Using an iPhone, you have a choice of apps selected by Apple. For those who like simplicity, the same is true on Android smartphones and the Google Play store, and now even on Windows PCs and the Microsoft Store. Those wanting more choice, however, Android users always have the option of sourcing apps from independent sources. With the iPhone, it’s different – everything is controlled by Apple, and app developers wanting to reach its users must adapt to its requirements. Is it possible that the Cupertino giant Apple will eventually change this restrictive system?
However, the EU’s Digital Markets Act could change things…. and potential competitors are already waiting. One of them is Setapp, a service offering more than 240 Mac and iPhone apps on a monthly subscription basis. Installing apps previously involved using the App Store, but with the debut of iOS 17.4, that will change. Those interested in Setapp can already sign up for a waiting list to be the first to use the independent iPhone app provider in beta. App makers will also benefit from the service, avoiding having to give Apple 30% of the profits from micropayments and receiving 70% of the revenue from the monthly subscription.
AppStore LOGOS
Basically, also on android there is support only for applications coming directly from Google Play. And here, of course, we care about security and google itself officially states that it scans more than 100 billion applications per day. Personally, I haven’t come across a virus-ridden application from Google Play, but you can find a lot of information about faulty applications on the Internet. Google itself does not charge some huge fees and official sources say that For 99% of developers subject to the service fee, the amount does not exceed 15%. So this is twice as low as the minimum fees in the Apple store. To the rescue comes European Union legislation coming into force in 2024 – the Digital Markets Act, designed to increase competition in digital markets and prevent large companies from abusing their powerful sphere of influence.
We are to expect changes already in the iOS 17 operating system, which hits iPhone owners in September 2023. The bill would also give users more choice over other hardware-related apps, such as the camera, web browser, NFC payment system and AirTag, which helps locate a smartphone. The changes are expected to initially exist for users in European Union countries, but there is a chance they could reach other regions over time, if the European law finds followers abroad. Had Apple ignored the recommendations, it could have faced a fine of 10% of their annual revenue, or 20% if it continued to violate the law.
It is still worth getting acquainted with the amounts that oscillate in the world of mobile applications or games. And so, for example, specialists say that the creation of an extensive and stable mobile application for the two most popular operating systems regardless of its nature or purpose is usually a cost of approx. 50 000$- 100 000 $. In order to distribute the app through the Google Play store, a developer account must be created. This needs to be done only once and involves a one-time fee of $25. Putting an app in the competitive App Store is free as long as you have a developer account. The cost of creating a developer account on the App Store is $99 and this is the cost of an account for 12 months. Every year the developer must renew the account for $99.
How to begin
This is how we get into the description of the new store which will appear simultaneously on several platforms – Windows, Android and iOS. And here it should be noted that access itself is on a subscription basis. For the time being, it costs not a whole $10 and already allows you to use all the applications available in this store at no extra charge. The first 7 days we get for free so that we can see if we can find apps for ourselves there, of which there are said to be 240+ at the moment.
Membership Ideas
For the moment, the official Setapp.com website itself does not stand out. You can read what the idea of the app itself is, search the site to find the app you are interested in, or see if there are any apps that are for you at all. And here you should stop because a person has prepared a tab , “SOLVE WITH AI”. We guess that there are AI applications there that, based on artificial intelligence, will help us in our daily challenges, i.e. finding content, drawing, mixing music, video editing or processing applications.
App browser
On the last tab there is a Podcast where we can listen while running or traveling to the latest technologies that setapp developers discuss. There they don’t just talk about apps but also about the problems of today’s technology i.e. photovoltaics, electric cars, Wi-Fi systems or augmented reality.
Returning to the topic of the article, I am personally very pleased that more environments with applications have begun to emerge. For the ordinary user this is positive news which should bring competition and lower prices or provide better applications. Now Play store or Appstore will have to prepare their own subscription plans or encourage users to stay and use apps from their official store.
