neoncat

Putting this in the same PR spin pile as Qualcomm's modem "study."

The more Apple twists and turns and tries to control the narrative about their stupid little App Stores, the less inclined I am to care. The war is already lost, they just won't admit it. The sooner they pivot to thinking about how to take advantage of what comes after the feudal rent seeking, the sooner we all benefit. Because it's just a matter of when it will be torn down, not if.

Or, they can keep insisting on how piously right they are, and end up giving the entire farm away like the did with both the eBook trial and the earlier Look-and-Feel lawsuits. Learn from your crushing mistakes, Apple. 

Cesar Battistini Maziero said:

It’s a sad day for freedom. 

omg the performative Apple sycophant drama surrounding this whole saga is easily the most insufferable part, even more than either of the Tim’s posturing. 

Good read, but this line stands out as the real takeaway:

And instead of just downloading an app when we need it, we will have to vigilant — and finally read those terms and conditions.

Anything that teaches, by hook or by crook, by reward or by cudgel, the "general populace" (waving hands around) to take their security into their own hands and balance petty wants against risk will only benefit them in the long term. Because guess what? Apple itself is only motivated by its desire to make money, as much of it as possible. 

Given how the App Store is packed full of scam apps, gatcha games, quickly-approved apps that are little more than rip offs of existing IP, and apps with privacy reports cards that don't actually match the data that the apps collect (not to mention Apple's strong-arming developers into adopting subscriptions again in order to feed its rapacious desire for recurring revenue), the blind trust placed in Apple to assume guardianship of our security, privacy, and the overall experience of acquiring applications is misplaced, as it is always misplaced when we abdicate our personal responsibility. 

Whether one central app store or dozens, assume none of them are looking out for your best interest. Because they're not.

mike1 said:

I'm sure they will get flack for it, but I hope there will be a way in settings to prohibit the download of anything that isn't from the app store.

I am foreseeing the nightmare ahead when my click-happy mom starts accidentally/unwittingly downloading stuff from all the ads in her games and e-mail etc.

This is a scammer's dream.

I hope people can find the time while clutching all those pearls to realize that this is a problem almost entirely of Apple's own creation. By discarding the value of the safety of their platform to chase every possible cent of revenue, they willingly dismissed concerns like yours. There were measures Apple could have taken to protect the walled garden for all its benefits. They chose not to because those choices would've represented giving up the chance to squeeze every last dime out of the construct.

Now, no one wins: App Store revenue will decline, and safety will be compromised. It's classic Apple—die on every hill, convinced to the end they are right, and at the end having nothing at all to show for it. Blinded by arrogance, avarice, and greed.

Why am I reminded of that scene in The Godfather, Part II where all the various American executives are seated at the table with the president of Cuba as he assures them the insurrectionists are no concern, and only Michael Corleone seemed aware that real trouble was brewing?

Cook is not a dumb man. I'm sure he says what he needs to say to make sure Apple's interests are represented and protected.