Only Developers Want AppStore Fragmentation
In his latest piece for MacWorld, Jason Snell is at it again. He’s again advocating for iOS AppStore fragmentation. And as usual, all the benefits go to the developers and the consumers end up with nothing but drawbacks.
Here he tries to falsely portray the iOS AppStore as some kind of monopoly.
Think of all the negative coverage you’ve seen of Apple regarding the App Store–apps being rejected, developers unhappy and complaining. When every app review decision is no longer a death sentence, the gravity of the situation is reduced. What was once a story about Apple ruining someone’s business for capricious reasons is now just Apple declining to be someone’s marketing partner. That makes it a much less juicy story, and that’s good for Apple. — Jason Snell
Because IOS developers choose to create an app for the iPhone, it’s somehow Apple’s fault that they spend their time on a crappy app? How is this different from the rest of the retail universe? If Boeing spends 5 years and $80 Billion dollars on a new design that nobody wants, it’s tough luck. If Apple rejecting apps was such a problem, developers would leave the iOS AppStore. But since that’s not happening, we know that Jason is creating a false argument so that he can enrich his developer friends.
If developers don’t have to bet it all on an App Store acceptance, it also means that they might be more willing to build daring and interesting apps that currently are too risky. Sure, being on the App Store would remain the goal of most developers (it’s hard to imagine it wouldn’t remain the most important real estate on iOS), but many more things are possible if the all-or-nothing gamble is gone. — Jason Snell
Again, Jason is advocating for fragmentation of the AppStore. This means that consumers will no longer have convenient access to all of their software in one place. It also means, setting up an account with every business on the web. Which means sending your credit card number to some company you never heard of in Russia. No thanks Jason.
If you want to see what the iOS App Store might be like in a non-exclusive future, consider the Mac App Store.— Jason Snell
The Mac AppStore is precisely why I am so passionate about this subject. It sucks! A lot of good apps aren’t available in the Mac App Store because greedy developers have chosen to make more money instead of providing convenience for their customers. If Apple lets them, developers will always put the customer experience second priority after their own profitability.
It’s one of the reasons why I prefer using my iPad Pro over a MacBook. I can easily restore my iPad Pro software anytime I want because it’s all managed by Apple on the AppStore. I don’t have to store my software codes or website addresses to go and redownload software like on the Mac. And I worry much less about Malware on my iPad Pro.
Anyone who points to the Mac AppStore as a viable future for the iOS AppStore is out of their mind. The Apple corporation knows more than anyone how big the malware problem on the Mac is and is probably one of the reasons that they are so reluctant to go that route.
But it’s more than that: Apple pays close attention to the apps that aren’t in the Mac App Store. Over the last few years, it has approached developers who aren’t in the store, asked them why they aren’t, and has adjusted its policies and technology to get them inside. Apple has invented whole new app entitlements (the system that allows apps to ask for permission for certain behaviors) to get more complex apps in the Mac App Store. — Jason Snell
Jason ignores the core problem with the Mac AppStore and tries to put the onus on Apple. The issue is that developers are attracted to paying customers. The Mac platform is relatively insignificant compared to the iOS platform. And compounding the problem for the Mac AppStore is the fragmentation. The largest and strongest developers are allowed to leave the Mac AppStore leaving behind only the small and obscure apps. This is a cautionary tale on a possible dystopian future for the iOS AppStore.
IOS developers are a naïve bunch. They always interpret Apple’s rules in light of the best possible scenario. And Jason Snell generally parrots back their propaganda. Apple on the other hand, always creates rules for the minority. They assume the worst could happen. Laws are for the minority. Most people would never kill someone. But yet, the law exists because a minority would.
Jason Snell has consistently advocated for policies that make the developer richer and the consumer experience poorer. He’s attacked Apple’s motives as “being about money” and never given a fair shake to the view that Apple is sticking up for the consumer. This is by no accident. Jason is trying to confuse the issue and portray the developer as the consumer. This is dishonest, and it’s time that Apple does something about Jason’s dishonesty and declares him persona non grata. If Jason wants to continue his disinformation campaign, fine. But do it without help from Apple in getting pre-release hardware or invitations to future events or product briefings.
Criticizing Apple is okay. But refusal to portray both sides of the issue here is my problem with Jason. It’s one thing to say that Apple made a bad decision. It’s another to muddy the waters and deliberately try to confuse the public. Jason isn’t just trying to criticize Apple. He’s trying to gin up support from the public to enrich developers at the expense of their own convenience. At the end of the day if it’s up to Jason, the consumer is left with a weaker Appstore, less convenient access to their apps, and less security for their finances.
Think of all the negative coverage you’ve seen of Apple regarding the App Store–apps being rejected, developers unhappy and complaining. When every app review decision is no longer a death sentence, the gravity of the situation is reduced. What was once a story about Apple ruining someone’s business for capricious reasons is now just Apple declining to be someone’s marketing partner. That makes it a much less juicy story, and that’s good for Apple. — Jason Snell
Because IOS developers choose to create an app for the iPhone, it’s somehow Apple’s fault that they spend their time on a crappy app? How is this different from the rest of the retail universe? If Boeing spends 5 years and $80 Billion dollars on a new design that nobody wants, it’s tough luck. If Apple rejecting apps was such a problem, developers would leave the iOS AppStore. But since that’s not happening, we know that Jason is creating a false argument so that he can enrich his developer friends.
If developers don’t have to bet it all on an App Store acceptance, it also means that they might be more willing to build daring and interesting apps that currently are too risky. Sure, being on the App Store would remain the goal of most developers (it’s hard to imagine it wouldn’t remain the most important real estate on iOS), but many more things are possible if the all-or-nothing gamble is gone. — Jason Snell
Again, Jason is advocating for fragmentation of the AppStore. This means that consumers will no longer have convenient access to all of their software in one place. It also means, setting up an account with every business on the web. Which means sending your credit card number to some company you never heard of in Russia. No thanks Jason.
If you want to see what the iOS App Store might be like in a non-exclusive future, consider the Mac App Store.— Jason Snell
The Mac AppStore is precisely why I am so passionate about this subject. It sucks! A lot of good apps aren’t available in the Mac App Store because greedy developers have chosen to make more money instead of providing convenience for their customers. If Apple lets them, developers will always put the customer experience second priority after their own profitability.
It’s one of the reasons why I prefer using my iPad Pro over a MacBook. I can easily restore my iPad Pro software anytime I want because it’s all managed by Apple on the AppStore. I don’t have to store my software codes or website addresses to go and redownload software like on the Mac. And I worry much less about Malware on my iPad Pro.
Anyone who points to the Mac AppStore as a viable future for the iOS AppStore is out of their mind. The Apple corporation knows more than anyone how big the malware problem on the Mac is and is probably one of the reasons that they are so reluctant to go that route.
But it’s more than that: Apple pays close attention to the apps that aren’t in the Mac App Store. Over the last few years, it has approached developers who aren’t in the store, asked them why they aren’t, and has adjusted its policies and technology to get them inside. Apple has invented whole new app entitlements (the system that allows apps to ask for permission for certain behaviors) to get more complex apps in the Mac App Store. — Jason Snell
Jason ignores the core problem with the Mac AppStore and tries to put the onus on Apple. The issue is that developers are attracted to paying customers. The Mac platform is relatively insignificant compared to the iOS platform. And compounding the problem for the Mac AppStore is the fragmentation. The largest and strongest developers are allowed to leave the Mac AppStore leaving behind only the small and obscure apps. This is a cautionary tale on a possible dystopian future for the iOS AppStore.
IOS developers are a naïve bunch. They always interpret Apple’s rules in light of the best possible scenario. And Jason Snell generally parrots back their propaganda. Apple on the other hand, always creates rules for the minority. They assume the worst could happen. Laws are for the minority. Most people would never kill someone. But yet, the law exists because a minority would.
Jason Snell has consistently advocated for policies that make the developer richer and the consumer experience poorer. He’s attacked Apple’s motives as “being about money” and never given a fair shake to the view that Apple is sticking up for the consumer. This is by no accident. Jason is trying to confuse the issue and portray the developer as the consumer. This is dishonest, and it’s time that Apple does something about Jason’s dishonesty and declares him persona non grata. If Jason wants to continue his disinformation campaign, fine. But do it without help from Apple in getting pre-release hardware or invitations to future events or product briefings.
Criticizing Apple is okay. But refusal to portray both sides of the issue here is my problem with Jason. It’s one thing to say that Apple made a bad decision. It’s another to muddy the waters and deliberately try to confuse the public. Jason isn’t just trying to criticize Apple. He’s trying to gin up support from the public to enrich developers at the expense of their own convenience. At the end of the day if it’s up to Jason, the consumer is left with a weaker Appstore, less convenient access to their apps, and less security for their finances.
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