I never understood carving out one component of a company and calling it a monopoly (or having monopolistic tactics)
The app stores are one component of a product feature set and capabilities. and of a companies overall strategy and ecosystem. They have every right to control access and monetization.
If the app store fees were so egregious, developers will look elsewhere, or consumers wouldn't pay the prices. Perhaps web-based applications would become more prominent, or another company launches products/services to capitalize on a perceived achilles heal. But that doesn't happen. Because virtually NO ONE, of the billions of users around the world, is screaming for change. And most developers wouldn't even exist, or their net profits much smaller, WITHOUT the stores.
If Epic and a handful of others don't like it, who gives a shit?
Why in the world should any platform developer give free access and distribution, or lessen security, interoperability, or ease of use, for any reason? It's like someone suing Walmart to gain access to their retail floor to sell their products without paying for floor space, or giving Walmart any margin, but expecting Walmart to mange their inventory and point of sale - and marketing - for free. And giving them factory tooling (ie developer tools and support) to boot.
I DON'T WANT side loading on iOS. That's nuts, and if anyone thinks through what that means in terms of security or loss of interoperability/functionality, and potential harm from data sharing between users, you would readily see the stupidity. And who pays for the inevitable increase in support issues in this mixed environment world? How is Apple's reputation harmed if they start telling people they can't help them, and they indirectly are stained as being less than consumer friendly?
Mental midgetry in full force here.
And remember, alternative App Stores mean competition. There is no obligation to use them.
If users are so content with the current situation and understand the current restrictions, they would have no reason to stop using the App Store.
So what happens when an app you need or want, is no longer available in the Apple App Store but moved to a third party app store? What happen to that choice, that iOS users had with it being in the Apple App Store, before there was other app stores?
What happens if you are already using and paying monthly for an app from the Apple App Store, that app moves to a third party app store and now requires you to pay with a CC, instead of iTunes?
What happens if your kids wants to play a $1.99 game that all their friends are playing and raving about, but its only available on a third party app store and you have to use a CC to pay for it?
What happens if the app you want or need, is only available on a website, must be paid for on the website with a CC and can only be side loaded?
So still no reason to stop using the Apple App Store and still no obligation to use a third party app store or to side load? Right?
No obligation for sure. It may be desireable, and that's what competition is about.
Compare to the current situation where some apps, or even entire categories of apps are not available on the Apple curated store and yes, allowing side loading and/or alternative app stores would enable much more choice. If some apps disappear from the Apple App Store then people will deal with it, either by finding alternatives, doing without, or embracing side loading. And that's fine.
And the "what happens" questions have pretty obvious answers so I'm not sure why you're asking them.
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Compare to the current situation where some apps, or even entire categories of apps are not available on the Apple curated store and yes, allowing side loading and/or alternative app stores would enable much more choice. If some apps disappear from the Apple App Store then people will deal with it, either by finding alternatives, doing without, or embracing side loading. And that's fine.
And the "what happens" questions have pretty obvious answers so I'm not sure why you're asking them.