randyl

This is not a matter of perspective. There is no other company in the world that is required to give away a business it has grown, in a market that it literally created.

There is no other business in the world that is expected to run a global business providing a store to more than two billion active users, and do it for free.

Apple doesn't give away a business it has grown nor do provide a store to two billion active users for free.  I paid $1299 for my iPhone and Apple's hardware margins are extraordinary! I love having the choice to potentially pay less directly to a developer! Rather than frame as choice between Apple's ridiculous 15%/30% tax or unsecure/scary/horrible links to third parties, it would be great if this publication could advocate for what's in the consumer's best interest.  I'm guessing there is a more optimal way that is secure/easy for the consumer, fairer to the developer considering I'm subsidizing the app store with my iphone purchase, and fair to Apple (maybe a minimal (low single digits) fee on top of transaction costs).