Microsoft Supports Epic Against Apple’s Appeal
A year ago Xbox president Sarah Bond revealed that Microsoft was planning to launch a new Xbox mobile web store in July 2024. That never happened. I’ve been wondering what the hold up has been over the past year, and it seems we might have an answer: Apple.
Microsoft filed an amicus brief late on Tuesday, in support of Epic Games’ ongoing fight with Apple’s control over the App Store. The brief takes issue with Apple’s attempt to overturn the injunction that allows Epic and other developers to freely advertise alternative payment methods in their apps, and not have to pay Apple additional fees for purchases made outside of apps.
Prior to the district court’s most recent order, Microsoft had been unable to implement linked-out payments (or even inform customers that alternative purchase methods exist) because of Apple’s new anti-steering policies that restrict Microsoft’s communication to users and impose an even higher economic cost to Microsoft than before the injunction.
[…]
Similarly, Microsoft has long sought to enable Xbox app users on iOS to both buy and stream games in the app from the cloud or their other devices. Apple’s policies have restricted Microsoft’s ability to offer these functionalities together; the injunction allows Microsoft to explore this possibility.
Previously:
- Epic Files Motion to Enforce Injunction
- Apple Appeals Epic Anti-Steering Injunction
- Microsoft Still Unhappy With iOS Cloud Gaming Rules
- Streaming Games in a Single App
- Microsoft’s Open App Store Principles
- Microsoft xCloud App Store Negotiations
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I saw that Hey mail have started linking out as well. Hopefully this will uravel completely for Apple, and all that's left is scammy in-app purchases of Smurfberries.
@Kristoffer: I don't really hope for that... I actually like Apple's IAP system from a user perspective, but I want to see them reduce the fee to actually compete rather than abusing their position to extract non-competitive rents.
As a long-time Mac user and developer, my hatred of Microsoft runs deep—I still won’t let their software anywhere near my machines. But in this fight? Go Microsoft!!!
And note, I didn’t say Apple—despite my first computer being an Apple IIc. I’m here for the Mac. If it weren’t for that, Apple—thanks to Cook and the rest of the cretins running it—would be right there in the Microsoft camp with me.
@gildarts I think that ship has sailed. Apple has been ordered to make changes and they have fought each and every one for years now. I honestly hope they lose it all.
@Nathan_RETRO: Yeah, I agree that Apple has pushed it so far that they are just going to be slapped down. If I could pick an end result, I'd rather have what I outlined, but I'd take them losing it all over the current state.
