While facing a flurry of polls and investigations about the App Store and the distribution of apps on its devices, Apple told Australia’s consumer watchdog that developers have “multiple” ways to reach iOS users and claim they are “far from limited” to simply using the App Store.
/article-new/2020/03/appstore.jpg?resize=560%2C289&ssl=1)
In a new deposit (via ZDnet) responding to the concerns of the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission that it exploits “supposed market power in its role as an application distributor”, Apple highlights several ways developers can take to reach customers.
Specifically, Apple points out that the “entire web” exists as an alternative means of distribution, arguing that the web has become a platform in itself. Apple supports this claim by noting that iOS devices have “unrestricted and uncontrolled” access to the web, allowing users to download applications from the web.
Even if a user has only iOS-based devices, distribution is far from being limited to the Apple App Store because developers have several alternative channels to reach that user. The entire web is available to them, and iOS devices have unrestricted and uncontrolled access to it. A common approach is for users to buy and consume digital content or services on a website.
Web browsers are used not only as a distribution portal, but also as platforms, hosting “progressive web applications” (PWAs) that eliminate the need to download the developer’s application through the App Store (or other means) . PWAs are increasingly available to and through browsers and mobile devices, including iOS.
Apple says alternative delivery methods, such as web apps and developer sites, pose a competitive threat to the App Store. Apple goes on to discuss other platforms, such as the Google Play Store, noting that it struggles “vigorously” to attract developers to make apps for its platform instead of others.
As explained below, Apple faces competitive restrictions on distribution alternatives within the iOS ecosystem (including developer sites and other means through which consumers can obtain third-party applications and use them on their iOS devices) and outside of iOS.
In fact, Apple competes vigorously to attract the best developers because a reduction in the quality of applications, or restricted availability of popular applications in the App Store, would decrease the user experience. Any action that weakens the App Store’s popularity including – including preventing developers from succeeding at the App Store – would be economically irrational as it would destroy the value of the ecosystem to the detriment of consumers, application developers and Apple itself.
Apple’s new comments are unlikely to please some developers, particularly Epic Games, which is waging a huge legal battle against Apple for being an alleged monopoly. Some developers claim that Apple holds a dominant position on its devices because of the App Store and exploits its power to limit innovation and competition.
Earlier this week, in a separate lawsuit for the ACCC, Apple said it was “surprised” to hear that some developers are concerned about the review process and the guidelines that applications must follow before appearing on the App Store. The ACCC launched its App Store investigation last year and is due to release an interim report on March 31.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion on this topic, the discussion topic is located on our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors can read and follow the topic, but posts are limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.