Core Viewpoint - Apple accuses the European Commission of employing "political delaying tactics" to intentionally postpone the implementation of its new app policy, creating a pretext for investigations and potential fines [1][2]. Group 1: Apple and Setapp - The European Commission is reportedly preparing to blame Apple for the upcoming closure of the third-party app market Setapp, which is scheduled to shut down next month [1][2]. - The developer of Setapp, MacPaw, stated that the decision to close is due to "evolving and complex business terms that do not fit with Setapp's current business model" [1][2]. Group 2: Revenue Model and Developer Relations - The third-party app market serves as an alternative to Apple's built-in App Store, from which Apple generates revenue by charging fees on both the third-party app stores and the apps and digital goods listed on them [1][2]. - Apple announced last year a plan to shift to a 5% revenue share model, which is considered more aligned with developers' economic interests compared to the current fee structure [1][2]. Group 3: Regulatory Response - The European Commission is expected to issue a statement regarding Setapp's closure, indicating that "Apple has not implemented adjustments to address key issues with its business terms, including their complexity" [1][2]. - In response, Apple claims that the delay in implementing the new pricing mechanism is due to the European Commission's obstruction [1][2].

Core Insights - The EU's Digital Markets Act has led to Apple losing its exclusive position for iOS app downloads in the EU, initially celebrated by developers who hoped to escape the "Apple tax" [1] - However, two years later, the anticipated fragmentation of the iOS ecosystem has not occurred, and third-party iOS app stores are struggling to survive, with MacPaw announcing the closure of its Setapp Mobile by February 16, 2026 [3] Group 1 - MacPaw's confidence in Setapp Mobile stemmed from its success on the Mac platform, where it offers a subscription service for $9.99 per month, providing access to a curated selection of popular applications [5] - Despite favorable conditions, Setapp Mobile only lasted for a year and a half due to Apple's "Core Technology Fee," which increased costs for third-party app stores [5][7] - Developers are required to pay €0.5 for each app installation after the first million installations, making it financially burdensome for popular apps to use third-party stores [7] Group 2 - Apple's Core Technology Fee is similar to Unity's per-use charge, raising costs for developers and making third-party app stores less appealing compared to the App Store [7] - The requirement to use Apple's in-app purchase (IAP) system for apps with in-app purchases adds further costs, even if the 30% commission is avoided [7] - The real threat to Apple comes from external payment options, as seen in Japan's Mobile Software Competition Law, which allows developers to offer payment methods outside of the App Store [9] Group 3 - External payment options enable developers to benefit from the App Store's ecosystem while avoiding the associated costs, creating a competitive advantage [9] - User trust and established habits play a significant role in app acquisition, making it difficult for new platforms like Setapp Mobile to gain traction [9]