On the web, if you click "launch" 3x and kill the pop-up, Zoom will then present a link for its web-based client.
And https://meet.jit.si/ has been a great open source alternative that you can roll out on your own server if desired.
The idea that APIs should always be available to either nobody or everybody simply ignores the reality of how software is built.
Zoom gets to be a partner in this because they had an ‘edge’ already in terms of having good product market fit and a huge customer base. That’s what makes them a good parter to help develop the api.
I could today create a simple video chat app, but it would be silly for Apple to make me a partner in their development process because I know nothing about the users of video chat and have no customers.
There is no benefit to the world in me just cloning Zoom, so access to a small feature refinement makes no difference.
Generally being one of the best at what you do gives you an edge because people value your experience and want to work with you.
That is fair.
> There is no benefit to the world in me just cloning Zoom
There is no benefit in preventing you from using these API. What if you clone Zoom, with a better business model and/or making it open source?
Or if you create a product that finds an unforeseen application to these new APIs? Your feedback is valuable too.
The issue is that Apple can pick and choose whoever they want which is anti-competitive. It's certainly not the first time they've done this, but it's a shitty business tactic.
Everyone should have the same opportunities.
[1]: https://gist.github.com/dacruz21/dd2480f195f5b48a9ab7af8b41c...
[2]: https://9to5mac.com/2019/07/10/zoom-apple-macos-update/
