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Re:Apple is top funder of lobby group that says it represent... by pjc50 on Tuesday September 20, 2022 @06:16AM (#32909875)
The platform fee for the IBM PC is zero. The platform fee for notorious quasi-monopolist Microsoft Windows is still zero. That is the standard to which all other platforms should be held.

There is talk about the cost of designing and manufacturing the phone, which is irrelevant, especially in a world where users frequently buy new phones every two years. That cost should be borne by the purchaser of the phone.

Now, the ongoing costs of running payment systems and app stores are more significant, and I think it's reasonable to argue that they cannot be zero, but we should have a go at determining them in the market.

Re:Apple is top funder of lobby group that says it represent... by Cthulhu_ on Tuesday September 20, 2022 @09:37AM (#32911473)
> The platform fee for notorious quasi-monopolist Microsoft Windows is still zero.

While true, paid-for apps from the MS store - the option that should be recommended to laypeople, instead of the dodgy websites that have download button styled ads - charge a registration fee [0] and Microsoft takes a cut of 5 - 30% [1]

[0] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/publish/accoun... [1] "Microsoft takes 5–15% of the sale price for apps and 30% on Xbox games"; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Store

Re:Apple is top funder of lobby group that says it represent... by pjc50 on Tuesday September 20, 2022 @11:00AM (#32912603)
The Windows app store is .. extremely poorly used. I couldn't find any stats with a brief search, but it's not popular with either users or developers. And of course the existence of a free disintermediated alternative helps this.
Re:Apple is top funder of lobby group that says it represent... by agentdrtran on Tuesday September 20, 2022 @10:50AM (#32912430)
You aren't forced to use the MS Store if you buy a Windows PC. You have the choice to use the "safe" store or the web.