Isn't Google Play a Monopoly?

[JesterMagic]

I find it hard to believe that app stores like Apple iTunes and Google Play are not consider monopolies by the government. For each phone OS (Android, iOS, Windows) there really is only one available option and it is always the only one installed on the phone.

While most of the services these app stores provides are helpful (apps are vetted for inappropriate behaviors, app reviews) the companies have complete control over where the apps are listed and they charge a huge fee of 30% for all purchases made through these apps.

I know some companies have tried to bypass the app store by offering HTML 5 versions of their apps through the phones browsers but since these app stores are the go to place for "apps" none of them succeeded. The companies always reverted back to using the app store so there software can be found by their customers.

Now I don't mind a company making a profit by offering a service but taking 30% from each purchase has to be price gouging. If I were an app developer (which I am not) I would be pretty angry about this.

I figured some governments would be jumping all over this like they did back when Microsoft's Internet Explorer was considered a monopoly.

[martinibuster]

No. Google Play is not a monopoly. Samsung, LG and other manufacturers decide what apps come pre-loaded. Android is open source. Hardware manufacturers are free to do whatever they want with it.

[tangor]

These app stores are more liked walled gardens than monopolies. I doubt any challenge on the theory of monopoly could be applied.

[JesterMagic]

Is there really any decision though? What other competing options are there? Yes I know Samsung has their own version of a store and a few other companies do as well but the number of users and apps they have compared to Google play makes them statistically insignificant.

If a developer wants a chance of their app being successful with the general public (B2B would be different) then the ONLY option they have is to list it on Google Play (or iTunes for Apple users).

[tangor]

then the ONLY option they have is to list it on Google Play (or iTunes for Apple users)

This speaks to the size of a marketplace, not a monopoly.

[engine]

I see many companies trying to get users to download apps direct from their websites.

However, you have to face it, if you're on your phone, the convenience of opening the store for Apple's App Store or Google's Play is much easier than searching and locating a site.

There are, of course, other app search tools out there, but users just don't know or even think about it.

[martinibuster]

That's not a monopoly. A monopoly is defined by it's exclusivity. Exclusive means competition is literally shut out. Remember AT&T before it was broken up? That was a monopoly. At&T was a single phone company that owned all the telephone infrastructure.

The problem is not Google Play. The problem is that you see a closed door. You see Google Play and you see a monolith that can't be got around, can't be scaled, cannot be overcome.

Google Play does not have to be scaled. Google Play does not have to be overcome. The door is wide open.

Open your mind to possibilities. Use your imagination to think of promotional strategies.

Mark Zuckerburg could have looked at MySpace and thought,nah, a social network has already been done. Can't compete.

Justin Bieber could have thought, I'm just a crappy little boy in some little town called Stratford in Ontario, Canada. Who's going to watch my videos on YouTube? Seriously, how can a little boy, literally a little boy, in Stratford, Ontario compete against the music industry in Hollywood, California? Can't be done?

If you really want to promote it, brainstorm it outside of the Google Play box. App Search tools? Use your imagination. Get OUTSIDE of the App Search tool box.

[engine]

Oh, I forgot to add about app indexing, meaning that your app can now be in the SERPs.

Google is at it, and bing is at it [webmasterworld.com...]

[not2easy]

I guess GooglePlay works the same as the AppStore in that there are websites with information and support and demos and FAQ's for most of the apps found in there. The apps are often found outside the AppStore and then downloaded via the AppStore. Or you may find it at the AppStore and decide to buy by visiting the website for that app.

The AppStore lets you install most purchased and free apps to any of your family devices. It handles update notifications and installs. It handles payment processing. I see it as a service more than a monopoly.

You can still find apps outside the AppStore and install them if you want.