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The wholesale lawsuit , conjointly file with the attorneys oecumenical of 16 states and the District of Columbia , center in the first place on the iPhone and controversial practices like the company ’s palisade - off approaching to app sales . The Apple Watch gets some face fourth dimension in the filing , as well .
The suit justifiedly notes that the Apple Watch is “ only compatible with the iPhone ” — a longstanding complaint among Android users concerned in beak up what is far and aside the grocery store share loss leader .
“ So , ” the filing continues , “ if Apple can steer a user towards buying an Apple Watch , it becomes more costly for that user to buy a different form of smartphone because doing so requires the user to abandon their costly Apple Watch and purchase a Modern , Android - compatible smartwatch . ”
The filing goes on to to reference the appeal of “ grouchy - platform smartwatches , ” which it lay claim , “ can reduce iPhone users ’ dependence on Apple ’s proprietary hardware and computer software . ” There ’s no doubt that a big piece of Apple ’s ecosystem play is compelling drug user to baffle with its own hardware across a range of product lines . That ’s an important while of the “ just put to work ” ethos .
Apple is not , however , alone in ensuring that sure functionality only operate as stated with first - party hardware . This has become an increasingly all important piece of subsidiary product like smartwatches and Bluetooth headphones . One important difference , though , is that the majority of the non - Apple handset out in the world launch the same operating system , affording an contribute level of cross - manufacturer functionality .
Apple sued by DOJ over iPhone monopoly claims
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The filing cite an internal message from an Apple VP of Product Marketing , noting that the watch ’s limited compatibility , “ may help prevent iPhone customers from switch . ” The suit mainly discuss the Apple Watch in footing of its sexual intercourse to iPhone sale , though it does impeach the caller of “ limiting third - party admission to new and improved genus Apis for smartwatch functionality .
The Apple Watch has historically been even more prevalent in its respective family than the iPhone in the globular market . Should the DOJ ’s courting force the company to open Apple Watch functionality , it would not only define watch - base iPhone sale , it would also potentially start the gimmick to Android users , which , in go , could have a positive encroachment on sale .
The writer of the filing also got in a short dig against the Watch ’s origination ( and , perhaps , a nod to Pebble ) , writing that the company , “ re-create the estimation of a smartwatch from third - political party developers . ”
For more on Apple ’s antimonopoly lawsuit , check here :
