[lostgame]

>> I can't sell stuff on ANY platform/device without the permission of the platform/device maker.

This is kind of pedantic. There’s a massive difference between the kinds of restrictions Apple is placing on you, vs. your ability to grab a copy of Visual Studio Community for free, write an app for Windows, and sell it on your web site.

If I make a game in Unity, besides incredibly minor changes, I write my code and game once, hit a button, and get the same result for many platforms.

However, virtually the same product on Apple’s iOS platform vs. others, nets me 30% less profit per sale, simply because we aren’t allowed to side load apps without paying Apple $99/year and those apps needing to be open source.

People aren’t arguing Apple has a monopoly over mobile software, they’re pointing out the fact that due to a lack of side loading Apple has a monopoly on iOS software, which is obviously true. It is the principle of not really owning your device and freedom of use issues that have made even the EU start an investigation.

[Talyen42]

the only reason I recommend iphones to family members is because they are closed platforms, why are we trying to take away that option, a valid option to want to exist in an open marketplace, to make sure developers get more cash?

there's no inherent reason all platforms must allow arbitrary code to be executed, that's a very draconian rule to impose on the software world (ironically)