thedba

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thedba
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  • New EU regulations mandate user-replaceable batteries in Apple products

    thedbathedba
    Evan-el said:
    mayfly said:
    ... making the RAM and SSDs replaceable/upgradeable again!
    While I agree in theory, the reality is that integrated boards improve reliability. In addition, the computers and phone which never receive any type of dedicated updates (and often from companies that have no strategy to update the software) make phone and computers feel like they have run their course, when in reality the hardware is still fine and needs no upgrades. I'd rather see EU focus on dedicated software support, than on mandating certain hardware requirements. However, since software is generally "invisible" in nature, the higher ups can't quite comprehend the benefit of good software in the long run, vs. fully user replaceable hardware.
    I would say that what the EU could do, is reign in "extended warranties" like Apple-Care. 
    I know there was a lawsuit in Italy a few years ago and they were forced to extend the manufacturers warranty by a year instead of peddling to the customer "Apple Care". I don't know if this was extended to the rest of the EU. 
    Forcing all manufacturers to offer 2-3 year guarantees on their expensive gadgets, would be legislation many of us could get behind.
    OTOH forcing a certain engineering design on the manufacturer is just plain ignorant. 
    Let the market decide. Companies like BlackBerry insisted that physical keyboards were a must have according to their customers. Well turns out their customers didn't care as much as they thought they would, for physical keyboards. 
    If the public really believes that swappable batteries of old are important, then in a few years Apple won't be able to give away their iPhones. 
    radarthekatwilliamlondon

  • New EU regulations mandate user-replaceable batteries in Apple products

    thedbathedba
    Personally I think a better program would be to charge an extra amount (say 50 euros) per device and at the end of life of said device you exchange it for a newer one and get reimbursed or apply that deposit to the new one. 
    That would incite people to bring in their old devices for them to get disposed of properly.
    This replaceable battery nonsense is outdated in today's market, especially since batteries are far more advanced today and will most likely last for the life of the device.
    Furthermore no one can stop people from just chugging the old battery in the dumpster. 
    Another problem, would the EU mandate how that replaceable battery would be shaped and connected to the device? 
    Would a Samsung Galaxy battery fit on the iPhone and vice versa?  
    If not, aren't they just replacing one problem with another? Everybody charges via USB-C yeeeeahhhh!  Oh but replaceable batteries aren't compatible amongst manufacturers. booooo!
    Evan-elh4y3swatto_cobrakingofsomewherehot

  • Apple is letting Tesla skip millions of dollars in App Store fees

    thedbathedba
    dave2012 said:
    thedba said:

    As for the alert where Apple directs the customer to alternate payment methods via the DEV's website, that's old news. 
    It was an issue and I think one of devs was Netflix at the time, where they wanted to put a message with a hyperlink in the description of the app in the App Store and Apple clearly said "NO". 
    Oh, that doesn't sound good if Apple doesn't alert us, it sounds like they're trying to keep us in the dark about alternative payment methods and then exploit our ignorance. I don't like companies that play those sort of tricks on their own customers.
    Well then you’d have to tell me which company/distributor alerts its customers that the same product they’re selling can be purchased elsewhere for less.

    Does your grocery store advertise that “Tide laundry detergent” can be purchased at the Walmart down the road, for $2 less?
    Does Microsoft advertise on their site, that a Windows or Office license can be purchased from a reseller for much less?  https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/06/27/pick-up-a-standalone-microsoft-office-license-for-mac-or-pc-for-only-2999

    Pretty standard across the industry, I say.
    williamlondonwatto_cobra

  • Apple is letting Tesla skip millions of dollars in App Store fees

    thedbathedba
    dave2012 said:
    thedba said:

    Take a look at Reply #10 from "yours truly" as to why Apple may take a cut of 15% or 30% from in app purchases or subscriptions. 
    Could that "overhead" be lower? A separate debate I guess. 


    Thanks, sorry, yes you've answered already! So it's a processing fee. Well then, 15% or 30% sounds way to high for that - it sounds like Apple are exploiting us. Maybe it would be a good idea if Apple were forced to show an alert that it may be cheaper for us to go directly to the developer's website.
    I wouldn't take my word for it but I'm pretty sure that "processing fee" as you put is part of the reason. There may be other reasons and yes, one of them could be "greed". 
    Either way I haven't looked deeply into Apple's financial reports to answer with any kind of authority. 

    As for the alert where Apple directs the customer to alternate payment methods via the DEV's website, that's old news. 
    It was an issue and I think one of devs was Netflix at the time, where they wanted to put a message with a hyperlink in the description of the app in the App Store and Apple clearly said "NO". To my knowledge this isn't an issue any longer and like I mentioned Microsoft, Netflix, Adobe cloud I think, only have subscriptions to their services through their webpages. Apple gets, you guessed it, $0.00.  And no Apple will not give them free advertising in the app store dangling a free hyperlink to the customer.  
    watto_cobra

  • Apple is letting Tesla skip millions of dollars in App Store fees

    thedbathedba
    dave2012 said:
    thedba said:

    01. There are no ongoing fees for apps that charge an upfront price and then you own it. The game "Monument Valley" comes to mind. I bought it and now I own it. I can redownload it with no additional fees if I replace my iPhone. 
    Subscription apps are different (Disney+, DAZN etc.)  They constantly churn out new content and that "content" has a cost ($9.99/month $19.99/month or a yearly $149/year to name but a few examples). 
    So from what you're saying the App Store IS like a 'normal' store. So when rob53 says:

              'It appears that people don’t think computer-type things, including app stores, should have to follow what “normal” stores have to follow.'

    Then the 'people' he's actually referring to are people at Apple who think this entitles Apple to mark up in-app subscription fees? So these Apple people don't seem to realise there's no connection between where you buy an app and the consequential future payments. No connection I can see, anyway.  

    And from what Kurai_kage says there are two different ways to pay these subscription fees:

           1. on the web
           2. in the app

    If someone chooses to pay in the app then presumably Apple is actually charging a processing fee? In which case 30% or 15% sounds too high to me. This suggests to me that Apple is using its monopolistic position to profiteer.  Can't say I particularly understand it though!

    Take a look at Reply #10 from "yours truly" as to why Apple may take a cut of 15% or 30% from in app purchases or subscriptions. 
    Could that "overhead" be lower? A separate debate I guess. 

    Some bigger app developers do require you to subscribe via the web for their services (Netfllx, Microsoft come to mind) and Apple gets $0 dollars from the customer.
    Others OTOH (Disney+, Hole19 a golf app) are willing to let you go through the app store and Apple's cut and if those apps are popular, then Apple gets even less percentage wise. 
    There's no right or wrong here and like I explained before, it's not like Apple is just sitting back and collecting. They do offer additional services to both the app developer and ease of use to the customer. 
    thtwilliamlondonwatto_cobra