[justinclift]

> The point is none of the third party app stores pay for any of the platform development ...

Isn't that because Apple doesn't allow for third party repos/stores/etc?

If that changes after all (I'm personally hoping it does), then it would make sense that the new alternative store(s) would have their own overheads (development, running costs, etc) and would have their own fees.

That seems sensible, yeah?

[xazo]

The other stores wouldn't be paying for the ongoing development and maintenance of the iOS, UIKit, OpenGL/Metal, etc. That stuff is NOT cheap to develop and maintain. The final app that you see is trivial compared to the mountain of libraries and frameworks that Apple provides.

[justinclift]

> The other stores wouldn't be paying for the ongoing development and maintenance of the iOS, UIKit, OpenGL/Metal, etc.

Sure. And who cares? That has nothing at all to do with the App Store fees. :)

[LegitShady]

people who buy the phones pay for ongoing development and maintenance of ios and apple's software.