In general, whatever else one can say about Apple, it’s hard to see them having a monopoly in anything. Apple phones are about 1/3 of all phones in use; Apple laptops are well less than 20% of all laptops (bigger than I would have guessed), their VR headsets in use might crack three digits (OK, an exaggeration, but could there be more than 100K actually in image? I doubt it), etc.
Same is true in software and services (does anyone use iMessage outside the US?), and every place that takes Apple Pay takes Google too, nd most also take Samsung; many countries just use QR codes.
Everything which a company I don't like might do is a monopoly, and that's why I rage like Pavlovs dog any time the name is mentioned. It's very important people know my opinion on everything and everyone.
Coercive/ecosystem level monopoly. They may not control the whole market but they strongly control their own ecosystem and extract rents. Surely you know how many lawsuits are currently active against them for this reason.
The monopoly is access to a market, the market of iOS/iMac users. When someone uses their monopolistic power to restrict the way that others have access to certain users that is still using their monopoly power, just that some books are too old to consider such usage of the power of monopoly.
Yeah...everyone wants access to the Apple ecosystem market, because...
...anyone?
...Bueller?
Apple customers are a very lucrative demographic.
People that sell Apple apps, stand to make a lot of money; even if they have to pay 15% (unless they make over a mill).
But the reason that all those Apple customers love Apple (and they do; even if HN participants don't), is because of that walled garden and restrictive policy stuff.
So, if we destroy that, we are likely to also destroy the reason that so many people want access to the Apple ecosystem.
> So, if we destroy that, we are likely to also destroy the reason that so many people want access to the Apple ecosystem.
By this same logic, United States v. Microsoft Corp. should be overturned instantaneously. Microsoft Windows was the most popular operating system in the world, and the court forced Microsoft to take actions that the majority of Windows users did not agree to when they bought their PC. By reaching in and micromanaging Microsoft's ecosystem, the US destroyed the reason that users trusted Microsoft's operating system over their competitors.
What makes iOS customers special, that their ecosystem can't be destroyed while Microsoft's can? Both are accruing market damages.
They have a lot of money, compared to more budget-conscious customers, and they are used to paying more.
Makes for an attractive customer base. I know that there have been a number of studies, that found Apple apps make a great deal more money, per app, than Android ones (I'm sure there are special outliers in both camps, though).
I make free apps. In my case, it has nothing to do with "snobbery." I've just been doing it for most of my adult life, so I'm invested in the platform, like many of us do.
I also enjoy working in a challenging environment. I've learned to adapt.
So, again, why is this distinctive from the natural monopoly that Microsoft attained and illegally abused to restrict competitors from having equal access to their platform?
I believe Apple has been forced to make some concessions.
In any case, their chunk of the market never came close to Microsoft's. Also, Microsoft aggressively went after the domains of other companies, like trying to take over the Web (with some success). Apple is protecting their own market.
You do have to be careful about cooking the goose that lays the golden eggs, though. I don't feel like people are actually "playing the tape through," and thinking about the long-term ramifications of these policies.
Now would be a great time to describe some of the long-term ramifications of policies like the DMA/DSA, if you've thought of any. I'm not seeing anything damning, at least in real life.
Maybe. I think we're wandering away from my original point (as is usual on HN).
People are drooling over Apple customers; not complaining about having their personal devices locked down.
Everyone wants to force Apple to reduce the burden on developers, so they can more easily sell to Apple customers, ignoring the fact that this very restrictive environment, is why Apple customers choose Apple.
It's similar to Amazon. Amazon is notoriously tough on vendors, but provides a very smooth customer experience.
> It takes a tough man, to make a tender chicken.
Nobody has to destroy anything. If you want to keep using your Apple Approval Stamped stuff, nobody wants to stop you from doing that on your own.
Instead, people are saying that other people should be free to do what they want with their devices that they own. Thats all. Keep your Apple Safe Mode On devices, just stop trying to sabotage other people's attempts to choose otherwise.
GodelNumbering · · focus · HN ↗
gumby · · focus · HN ↗
In general, whatever else one can say about Apple, it’s hard to see them having a monopoly in anything. Apple phones are about 1/3 of all phones in use; Apple laptops are well less than 20% of all laptops (bigger than I would have guessed), their VR headsets in use might crack three digits (OK, an exaggeration, but could there be more than 100K actually in image? I doubt it), etc.
Same is true in software and services (does anyone use iMessage outside the US?), and every place that takes Apple Pay takes Google too, nd most also take Samsung; many countries just use QR codes.
carlosjobim · · focus · HN ↗
bigyabai · · focus · HN ↗
<a href="https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/29/apple-faces-renewed-scrutiny-over-removal-of-iceblock-from-the-app-store/" rel="nofollow">https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/29/apple-faces-renewed-scrutiny-...
<a href="https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-apple-navalny-app-removed/32871772.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-apple-navalny-app-removed/328...
<a href="https://www.macobserver.com/news/apple-removes-bitchat-from-china-app-store-after-government-request/" rel="nofollow">https://www.macobserver.com/news/apple-removes-bitchat-from-...
Unless you love licking boots, this type of bad-faith ignorance doesn't have a leg to stand on.
cindyllm · · focus · HN ↗
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rfghy · · focus · HN ↗
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GodelNumbering · · focus · HN ↗
MBCook · · focus · HN ↗
Isn’t that a tautology?
braiamp · · focus · HN ↗
ChrisMarshallNY · · focus · HN ↗
...anyone?
...Bueller?
Apple customers are a very lucrative demographic.
People that sell Apple apps, stand to make a lot of money; even if they have to pay 15% (unless they make over a mill).
But the reason that all those Apple customers love Apple (and they do; even if HN participants don't), is because of that walled garden and restrictive policy stuff.
So, if we destroy that, we are likely to also destroy the reason that so many people want access to the Apple ecosystem.
It's very much human nature, at work, here.
<img href="/person_sawing_off_branch_hes_sitting_on.png" />
bigyabai · · focus · HN ↗
By this same logic, United States v. Microsoft Corp. should be overturned instantaneously. Microsoft Windows was the most popular operating system in the world, and the court forced Microsoft to take actions that the majority of Windows users did not agree to when they bought their PC. By reaching in and micromanaging Microsoft's ecosystem, the US destroyed the reason that users trusted Microsoft's operating system over their competitors.
What makes iOS customers special, that their ecosystem can't be destroyed while Microsoft's can? Both are accruing market damages.
NamlchakKhandro · · focus · HN ↗
ChrisMarshallNY · · focus · HN ↗
Makes for an attractive customer base. I know that there have been a number of studies, that found Apple apps make a great deal more money, per app, than Android ones (I'm sure there are special outliers in both camps, though).
I make free apps. In my case, it has nothing to do with "snobbery." I've just been doing it for most of my adult life, so I'm invested in the platform, like many of us do.
I also enjoy working in a challenging environment. I've learned to adapt.
bigyabai · · focus · HN ↗
ChrisMarshallNY · · focus · HN ↗
In any case, their chunk of the market never came close to Microsoft's. Also, Microsoft aggressively went after the domains of other companies, like trying to take over the Web (with some success). Apple is protecting their own market.
You do have to be careful about cooking the goose that lays the golden eggs, though. I don't feel like people are actually "playing the tape through," and thinking about the long-term ramifications of these policies.
bigyabai · · focus · HN ↗
ChrisMarshallNY · · focus · HN ↗
People are drooling over Apple customers; not complaining about having their personal devices locked down.
Everyone wants to force Apple to reduce the burden on developers, so they can more easily sell to Apple customers, ignoring the fact that this very restrictive environment, is why Apple customers choose Apple.
It's similar to Amazon. Amazon is notoriously tough on vendors, but provides a very smooth customer experience.
> It takes a tough man, to make a tender chicken.
-Frank Perdue
stale2002 · · focus · HN ↗
Nobody has to destroy anything. If you want to keep using your Apple Approval Stamped stuff, nobody wants to stop you from doing that on your own.
Instead, people are saying that other people should be free to do what they want with their devices that they own. Thats all. Keep your Apple Safe Mode On devices, just stop trying to sabotage other people's attempts to choose otherwise.
ChrisMarshallNY · · focus · HN ↗
That's different from "doing what I want on my own device."