> Why do you get to run a business off it for free?

So Microsoft did all of this on Windows (or Apple itself for that matter for macOS) due to entirely altruistic reasons?

Also platforms need developers a whole lot more than developers need specific platforms. You can always go and works at a bank or something. Apple would be skewed with no 3-rd party developers they always knew it.

> They’re also operating all the servers. Your $100 does not cover it. It’s a symbiotic relationship.

Maybe the ads on the app store would more than cover it? Not only do you need to pay 30% you also have to pay extra for placement so that Apple wouldn’t put your competitors apps at the top of the results when users search for your app?