On Monday, the legal fight instigated by Epic Games against Apple ramps up on Monday with decisions that could influence the future Apple’s App Store and Google’s knockoff in the U.S.
U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will decide whether to force Apple to let battle royale video game Fortnite back into the App Store with Epic’s in-house payment option. She will also rule if Apple can block third-party apps using Epic’s Unreal Engine development software.
Most legal experts expect the judge to extend her temporary injunction for Unreal Engine, but not reinstate Fortnite in the Apple App Store…
At stake is Apple and Google’s ability to charge fees of up to 30% to developers using their app stores… Some developers deride this an unfair and unwarranted tax. Epic and its Founder Tim Sweeney have led the backlash this year…
If the court forces Apple to keep distributing Unreal Engine, that could be positive for the iPhone maker. The decision would let other games that use the tools continue distributing their software via Apple’s platform, resulting in a 30% cut for each sale or in-app purchase. However, Apple argues that the continued distribution of Unreal Engine by what it considers to be a rogue developer could harm consumer security.
MacDailyNews Take: Epic Games wants all of the benefits afforded by Apple’s App Store for free. One question: How much did it cost developers to have their applications burned onto CDs, boxed, shipped, and displayed on store shelves prior to Apple remaking the world for the better for umpteenth time?
Consumer reports does exactly what Epic wants to do. Their app on the Apple store is free, and you go to their site to subscribe. Why is that different?
https://www.consumerreports.org/join?INTKEY=I82RLMS
It’s for a reader app not an interactive game
Why is that different? They are both services that cost money to develop, and are delivered without much input from Apple.
The difference here is that Epic was trying to allow those purchases from INSIDE the app. Apple doesn’t allow this for digital “goods” intended to live in and be used solely within the mobile app. Just imagine all the ways it would be abused.
Epic Games knew the terms when they agreed to develop games on the AppStore so I have no sympathy for them, they knowingly violated the AppStore guidelines to get Fortnite kicked out of the AppStore just to portray themselves as the “good guy fighting for consumers and developers” against Apple’s 30% cut when in reality Epic Games is just fighting for Epic Games.
The terms need to be the same for EVERYONE.. There are exceptions all over the place and causing now issues for Apple which they created.. Just lower the fee to 20% and be done with it Apple.. It is highway robbery… I don’t play games and don’t give a damn truthfully nor do I care about Epic in any way shape or form. More money gets wasted in court than anything..
why 20% ? why not 10% or 5%. Who gets to decide what is fair ?
Maybe we should make Apple pay developers to make apps; Heck since most of the apps are made by privileged “white” males I think Apple should be forced to pay ethically diverse developers 30% of the profit from the profits of privileged developers to fund there apps.
In fairness, endusers and people of privilege should have one price/commission structure and women and people of color should have another price structure … but whatever the situation Apple should not have control of the terms and conditions of their products. Come On Man! This is so obvious to everyone.
Of course Apple show have complete control over the terms and conditions of their own products. That’s just stupid.
The terms are the same for everyone. The rules are there and if you meet the conditions described, then you get the same benefit as the first company that used the same rule.
Perhaps the blanket policy of charging any in-app ‘purchase’ should be reexamined. Restricting that charge to any virtual ‘product’ that you keep or that enhances the experience of the app experience should be charged the full commission, but for any ‘pass through’ purchases like donations, event tickets, etc. where the App developer has no gains beyond a service fee should only be charged the commission on only the service fee associated with a ‘purchase’.
Additionally, to deal with the ‘unfairness’ of Apple services that duplicate 3rd party services that are charged the commission for in-app purchases (e.g. music streaming), exclude those Apps also from the commission till Apple has no similar service that competes. If Apple does enter such a market sector later they should be prepared to exclude Apps in that sector from further commissions while Apple remains active in that sector.
Agree with everything you said.
They should have other stores to turn to.
Like the Google Store?
Sure, if the Google Store is allowed to distribute iOS apps.
Sorry, Google Store is only available on Android devices. Have fun switching!
Living up to your namesake, you totally missed the point of my reply.
For now…
No way, there shouldn’t be any other stores on iOS, that would ruin iOS and one of the major selling points of iOS which is Apple’s tight control and security of the AppStore. Having alternative AppStores would create an Android situation which Google is already struggling to control.
I love the App Store, but I hate the inability to install software not available on it.
The macOS security model works just fine, no one complains about it being unsafe or insecure, so why not just allow notarized apps on iOS the same as on macOS?
Because a compromised phone is a greater threat to your privacy /data security
And you can still install un-notarized applications on the Mac.
The difference is that MacOS is open source and iOS isn’t. Personally I’m happy to with the way iOS is, as I value my security and privacy but if you’re not happy then there’s Android and all the malware infested apps you can install outside the Play Store which is also full of malware too.
Don’t impose your preferences upon others. Shop App Store only if you choose.
The AppStore is the preference of most people who read Mac daily news.com so I’m not “imposing “ anything. If you don’t like the AppStore and the way it operates then go to Android where everything is like the Wild West, where Google is struggling to control the malware threat and the latest is apps that can steal your contacts and so on.
No. I want to be able to get iOS applications for my iPad other than the Apple Store. Stop imposing your wishes on me.
Get an Android tablet, why should Apple compromise the security of iOS just because you “want” to download apps from outside the AppStore. Nobody’s forcing you to continue to use iPad and quite frankly Apple could do without whinny dissenters like YOU!
@Benjamin Owuye
I did not hire Apple as my IT department. They should stop acting like it.
I should be able to get Apps from elsewhere, App developewrs should be able to sell elsewhere.
To the extent you, Benjamin Owuye, feel safer with Apple then no one is forcing you to use other stores if they existed.
Here’s the issue – if they open up the iPad/iPhone ecosystem and then there’s malware – the freedom claiming proponents would than say iPhone/iPad ecosystem is unsafe, full of malware, no privacy, etc…
They would blame Apple and not themselves for causing the release of the malware/spyware/junkware onto themselves and others.
One of the reasons I feel fairly secure that my privacy is being watched over is knowing that Apple is fully responsible.
BTW, Epic doesn’t have a problem forcing those using “THEIR” Unreal Engine to pay a fee but they don’t want to pay a fee to Apple.
And what they attempted to do was not to pay Apple any fee.
They’re just trying to shift the focus but its really Epic trying to have their cake and not pay for it. I believe they get a majority of their business thru the Apple eco-system.
They’re not be benevolent.
Don’t fall for it.
IMHO
An Apple was enriched by the perception. Others are capable too, perhaps more so. Others less so.
That argument holds water if iOS development becomes Apple property after approval. The vast majority of Apps are not Apple owned.
That is absolutely untrue. MacOS is not open source, even if elements of it were sourced from nonprofits development. You should read the fine print on the Apple user agreement before exposing your ignorance.
MacOS is secure and it allows the end user personal control to do business directly with 3rd party developers or write his own software. It demonstrates that you don’t need a monopoly store to ensure platform security.
iOS was created specifically to prevent 3rd party developers from getting recurring business from the users without Apple taking a cut, whether Apple did anything useful in the interim. If it sounds like monopoly power, that is because it is. The fact that thousands of small and large developers have chosen to play along doesn’t change that fact. Capone had plenty of small businesses play along with his big business too.
If Apple sells hardware, the end user should have complete control over how to manage that hardware, as the Mac. Period. Forcing the iOS developers into a single marketplace where their IP is surrendered to Apple and rules are arbitrarily enforced, and big outfits like Google and Facebook get special treatment because they can buy their way into preferred product placement is a horrid business model.
MacOS once made Apple great, because it empowered the user.
iOS has ruined Apple, because it has made them drunk on power.
Blah, blah. blah, IOS is what made Apple great, don’t pass on your bullshit Android preference with this having complete control nonsense, we already have complete control over our iPhones, we can turn the things off and we don’t need to manage every aspect of our iPhones, Apple is right for the most part in its AppStore policies and the likes of Google and Facebook get special treatment because they’re important developers. for Apple. The control Apple has over the AppStore is why it’s the most secure and is why the Play Store is the hot mess it is. Sure there’s things that Apple can improve on but to ask Apple to compromise on one of it’s key selling points just because of a few whinny developers is wrong. Thankfully you don’t run Apple.
I want to remove Safari, I want to publish an “Apple Sucks” App, thankfully I don’t run Apple.
Why are you looking after Apple’s interest?
Are you a financial stakeholder or a lemming? Both?
I’ve used both platforms but for security Android privacy I can only trust Apple As I’ve had awful experiences with Android which has proven that all the “freedom” you crave so much is at the cost of security and privacy which is something I’m not prepared to compromise on. Android sucks and I’m only using it now because of APKs so I can watch tv shows. I defend Apple because I’m genuine an Apple fan. Why do you own an iPad when you clearly hate Apple? Just quit this site and defend the toxic hell stew and fragmented mess of a platform elsewhere as your opinion isn’t shared by the majority on here.
Also because Apple has the best iPhone experience that’s easy to use and is the most secure so I don’t have to worry about anything with Apple. It’s a very good think you don’t run Apple because you’d ruin Apple and what they stand for, privacy and security along with making the best products that just work. Try to understand why people like me will always defend Apple because they’re a great company. Take your cynical opinion elsewhere.
@Benjamin Owuye
And all that is well and good. For you…
You’re choices are none of my business, my wanting more choices is none of yours.
There is nothing wrong with wanting more choice but when your entire platform is built on having one AppStore for security and privacy reasons, and won’t change. You either accept it or you use a platform that has what you want. As you said to me your choices are none of my business but when you want something most people are happy with and to turn it into Android, with all it’s flaws then I have a problem. You are a very loud minority who has a problem with iOS and you don’t have to use it.
“I love the App Store, but I hate the inability to install software not available on it.”
Then, you don’t love the App Store.
“I love water, but I hate how wet it is.”
you guys need to check out android. They have the features you request. Its not essential for you to use an iPhone and agree to the terms of the iOS ecosystem. You have many options that are actual more affordable and accessible. Apple sales a premium product with limitations that both the end users and developers agree too.
Be thankful that you are not imprisoned behind the great firewall of CCP china surveillance state, Use you freedom of choice and vote with your pocket book. If Apple’s business model is flawed then time will tell.
There are already options that are less secure and more open. Apple’s customers pay a premium for security, privacy and dependablity. In return for access to Apples secured wall garden Apple’s customers pay higher prices and except limits in functions. it’s up to Apple how they make this happen. And you have the choice not to sign on. The operative word here is consensual. (legal) made by the mutual consent of two or more parties.
But tell the truth you really don’t give a care about users and developers, you just hate Apple and its success.
Unfortunately for some of these people, even though they apparently dislike Apple’s business model, the thought of using anything other than an iPhone is just NOT something they’re willing to do.
What you see as limitations in the iPhone, i see as a more polished and user friendly experience that’s super secure and my privacy is respected with apps generally working better on iPhone. I don’t care about the extra gimmick features that bring complications and comes at the expense of your privacy and security. I have an Android phone but hardly use it other than for APKs for watching the latest tv shows otherwise it’s iPhone all the way.
I did.
I own 2 iPads.
And even if I didn’t my choices as a customer are impacted and I get to complain. Got it?
Im not against you having the right to complain but you’re complaining just for the sake of compl. You’re too cynical towards Apple. Why are you even here. You should be on Android central.
At first because it’s where all the bullshit is, but I found some impartial observers as well.
Unrebutted bullshit tends to become perceivesd as truth.
Thr only bullshit I read on here is YOURS!
Prove it!
Then apple should obviously change the way the do business to please “some people”
No… the law.