Users buy Apple phones (++aapl_profit), they browse or search the app store, they find something, and they spend a few more bucks on an app (++aapl_profit). Users remain blissfully unaware of the full situation or lost potential. No major user complaints and we can only speculate about lost potential Apple profits.
Sadly, I think Apple serves most users best by simply ensuring the "top" choices during an app store browse or search are good enough that users don't ever have to search deeper and really feel the pain of the App Store situation. And the top choices are often quite good.
My conclusion is Apple just doesn't feel enough pain to solve the discoverability problem that hurts developers (especially new developers).
Oh sure, and as long as devs aren't leaving (they aren't) apple is likely not doing anything "wrong".
They have unashamedly said their order of doing things is
1. Good for apple
2. Good for users
3. Good for devs (distant third too)
They have been nice lately though. I'm really excited about the App Store analytics and all that entails. It's really nice that they've finally added that for us.
Why should they be ashamed of that order? How would you reorganize it? I would say that ordering is pretty much required given the fact that they are a publicly listed consumer technology/software company.
I have no problems with it at all, and I think that is the order it should be. I know a lot of devs would prefer to be higher on the food chain though, or at least it seems that way sometimes.
Sadly, I think Apple serves most users best by simply ensuring the "top" choices during an app store browse or search are good enough that users don't ever have to search deeper and really feel the pain of the App Store situation. And the top choices are often quite good.
My conclusion is Apple just doesn't feel enough pain to solve the discoverability problem that hurts developers (especially new developers).