[dylan604]

And Apple delayed the roll out of the feature much longer than any other feature announced at the same time.

I create something that allows 3rd parties to build up an entire business model around it. One day, I decide to no longer offer/maintain/make viable that something. I'm supposed not be able to do that because a $50bn market built up around my work? No, I can do whatever I want because it's mine.

[mensetmanusman]

It’s an interesting example because with this argument Apple could just clone every app that is valuable and kick the original off their platform.

They do this to some extent already, but it would be interesting to know if it is always legal.

[dylan604]

To play devil's advocate to your devil, I don't really see Apple wanting to be in the market of making Candy Crush and all of its clones or any other of the various apps in the ecosystem. Much easier for them to just keep taking their cut.

However, seeing someone abusing something you thought might be a good idea that can only be stopped by lifting off and nuking it from orbit is a viable thing.

[8eye]

you can do that but there are consequences to your actions. good and bad.

[dylan604]

but not to me, and that's all that matters. (just expanding the idea) those consequences are not my problem as I did not build up a business model whose core depends on a 3rd party existing.

This is my key point. Someone created a business that in order for it to be relevant requires a 3rd party to do something in their favor. There's never a guarantee that will remain in effect. Not building a contigency plan because you've never done a proper what-if session is just absolutely bonkers. I get the forest through the trees aspect of the people building the thing, but this is exactly the type of thing the C suite and board members are supposed to be thinking about. All eggs in one basket has been a corporate no-no for a long long time (at least for the smart ones). Don't put your entire C suite on the same flight type of stuff.