georgie01

Let’s make sure we forget how much software cost before the App Store so that we can then accuse Apple of inflating prices with their unfairly obtained monopoly of their own product.

Probably a good call. 

Very nice. Although not intended, even a small dent in a ‘global economy’ is a good thing. The world cannot all get along no matter how good the intentions are, and the larger the groups of diverse people equally governed the less likely they will be to agree and get along. Discrimination, persecution, division, and totalitarianism will be necessary to manage a globally oriented population. Ironically, the result of a global economy will be exactly the opposite of what is hoped for.

Sounds good to me. With new technology and new distribution there comes new responsibilities. Partially because in every possible way and in nearly every situation people will exploit the ‘system’ without regard for others. If things are difficult to keep track of then resources need to be properly allocated to develop a sufficient vetting method—if that can’t be accomplished then the business has no business being in business.

ralphie said:

You just proved the whole case. You have a choice of Walmart or Costco, etc. with iOS the developer has NO choice.

Apple isn’t trying to eliminate competition or even (directly) remove choice. Are you perhaps too young to remember that Apple didn’t even want to provide developers with a means to develop apps for the iPhone initially?

That was for security reasons, and that’s the primary reason the App Store is the only means of app distribution.

Some of the people who are fighting Apple’s approach maybe believe they have a noble cause, but all that will happen if they’re successful is to weaken the security of users’ devices and hurt Apple’s image (as nefarious apps end up on unsuspecting users’ devices). And Apple should make their devices less secure so that a small percentage of users can save a few dollars? How asinine.

Apps are so cheap, thanks to Apple. Or are you also too young to know how much software used to cost before the App Store?