Quote Originally Posted by dilettante View Post
As far as I know the "app store" is the only distribution option except for a mechansim being talked about for enterprise customers.http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/
How sad Microsoft is drawing inspiration from one of the worst (from the developer's point of view) business strategies adopted by Apple.

The Apple's App Store is not considered a case of monopoly abuse simply because Apple does not have the monopoly of operating systems. I'm not sure the European Commission will not intervene if Microsoft adopts the same distribution system, which obliges developers to give MS a certain fee out of each application sold.

I have recently started developing software for the Mac using Lazarus and, with some other developers, have decided to inform the EC about a presumed monopoly abuse perpetrated by Apple:

http://www.lazarus.freepascal.org/in...c,16799.0.html

Particularly, the next version of the OS for the Mac (Mountain Lion) will be shipped with the default option which prevents unsigned apps from being installed.

In my opinion, this is unfair competition against independent software developers and the App Store does not differ much.

It breaks my heart to hear that MS is following Apple's money-hungry policy.