[adrianmsmith]

> However, you can opt not to use the App Store.

You cannot really opt not to use the App Store if you want to create apps for that platform.

> If you think that will impact your product, then this confirms that the App Store provides value

I'm not sure it necessarily confirms that. You might want to use it because it adds value. You might need to use it just because it's essentially a monopoly (if you want to reach iPhone users, that is).

If users could directly download apps without going through the store _or_ they could use the store, and people chose to publish their apps on the store then, yes, I would agree, that demonstrates it provides value, and it's reasonable to Apple to charge for that.