymore and that most people access the web through an iPhone instead of a PC, Microsoft. Perhaps Ballmer should have paid more attention when it mattered (coughZunecoughBigAssTablecoughCortanacoughHoloLenscough, cough, cough). Making anything and everything associated with Windows cloud-based or a subscription-based isn’t the solution, either. At some point the business folks are going to be the only customers Microsoft has left, and it’s only because they still have to open Word docs from 1997 somehow. As much as I disparage the modern Apple too, this is just pathetic. How are those retail stores working out, MS?
The pot calling the kettle black. How convenient he didn’t remember the situation of Windows and Internet Explorer having a firm grip monopoly. Why the heck should Microsoft care what happens on Apple’s App Store? Microsoft has it’s own App Store and Windows OS already has major computer market share, so what’s the beef. Is Apple hurting Microsoft in some way?
Obviously they’re still adjusting to there being computer markets they don’t own.
It’s deliciously ironic that MS helped save Apple, only to have Apple hand it its aforementioned ass.
I bet MS wishes it had held that 5% of AAPL.
Two wrongs don’t make a right.
True. But do you even know that Microsoft was charged with illegal use of its monopoly power TWICE? Most people don’t (and probably 90% of those that did know have forgotten). So, yes, Microsoft’s two wrongs, both with regard to anti trust violations, don’t make Microsoft right.
Both times Microsoft got of lighter than Apple did over the book fiasco (congratulations Apple’s legal team).
Apple places no restrictions on who can put things up on its app store. Apple treats all developers the same as much as possible. In reality, very large developers like Microsoft get an advantage in getting things into the app store. So where’s the harm Microsoft’s President is claiming.
I’m sure, if asked, he’d claim concern for consumers.
iOS is more anti-competitive than MS ever was, and I thought (and still do) MS should be busted up.
And though MS competed unfairly in applications, MS NEVER dictated what is allowed to run on Windows.
I am super surprised that Apple’s legal team could not make a better case in behalf of consumers and instead allowed the apposition to win for publishers. And around that time, I think, Tim devoted more defensive money to pay people off, legally of course.
MS having still monopolies on Office(docs), PC’s you still cannot buy without Windows OS, IT Education, etc… must realy be joking here 😉
Coule,
Yes and you can’t use a Mac without macOS. Is it right or wrong? Maybe both. However you just need to be consistent before you make a point about something.
Apple makes the Mac and the MacOS. HP, Dell, Lenovo, etc make PC’s and are forced to sell them with Windows from MS. Big difference…
“Don’t look at me… look at him.”
Wow. the company that was actually CHARGED with anti-trust violations is presuming to blow the whistle on other companies? Give me a break. Sorry that it isn’t the 90s anymore and that most people access the web through an iPhone instead of a PC, Microsoft. Perhaps Ballmer should have paid more attention when it mattered (coughZunecoughBigAssTablecoughCortanacoughHoloLenscough, cough, cough). Making anything and everything associated with Windows cloud-based or a subscription-based isn’t the solution, either. At some point the business folks are going to be the only customers Microsoft has left, and it’s only because they still have to open Word docs from 1997 somehow. As much as I disparage the modern Apple too, this is just pathetic. How are those retail stores working out, MS?