Move over, Apple: Meet the alternative app stores coming to the EU

Tried installing it here in Switzerland but we’re not included. I wanted to check out an app only available there for controlling qbittorrent remotely - a class of apps apple doesn’t allow in their store.

I wish Apple had been forced to support alternative stores in the US. I was hoping that after they were forced to support it in the EU they would open it up for the US as well just for consistency, but that didn't happen. Getting Delta and Bigpemu on the iPhone in the US is definitely a win, but I just wish that there were more options here.

Of course, I could just buy an Android phone, and I might after my current iPhone breaks, but my last Android (the Pixel 7 Pro) was so terrible that I have to admit that the idea of going back gives me some anxiety. I guess I just want to have my cake and eat it to.

The hypocritical aspect to the U.S. DOJ's efforts to force this on Apple is that they also wanted to ban TikTok. But banning an application is only possible BECAUSE Apple has control of the sole app store. Good luck banning anything when there are Chinese and Russian app stores online.

And of course that raises the other core problem with the TikTok hysteria: Nobody has ever stated what data TikTok is allegedly stealing, or even CAN steal given Apple's sandboxing. And yet these numpties are so convinced that it is or can be going on that they're willing to ban the app despite Apple's review. So now they want apps running around WITHOUT Apple's review?

Apple lies to developers and judges about its app store, and developers are legitimately aggrieved parties. And Apple has really asked for the raft of crap it has gotten in return for its monumental douchebaggery concerning external payments.

But to force random app stores on Apple while hysterically going on about "data theft" by vetted apps ranks as, well, par for Congress's technical ignorance and complete lack of critical thinking.