DoJ's Apple App Store probe is 'firing on all cylinders'

I will never understand this. Apple has built the company around a walled garden strategy--it is a major reason that people CHOOSE to buy into the Apple ecosystem. And if you don't like the idea of that, whether you're an app user or developer, that's fine--there's a whole wide world of computing and devices other than Apple for you to CHOOSE. It is, in fact, a much bigger world than Apple's. So where is there a monopoly here? Where is there lack of choice? No one buying into the Apple ecosystem wants to see it broken open by government luddites. This isn't opening up the market to choice, this is destroying the choice that exists in the market. 

Developers are saying the Apple App Store is anti-competitive, not actual competitors like Microsoft or Google/Android. As way too many Apple users have said, we're purchasing Apple products because we want to, not because someone is forcing us. As for app developers, you have access to other platforms so if you don't like Apple's rules, go somewhere else. We all know that the DOJ is just a front for US government access to every Apple device. Once Apple is forced to allow other app stores, the US government will require the use of a government app to access any government website, e.g., Social Security, IRS, all tax submissions. Anyone that frequents AppleInsider knows what this means. The special government app would include hidden tracking features and a backdoor, allowing government officials (IRS, DOJ, FBI, CIA, NSA) to track everything a user is accessing. This is obvious to all of us and is something they've been trying to do for years. Government users of Apple products already have this capability installed (I know this because I managed this) because all government computers of any type are owned and operated by the government so users have no privacy. This is how it should be for government and corporate users but not for private citizens.

charlesn said:

I will never understand this. Apple has built the company around a walled garden strategy--it is a major reason that people CHOOSE to buy into the Apple ecosystem. And if you don't like the idea of that, whether you're an app user or developer, that's fine--there's a whole wide world of computing and devices other than Apple for you to CHOOSE. It is, in fact, a much bigger world than Apple's. So where is there a monopoly here? Where is there lack of choice? No one buying into the Apple ecosystem wants to see it broken open by government luddites. This isn't opening up the market to choice, this is destroying the choice that exists in the market. 

The 'monopoly' is on competition (or lack of it). 

No third party app stores are allowed to exist.

A walled garden might be fine if its ecosystem were encapsulated and all first party. 

That isn't the case and the opposite is true. iPhone absolutely requires third party apps to make the product successful. 

Once you touch the world outside your walled garden (third party app stores, payments, wifi, NFC...) things change. 

For over a decade Apple has had its cake and eaten it. That's a good run. It's probably coming to an end. 

The part where you say 'no one wants...' you miss the point. 

For one, you can't possibly know. Secondly, it is irrelevant. This isn't about what consumers want (or don't want). 

At the end of the day, whatever happens, you can opt not to use third app stores if they become reality. 

avon b7 said:

charlesn said:

I will never understand this. Apple has built the company around a walled garden strategy--it is a major reason that people CHOOSE to buy into the Apple ecosystem. And if you don't like the idea of that, whether you're an app user or developer, that's fine--there's a whole wide world of computing and devices other than Apple for you to CHOOSE. It is, in fact, a much bigger world than Apple's. So where is there a monopoly here? Where is there lack of choice? No one buying into the Apple ecosystem wants to see it broken open by government luddites. This isn't opening up the market to choice, this is destroying the choice that exists in the market. 

The 'monopoly' is on competition (or lack of it). 

No third party app stores are allowed to exist.

A walled garden might be fine if its ecosystem were encapsulated and all third party. 

That isn't the case and the opposite is true. iPhone absolutely requires third party apps to make the product successful. 

Once you touch the world outside your walled garden (third party app stores, payments, wifi, NFC...) things change. 

For over a decade Apple has had its cake and eaten it. That's a good run. It's probably coming to an end. 

The part where you say 'no one wants...' you miss the point. 

For one, you can't possibly know. Secondly, it is irrelevant. This isn't about what consumers want (or don't want). 

At the end of the day, whatever happens, you can opt not to use third app stores if they become reality. 

LOLOL tell us you don't understand without using the words "I don't understand" 

avon b7 said:

charlesn said:

I will never understand this. Apple has built the company around a walled garden strategy--it is a major reason that people CHOOSE to buy into the Apple ecosystem. And if you don't like the idea of that, whether you're an app user or developer, that's fine--there's a whole wide world of computing and devices other than Apple for you to CHOOSE. It is, in fact, a much bigger world than Apple's. So where is there a monopoly here? Where is there lack of choice? No one buying into the Apple ecosystem wants to see it broken open by government luddites. This isn't opening up the market to choice, this is destroying the choice that exists in the market. 

The 'monopoly' is on competition (or lack of it). 

No third party app stores are allowed to exist.

A walled garden might be fine if its ecosystem were encapsulated and all third party. 

That isn't the case and the opposite is true. iPhone absolutely requires third party apps to make the product successful. 

Once you touch the world outside your walled garden (third party app stores, payments, wifi, NFC...) things change. 

For over a decade Apple has had its cake and eaten it. That's a good run. It's probably coming to an end. 

The part where you say 'no one wants...' you miss the point. 

For one, you can't possibly know. Secondly, it is irrelevant. This isn't about what consumers want (or don't want). 

At the end of the day, whatever happens, you can opt not to use third app stores if they become reality. 

@"avon b7" 

These were the dumbest comments I’ve read on this matter for a loong time. I can't even begin to comment on all the craziness. But luckily I don’t have to, cos it’s all been said so many times elsewhere. Where have you been the last few years in this debate?