The Digital Markets Act (DML) of the European Union (EU) has caused significant and important changes in the structure of Apple. A few months ago, users residing in the EU had the possibility of installing third-party app stores, to avoid the monopolistic practices of the App Store that, according to the EU, Apple was practicing. However, some of these stores were not free since they had to pay a series of fees to Apple. One of the best known is Friend AltStore, whose annual contribution was 1.50 dollars. However, AltStore Pal became completely free after a grant (Mega Grant) by Epic Games.
Epic Games Boosts AltStore Pal With Grant: It’s Now Free
The new market laws that regulate much of technology and its antitrust practices are included in the European Union’s Digital Markets Act and all large companies must comply with it. As we have commented, AltStore Pal is one of the third-party app stores available for installation on iOS and iPadOS in the European Union. However, until a few days ago The cost of its installation was 1.50 dollars per year in the form of a subscription to be able to pay for the Apple Core Technology Fee, which requires developers for each installation of the store on devices.
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However, AltStore Pal received a grant, called “Megrant”, by Epic Games who terminated this subscription and becomes completely free. Typically, companies like Epic Games dedicate some of their capital to investing in unfunded technology projects that can be useful. From the offices of Epic Games, and knowing the background Between the company and Apple, they decided to invest in AltStore Pal to make it a free third-party app store:
Epic MegaGrants are investments Epic Games makes to sponsor the development of exciting projects that would otherwise lack the funding to fully become a reality. They’re designed specifically for small teams, solo developers, and innovators who are using our technology to bring bold, exciting, and incredibly creative dreams to life.
This was announced by the developers of AltStore Pal in their official twitter account. They assured that part of this investment would be dedicated to paying Apple’s basic technology costs and thus converting the store into a free and subscription-free system. On the other hand, The subscription will be canceled automatically. In addition, AltStore Pal Promised ‘Token of Appreciation’ to Subscribers who have so far paid the $1.50 that the service costs annually. We will see what this gratitude consists of.
GOOD NEWS EU 🇪🇺 For innovation in app distribution, Epic Games has awarded us a MegaGrant that we plan to use to cover Apple’s core technology costs going forward – and we won’t take it for granted!
What does this mean? AltStore PAL is now FREE — no subscription required 🎉 pic.twitter.com/JSJo3FdhBx
— AltStore.io (@altstoreio) August 14, 2024
Therefore, an additional chapter is added to the virtual battle between Epic Games and Apple after the long dispute over the removal of Fortnite from the App Store. Recall that a few days ago, Epic Games launched its own app store through which Fortnite could be installed, years after its removal from the App Store, in the EU.
