Uhhh ... is it in a tool bag? If so I'm going to have to check to see if we are cousins trained by the same grandfather. :-)

I think a developer wanting a large audience, or to make money, will not frivolously pass on the official App Store, Apple or Google. That there better be some damn special reason not to be on the store.

FYI. FOSS won't be an argument. Apple's development tools are free and a paid developer account is not necessary to build and run software on your own device. You could put your FOSS app on the App Store and make the source code available on your website to be FOSS compliant.

I didn't read the details of the city's notice, I'm not public brick and mortar, but I expect a good faith effort at making change is required.

Lets not forget introducing a competing service, the Apple Books eReader app and its store.

I expect that is the misunderstanding of some journalist. I would suggest looking at the DOJ filings to get at the real argument(s). I expect it is more about being able to apply pressure to a developer, which is broader than a walled garden. Plus side loading does not eliminate the ability of Apple or Google to pressure developers. Being on the official store is still important. Big scary side loading warnings about potential harm to your phone still works to a degree. The ease of side loading varying with the technical sophistication of the user. And there is the simple belief that if its on the official store its unlikely to be malware, factual or not.

Here's an article that discusses the relevance of US vs Microsoft to a potential US vs Apple:

"In today’s case, the Department of Justice doesn’t merely imply that Apple benefited from the results of United States v. Microsoft; it comes right out and says it. Take section 26 of the complaint: For example, the iPod did not achieve widespread adoption until Apple developed a crossplatform version of the iPod and iTunes for Microsoft’s Windows operating system, at the time the dominant operating system for personal computers. In the absence of the consent decree in United States v. Microsoft, it would have been more difficult for Apple to achieve this success and ultimately launch the iPhone. It goes on to detail how iTunes initially only worked on Mac computers; after the consent decree, Apple developed a version for Windows, and the iPod started going gangbusters. The rest is... history? I’m not really sure Apple owes the DOJ a thank-you card for making the iPhone possible, but not having to deal with Microsoft’s bullying along the way didn’t hurt."
https://www.theverge.com/2024/...

Apple has been accused of harming developers by offering a competing free app.

Also accused for harming apps by changing permissions, for example making it harder for apps to get at your contact list or other personal info they want to monetize or utilize.

The simple truth is that Apple can f*ck with a developer that has pissed them off, side loading or not. The only thing that would stop that would be something like the US vs Microsoft consent decree that places limitations on behavior. Which is what the citation above is getting at. Microsoft was not allowed to bring out its old abusive playbook to promote its Zune MP3 player over the iPod MP3 player.

Not really. If you aren't on the App Store your sales will take a hit. The big scary warning about unknown software harming your phone works, even on Android (see 2016 election workers for example). Not being on Google Play will also hit you in the wallet. Apple and Google still have influence. The US vs Microsoft case was more about influence, pressure, not so much market share.

Did Apple file an amicus brief during US vs Microsoft (2001), claiming harm from a market leader? That would be fun to re-read now.

Until the malpractice suit, then it's Google's fault. Always point to someone with deeper pockets. :-)

Android is dominant globally, not in the USA. Around 59% Apple, 41% Android\. Globally Apple is around 27% and Android 72%.

Its not. It's based on an Apple Silicon CPU designed for use on an iPhone. An A18 Pro CPU. The 'A' series CPUs are typically designed for mobile devices, the 'M' series CPUs designed for computers. Its the same instruction set, they are compatible from a software point of view. Previously there were exceptions when an 'M' series was used in a high end iPad. Now we have the other direction, an 'A' series going into a modest computer. Mobiles devices still run iOS, computers still run macOS.

Apple's software development tools are free. You can download open source code and compile it yourself and run it on YOUR iPhone. You don't need to register and pay a fee unless you want to distribute to others. You don't need to comply with Apple rules saying "such and such type of software is prohibited" since you are not going on the Apple App Store and being distributed by Apple.

We did that. We compared Apple to Microsoft.

That's why old farts carry a few emergency 20s. So they can get enough burritos and gasoline to get home in such an emergency. :-)

Once upon a time banks offered temporary credit card numbers on their websites. Login, perhaps specify the parameters of use, here's an alias number for your real card. They were awesome online. Not only did they not expose your real number, but they bonded to the first user. So if some company got hacked the numbers wouldn't work elsewhere. You could have regular payments with limits to avoid surprises. Why is the HOA trying to charge $1,000 rather than $300?

Today Apple Pay can fulfill this role. And as an added bonus it can provide the same benefits at real world terminals, not just online.

Like in the USA? The parents buy a prepaid VISA debit card and put cash into the account as necessary.

Two years ago my neighborhood gas station lost its internet connection. I dug the "emergency $20s" out of my wallet to prepay the pump. I would do the same at a favorite food truck or corner restaurant. Rather than go somewhere else. Did I mention I am old? Or does having a few emergency $20s in my wallet already indicate that? :-) FWIW it's the only cash in my wallet.