[adam_arthur]

Majority of the people defending Apple would abhor Microsoft doing the same thing for windows. Imagine you had to pay Microsoft 30% on the majority of all commerce on windows.

They certainly could have made a lot more money back in the day!

[sph]

They would abhor any other company doing the same, but for some reason Apple always gets a pass.

I know it's controversial to say it's fanboyism, but if this isn't one proof of it, I don't know what is.

[ansy]

Just a counter point. Apple can charge what it wants. So can Microsoft. So can Sony. So can Nintendo. So can Valve. So can Epic. They all take a cut for access. In many cases it’s exactly the same as Apple’s, 30%. They also have total control over what apps they allow. There’s no legal reason there should be a carve out for Apple saying they’re the only company that can’t do what everyone else is already doing. And no, Apple does not really have a monopoly any more than Sony does for PS5 or Microsoft for Xbox or Google for Android.

Maybe you could argue they’re ALL wrong / illegal. But that’s a different argument.

[ksec]

Because majority or monopoly is defined by their respective market? People keep spinning Sony does for PS5, when they should have said "console". But then the same people will argue console is small market, it needs to be gaming devices which include handheld or any other devices that could play games such as Smartphone. That was actually what Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers spent 5 pages on her EPIC vs Apple case.

And why does a console, which is a single purpose appliance, used for Gaming. Be compared to a multiple purpose tools required for every day modern life?

A Train company has monopoly on trains? People would argue you have different type of transportation and you dont need train? All these argument are useless and completely misses the point.

Arguing whether it has a monopoly may not be a valid either. Standard Oil never had a monopoly, and neither did Microsoft in 90s going by those argument because Microsoft didn't have market shares in other computer like Server. And you still have linux and Mac on Desktop. You have a choice?

Ultimately it is about Anti-Trust. Too much power held by a single company that is also abusing that power.

And on the subject Apple can charge what it want. Yes. Perfectly valid argument in US America. But no, this wont fly in the rest of the world. Visa and Master can charge whatever it want for its network, until EU decide they have to lower their ridiculous fees and not to price average consumers a cut because they could get rebate from elsewhere. The same happened in AUS. Not a business model most countries are happy with.

And of course Apple supporters on 9to5mac and Macrumors are calling to pull out of small countries like Netherland as retaliation. In which I would use the same argument, if it is Apple's devices and Apple could charge whatever they want, it is also EU's market and they can do whatever they want. So yes, pull out if you dont like it.

[ansy]

My point is only that there is a valid argument to be had here. Not that it is so clearly foregone that only irrational fanboys would defend Apple’s position.

That position is a straw man which is unproductive toward the discussion.

Whether you think the EU way or the USA way is right is irrelevant. Countries / unions of countries have sovereignty and will do what they like. Apple can exit the market if it likes, as many companies have already done in places like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. I’m not comparing the EU to those places, but I am pointing out the precedence that companies don’t need to do business if the regulatory climate makes it impossible.

[ksec]

Yeah my tone was a bit off. Wasn't targeting you or your augment.

[adam_arthur]

I think we should deregulate utilities because if you don't like your utility bill you can easily move to a different neighborhood.

They should be able to charge whatever they want, because if cost is too high, you can simply move.

[programmer_dude]

While you are at it please also deregulate essential services. Crowdfund your own fire brigade, police etc.

[fartcannon]

They're the wealthiest company in history. Surly it's not a stretch to suggest some of their ardent defenders aren't, at the very least, influenced by what is likely the worlds highest paid PR company.