Posted on 03/25/2024 10:17:01 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
The behemoth that is Apple Inc. finds itself in the crosshairs of the U.S. Department of Justice. On March 21, 2024, the DoJ filed a blockbuster antitrust lawsuit accusing the iPhone maker of unlawfully monopolizing the smartphone market through exclusionary and anticompetitive conduct. Joined by a coalition of state attorneys general, the government’s 88-page complaint alleges that Apple has wielded its immense power to stifle competition, reduce innovation, and ultimately harm consumers.
At first blush, this may seem like a classic tale of a big tech company finally facing its comeuppance. After all, we’ve seen this story before with Microsoft in the 1990s. But as with most antitrust cases, the reality is far more nuanced. Let’s unpack the key issues at play and examine whether Uncle Sam might have a case.
The Allegations: A Pattern of Anticompetitive Conduct?
The core of the DoJ’s argument is that Apple has engaged in a “broad course of conduct” -- a euphemism for lots of different bad behavior -- to reinforce its stranglehold over the smartphone market. With U.S. market shares exceeding 65% for smartphones overall and 70% for pricier “performance” smartphones, the government contends Apple’s dominance is unassailable.
Notably, the lawsuit doesn’t just point to Apple’s market share as problematic. Instead, it weaves a narrative of how Apple has systematically quashed competitive threats to protect its “smartphone monopoly.” The alleged sins are many:
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
In the government’s telling, these actions reflect a concerted scheme to lock users into Apple’s “walled garden” -- and then charge them monopoly rents for the privilege. By restricting innovative middleware that could make the underlying smartphone hardware less important, the argument goes, Apple prevents the iPhone from becoming a mere commodity.
Anyone who’s survived just fine in life with an Android phone knows this lawsuit is a bogus money-grab by the Biden admin. “Tim Apple” apparently forgot to allocate 10% to the Big Guy
I’m pleased with my walled-off Apple environment, in fact I sought it out as an improvement over android. Apps are designed with Apple hardware in mind, apps (from what I understand) have more stringent security requirements, and everything works within my Apple environment logically and seamlessly.
Uncle Sam should but out and let the market decide (by innovation and competition) decide.
My problem with iPhones is that the batteries are a PITA to replace.
THAT’s the “crime” they need to convicted of.
“{Anyone who’s survived just fine in life with an Android phone knows this lawsuit is a bogus money-grab by the Biden admin. “Tim Apple” apparently forgot to allocate 10% to the Big Guy”
That is how I see it. Someone wants their “cut”. Also, as stated above, let the market decide.
The suit is utter BS.
There is PLENTY of competition to the iPhone.
In fact, I think most smart phones in the US and Europe and Asia...the world...are NOT Apples products.
I wait for the iPhone battery to expand it opens the case for you and the battery is easy to replace
Either that or the government is having trouble hacking into IOS so they want to force changes to make it less secure.
In the XXXXXXX telling, these actions reflect a concerted scheme to lock users into XXXXXXX “walled garden”
XXXXX = Government.
At least with Apple it’s competition and a product you don’t have to buy-—but the audacity of the government pointing a finger at Apple while they’re doing FAR worse by taking our hard earned money, by force and using it against us.
20+years ago the Clinton Regime went after Microsoft blah blah blah...
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2001/sep/08/microsoft.business
Apple does have the single largest phone market share if you’re talking about companies... but the Android market holds a 70-ish% share over the IOS operating system.
I’m not an Apple customer either, but still... why can’t they maintain their own proprietary O/S??
That’s the way I got into my oldest one.....
Except for all the teeny-tiny screws and connectors, all was straightforward.
Guess I’ll wait for the newer hand-me-down units to blow the glass off the metal lower case before they get a new battery.
“ Let’s unpack the key issues at play…”
1. Cook and Apple failed to pay the Big Guy enough.
Someone forgot to pass up to the Big Guy.
Look how it worked for Dish Networks. A nearly 10 year old case dropped after generous donations to Biden.
Ditto, here.
Loyal Apple customers since 1982. My wife worked there in that era for ten years managing software licensing. We’ve owned many, many Apple products back to the Apple 2.
The evolution to where “it all just works” is incredible.
Under what antitrust law is Apple being prosecuted...The Sherman Act or something else?
Utterly ridiculous.
Apple took the App Store idea from “Chumby”, an internet connected alarm clock with apps and an app store they and others submitted apps to.
Altruistic, open Chumby company didn’t pursue.
On the first item:
“Blocking “super apps” and cloud gaming services that could reduce dependence on iPhones.”
Nonsense. There are a number of successful cloud gaming services that do not require an Apple device or service (just for instance Amazon, Xbox and Playstation).
On the second item:
“Degrading the functionality of third-party messaging apps, smartwatches, and digital wallets.”
The first part of that may or may not be true. I know on my Samsgin phone wich uses the Android system I can use the messaging app the Goodle/Android provides, or I can use a different one supplied by Samsung itself. I do not know what the situation is with the iPhone.
As for smart watches, there are many on the market supplied by various makers and Apple has no monopoly on them.
As for “digital wallets” we have again an item where Apple is not alone in that market. Various banks and others are providing digital wallets that do not need an Apple device.
As for the last two items:
“Denying access to key APIs and hardware components to hinder cross-platform technologies......”Imposing onerous fees and taxes on app developers to access the iOS ecosystem.”
Why should Apple not protect the proprietary environment of its own products?
I thought cook and apple were dem donors
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.