But that’s the whole point: Apple spent billions of dollars to create a set of phones that are good, built a strong OS ($$$$), and advertised like crazy to get it to where it is now.

The sale of the phones is not enough to cover that, plus all the customer service (they are famous for being very good and accommodating with their support & warranty). Their plan has been to have a store to actually make the bulk of the money.

Now, years and years after they continuously spent $$$$ to get it to a good place, developers are saying “but but but I want this whole thing for free”. If they want to, go make yourself a phone, an OS, and all the rest, don’t force them to changed their business plans.

I’m a developer too, and I fully understand that 30% is a bunch, but I wouldn’t try to force them to open it up to me for basically free