> The only pragmatic argument against Apple's app store policies
Like this:
> The only pragmatic argument against Apple's app store policies with respect to average app quality
I'm only talking about average app quality here, and whether we can conclude anything about Apple's store policies affecting app quality. I would like to see evidence that a more open policy would yield higher quality apps.
Also: I am not arguing that the web is the same as Apple's app store except insomuch as general users needn't care about the average unit's quality. My appreciation for a single well designed app is not impacted by 100 terrible apps that I will never encounter.
> people rely on their search engine or on their friends recommendations (first by email, now by Facebook/Twitter), not on some central authority.
This applies to the app store as well as to the web. I use email and Facebook and Twitter to get recommendations for apps (whether for Android or the iPhone). I don't rely on Apple to tell me what app to use.
That's bullshit ... main difference is that the Internet has multiple choices for whatever you want and real competition in a Darwinistic sense.
That argument would be valid if Apple wouldn't reject apps that "duplicate" their own functionality ... like Google Voice. When Apple stops doing that, then you might have a point.
The Web also has better mechanisms for filtering out the garbage ... people rely on their search engine or on their friends recommendations (first by email, now by Facebook/Twitter), not on some central authority.
> Who cares about the percentage of shit in the app store? It's not like you have to sift through all the apps manually.
I care because people are trying to lie to me about the virtues of Apple's policies.
I also care because I want to develop for multiple platforms and it's one thing to be technically hard to have cross-platform code, and it's another to ban that practice through a license.
And most of all, I care because people haven't learned anything from the closed-world that was once called Wintel. When starting anything, people used to worry about the "Microsoft problem", which isn't a problem anymore because of the Internet ... but Apple is Microsoft 2.0 ... they know how to make customers happy within closed walls, even in the Internet age.
So yeah, it's a worrying trend ... especially since other companies like Amazon are noticing Apple's success.