The interesting thing is that, as much as I agree that I don't think Apple should have the ability to demand this, it's not like Apple is "innovating" here when it comes to fees. Back in the days of feature phones, manufacturers and carriers would happily take over 50% of revenue from an app developer. That was just an accepted way of how business was done. You want to be on a phone, you pay out the nose for the privilege.

Apple (and Google) charge much lower fees in comparison. But I do agree that the current situation isn't great. In the days of feature phones, the defining feature (heh) was making calls and perhaps texting. Most people didn't buy them for the (paltry few) apps that were available on some (paltry few) models. The manufacturers and carriers didn't need the apps, really.

But that's not the case anymore. Most people's phones are entertainment platforms primarily, and the "phone" aspects are pretty secondary. While the app-poor iPhone of 2007 was revolutionary for its time, if Apple or Google killed all third-party apps on iOS or Android, phone sales would drop like a rock. Yes, the app developers need the phone platform, but the phone platform really needs the app developers too.

I think it's fine for Apple to get some cut of apps sold through the App Store. I think it's fine for them to get a cut of in-app purchases made through Apple's own IAP system. Those things were not free for Apple to build, and they are not free for Apple to operate, so it's only fair that Apple should charge something for use of them. I think 30% happens to be too much (opinions differ, of course), but I think the "correct" amount is certainly greater than zero.

But I don't think Apple should have a monopoly on iOS app stores, or on iOS in-app payment methods. Customers should be allowed to install things on the phone however they want, and if they install something they bought from some random developer's website, Apple doesn't deserve a cut of that. And if an app allows you to purchase things through the app, I don't think Apple should be allowed to require use of their IAP system, or be allowed to take a cut if a developer chooses to use their own system. I know they have a legal right to do so, but I don't believe it's good for consumers that they can demand this[0].

Until this changes, I'll never own an iPhone (I'm sure Apple doesn't care). As much as Android has its own problems, I'm happy that I can install things from the F-Droid repository, and in the past I've even run alternate ROMs on my phone. Giving up the ability to do all that is a non-starter for me.

[0] On the flip side, I do think that Apple's IAP system, as designed, is actually great for consumers, since it makes sure nothing shady goes on with these purchases, and makes it easy to manage subscriptions without dark patterns confusing people. But I think they should be required to make it the best system for app developers as well, which means much more reasonable pricing, and possibly giving app developers a little more ownership over the customer relationship. If they don't want to do that, that's fine, but then I think they should be required to allow competitors to enter the "in-app payments system" market to give both developers and customers more choice. I'll even concede that Apple should be able to require that apps offer the option of Apple's IAP system if another system is available, but users should be able to decide to use the other system if it offers better prices and they're happy with whatever trade off that entails.