Famous iPhone Hacker Says He Is Not Switching Back To Apple's Device Over Its App Store 'Tantrum'

Famous iPhone hacker George Hotz has sworn off Apple Inc.'s AAPL smartphone following the Tim Cook-led company's recent changes in its App Store policies in the European Union.

What Happened: Hotz, also known as "geohot" has announced that he has switched to rival Samsung Electronics Co Ltd.'s SSNLF Galaxy Z Fold 5, and that he doesn't think he will switch back to Apple's iPhones.

"I’ve been using a Z Fold 5 for 3 months now. Apps from websites, ad block, background YouTube, WebGPU, termux…it’s way better. A phone that doesn’t feel rented. Doubt I’ll switch back."

Hotz is known for his "blackra1n" iPhone jailbreak and also for his famous PlayStation 3 hack that resulted in a lawsuit from Sony.

See Also: US Supreme Court Just Saved Apple $503M After Putting An End To A 14-Year-Long Legal Battle

Hotz called Apple a "bunch of clowns with their App Store, and now with the PWA tantrum."

Apple are a bunch of 🤡 with their App Store, and now with the PWA tantrum.

I've been using a Z Fold 5 for 3 months now. Apps from websites, ad block, background YouTube, WebGPU, termux…it's way better. A phone that doesn't feel rented.

Doubt I'll switch back.

— George Hotz 🌑 (@realGeorgeHotz) February 21, 2024

Hotz is referring to Apple's recent decisions for EU users. More specifically, even though Apple complied with the EU's demands to allow sideloading of apps via third-party app stores and also allow alternative payment methods, developers could end up paying millions of dollars to Apple.

Apple has purposefully changed how progressive web apps (PWA) work for EU users. Citing security concerns, Apple hindered their functionality.

Why It Matters: Apple has been criticized by several leading tech personalities, including Spotify Technology SA SPOT CEO Daniel Ek as well as Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, apart from Meta Platforms Inc.'s META Mark Zuckerberg as well as Microsoft Corp.'s MSFT Xbox President Sarah Bond.

Apple has also been at the center of another controversy – Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney accused the iPhone maker of non-compliance with court orders related to alternative payment options for apps and games on iOS.

Critics have also called it the “enemy #1” for its App Store-related decisions.

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Photo by James Yarema on Unsplash