Bad times for Apple, more specifically for its policies in relation to the App Store and installing apps on iOS. Let us remember that although, with the first generation iPhone, those from Cupertino opted for web services, ignoring the possibility of installing apps, it took them a very, very short time to see the monstrous volume of business that having an application store and Of course, this was the only way to install them.
Thus, since the App Store debuted with the arrival of the iPhone 3G, this business unit has not stopped giving very good news (read huge income) to the coffers of those of Cupertino. First with the sale of the apps themselves, and later with the birth and emergence of that endemic evil that has plagued software and games for a long time, in-app purchases and subscriptions. Thus, it is understandable that Apple has tried, from its origins, to keep iOS as a private fiefdom, paying more attention to maintaining the famous fenced garden than to preventing events that should not occur.
Obviously, this policy does not fit with the antitrust rules that apply in much of the world. However, there is a very important aspect, and that is that the existing legislation in this regard, and which comes from long ago, did not contemplate a figure such as that of application stores, a market that is actually relatively new (it began to gain presence little more than ten years ago). And yes, I know, ten years may seem like a long time, but let’s remember the speed at which regulators move to understand that, in their eyes, it is a very recent phenomenon.
However, little by little we are seeing movements aimed at ending this situation, in which Apple imposes its store and imposes its payment gateway. Europe, the United States, South Korea… more and more geographies are attacking the limitations imposed by Apple, either for downloading apps or for making payments. And, as we can read in PhoneArena, Japan will also make Apple allow app installations without going through the App Store.
We already told you, a couple of months ago, that Apple was testing the sideloading of apps on iOS, although we later learned that this novelty could only reach Europe. However, after the last court decision so far, within the confrontation between Apple and Epic Games, it is possible that this function should also arrive sooner rather than later in the United States. And if actions in this regard are confirmed in Japan, We are going to see how, in a short time, the list of countries in which Apple can continue to control the fenced garden will be substantially reduced.
