The curious case of Epic Games: how the developer beat Google but not Apple
www.theguardian.com
The Fortnite maker filed antitrust suits against both tech companies – while one emerged victorious, the other was found at fault on 11 claims

“Google has taken great pains to appear more open than Apple, licensing the Android operating system to third parties like Samsung and allowing users to install apps via other methods than the Play store. Apple does neither. When it comes to exclusivity, Apple has become synonymous with “walled garden” in the public imagination. So why did a jury find that Google held a monopoly but Apple didn’t?”

  • MxM111@kbin.social
    53·
    11 months ago

    I also would point out that Google and Apple sells very different things. Apple does not sell iOS. It sells hardware to customers and the right to access users through this hardware to third parties (game makers). Google’s product to begin with is software (Operating System) on multiple phone platforms. Different laws and rules may apply there.

    • EatYouWell@lemmy.worldEnglish
      113·
      11 months ago

      Apple definitely sells the OS. That’s one of the main selling points and part of why their hardware is stupid expensive.

      • OpenStars@kbin.social
        5·
        11 months ago

        Although ironically, the OS software itself is free to end users, as are future upgrades.

        Google also sells hardware, e.g. in its Pixel line, and there too the OS software is “free”, as are future upgrades, up to a point.

        Both sell listings in their respective stores.

        These concepts are getting murkier over time.

      • MxM111@kbin.social
        01·
        11 months ago

        You do not pay, but Google does collect money one way or another. Regardless, it is their product, which is different from iPhone being a product.