Stratechery Apple, Epic, and the App Store
Aug 17, 2020
Dive into the complexities of antitrust law, shedding light on the intricacies of Apple's business model and its impact on the market. Discover how Apple's vertical integration enhances user experience and fosters trust in the app ecosystem. Unpack the dynamics of the App Store, exploring the balance between user benefits and the challenges developers face. Finally, weigh the advantages and limitations of Apple's policies, especially for small developers navigating this competitive landscape.
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Anti-Competitive Behavior and Business Success
- Successful businesses are inherently anti-competitive because they differentiate themselves.
- The line between acceptable anti-competitive behavior and illegal practices changes as a business grows.
Apple's Vertical Integration
- Apple's vertically integrated model, combining hardware and software, is designed to be anti-competitive.
- This strategy, once criticized, is now key to Apple's success.
iPhone's Predicted Demise
- Pundits predicted the iPhone's demise due to competition from Android devices.
- However, they underestimated the value of Apple's integrated user experience.