Pissed At Apple

[Adam Blue]

It's a pretty big deal if these guys (http://stevenf.tumblr.com/post/152606616/important-note-references-to-i-in-this-post) are pissed at Apple. Apple is only paving the way for Android (and other open handsets).

It's like socialism on a mobile device.

People love to chalk up posts like this to “whiny iPhone developers”. Well, I’m not an iPhone developer. I don’t write iPhone software precisely because the app store process is so stacked against us. When I first complained about it, I got a lot of comments: “Well, if you don’t like the app store, don’t develop for it.” So, I don’t.

EDIT: Panic was the company Apple went to and asked them to develop iTunes. They turned them down.

And from a buddy of mine that is a developer:

Him turning away from the iPhone and Apple like this is exceedingly detrimental to the platform. The likes of Gus Mueller, Michael Tsai, Mike Lee and Wil Shipley (just to name a few awesome Mac developers) all take his opinion very seriously - and certainly wouldn't commit serious development time and money to the platform without his blessing

[danhoo]

You might want to let your buddy know that Mike Lee works for Apple now.

Completely unrelated -- after checking out Panic's website, how did Panic get the rights to make & sell Noby Noby Boy T-Shirts? Isn't that Namco property?

[Wraith]

Is Apple also still having problems paying developers their app store earnings (for no apparent reason)?

[J Arcane]

And this is why I will never own an iPhone.

Open platforms beat arbitrary shitholing any day of the week in my book.

Unfortunately, thanks to Apple, none of the other platforms are truly open out of the box either, because they all smelled the power that is the ridiculous "App Store". Even the supposedly open source Android has to be "rooted" to get at the full workings of the machine.

Thanks Apple. Thank you for fucking ruining the handheld market for everyone, you miserable gang of twats.

[jeffbax]

Eh, there are plenty of phone options out there. I'm glad the hissy its are being thrown, and hope the competition is enough to fix Apple's dictatorship... still far and away the best mobile platform I've ever seen.

[Banacek]

FTFA:

Switching to a Palm Pre for voice and light data usage. I looked at the Pre and the G1. The Pre is (very) slightly better at what I need. They are both lousy in comparison to the iPhone.

Hold on, I'm busy sending a pic message from my G1. G1 is lousy compared to the iPhone? Says who? I used both, and I wouldn't give up my G1 any day of the week. The $40+ less a month doesn't hurt either. Just because the G1 isn't flooded with shitty apps no one really uses more than once doesn't mean it's a bad phone.

Back up your shitty claims if you want me to take you seriously.

[Banacek]

Eh, there are plenty of phone options out there. I'm glad the hissy its are being thrown, and hope the competition is enough to fix Apple's dictatorship... still far and away the best mobile platform I've ever seen.

Apple teamed up with AT&T, thus negating anything good about the platform. What good is a phone if you can't make a call?

[J Arcane]

Apple teamed up with AT&T, thus negating anything good about the platform. What good is a phone if you can't make a call?
Shit, I can't even get one here even if I wanted to, and even if I could there's no way in fuck I'd put up with AT&T's rates. Their iPhone plan is even a seperate, even MORE expensive rate than their standard ridicularity.

[Banacek]

Shit, I can't even get one here even if I wanted to, and even if I could there's no way in fuck I'd put up with AT&T's rates. Their iPhone plan is even a seperate, even MORE expensive rate than their standard ridicularity.

Yeah, it's a bunch of bullshit. There is no justification with their rates, though I'm sure someone is going to come in here and tell us how great it is to pay so much more money a month for no good reason.

[Mot Wakorb]

And this is why I will never own an iPhone.

Open platforms beat arbitrary shitholing any day of the week in my book.

Unfortunately, thanks to Apple, none of the other platforms are truly open out of the box either, because they all smelled the power that is the ridiculous "App Store". Even the supposedly open source Android has to be "rooted" to get at the full workings of the machine.

Thanks Apple. Thank you for fucking ruining the handheld market for everyone, you miserable gang of twats.

I'd actually place this more on Sprint/Verizon/AT&T/yada more than Apple to start. Not intending to defend Apple, but the closing of platforms begins at the carrier level, not at the phone level. Networks place controls for a reason so they can make as much of a profit as they can. So while Apple does limit a lot about their platform, make sure you give some of the credit where credit is due.

[J Arcane]

I'd actually place this more on Sprint/Verizon/AT&T/yada more than Apple to start. Not intending to defend Apple, but the closing of platforms begins at the carrier level, not at the phone level. Networks place controls for a reason so they can make as much of a profit as they can. So while Apple does limit a lot about their platform, make sure you give some of the credit where credit is due.
A fair cop, but there's other platforms, sadly dwindling because of lack of flashy widgets and pretty colors, that technically don't hate freedom, namely the original Palm OS and Windows Mobile.

Frankly, I think the real motivation for the Pre, given what they've shown us so far, is because they want to lock that shit down this time around.

Cell companies may've seeded the idea in their greedy little brains, but you can't tell me these companies aren't looking at the prospect of such monopoly and absolutely salivating at the opportunity.

I'm wondering how long before Microsoft gets in on it, dumps WinMob, and makes the "Xbox/Zune Phone" or some shit, with an all XBLA/Zune Store based app distribution. They already know what controlling the means of production gets them, they run a console company for god's sake.

[Zrikz]

I read a news article about motorolla releasing an android phone for verizon by this October, I shall try and find the link for it.

[shodan2020]

Completely unrelated -- after checking out Panic's website, how did Panic get the rights to make & sell Noby Noby Boy T-Shirts? Isn't that Namco property?

Namco kinda hired them to make and sell Noby Noby Boy T-shirts.

[muddi900]

I hate Apple's closing down of the iPhone, but seriously, nobody should call Windows Mobile as a good OS for smart phones. You forget about the openness of the platform when you have to sacrifice a goat just to go to contacts.

Oh, and good news for apple haters:
http://lifehacker.com/5327648/fcc-launches-inquiry-into-apples-ban-on-google-voice-apps

[Chris_D]

I'm pretty happy with the App Store and what it offers. I don't see it as a negative thing that some developers will be trying their hand elsewhere. It's just good business to consider all your options, especially if one isn't panning out. With the install base of iPhones and iPods, I'm sure we'll be seeing tons of good stuff for the life of these devices.

As for ruining the handheld market, hyperbole much? There will always be other options particularly if Apple is apparently pissing off so many people.

[TrackZero]

Thanks Apple. Thank you for fucking ruining the handheld market for everyone, you miserable gang of twats.

Actually, you can thank Bill Clinton when he fucked everyone over by signing the 1996 Telecommunications Act (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommunications_Act_of_1996). It's what made the Telcos the bullshit they are today and all their practices have continued to follow the same pattern since.

[DarkDay]

And this is why I will never own an iPhone.

Open platforms beat arbitrary shitholing any day of the week in my book.

Unfortunately, thanks to Apple, none of the other platforms are truly open out of the box either, because they all smelled the power that is the ridiculous "App Store". Even the supposedly open source Android has to be "rooted" to get at the full workings of the machine.

Thanks Apple. Thank you for fucking ruining the handheld market for everyone, you miserable gang of twats.

I have an Iphone for one of my shops, Its pretty at first, I dl a bunch of apps, bought the guys at one of my shops iphones, he cracked it, reaps the benefits..
The phone to is useless. Like I said, its fun, pretty but its a toy, my BB is in constant use as its business friendly and makes everything instant and easy, also the battery lasts more than 2 hours.....Still, I own one, well, in a sense I own 4.

[Narradisall]

Pfft, lucky iphones are with O2 here, by far the best mobile operator I've ever used in the UK. Sucks to be stuck with AT&T though....

I do still agree that Apple should stop being such assholes with how they let people use the bloody things. Also itunes is the worst piece of software.

[bapenguin]

I've had AT&T for 9 years now and never had a problem with them or their service.

My wife and I both have an iPhone, have an obscene amount of minutes, unlimited texting and it's like $130 a month - of which $20 of it is taxes.

[jeffbax]

Just because the G1 isn't flooded with shitty apps no one really uses more than once doesn't mean it's a bad phone.

Aside from a few toys, all the G1 really has are shitty apps (http://jerakeen.org/notes/2009/07/hard-to-like-android/) in comparison to the polished iPhone ones. It just feels clunky in comparison (both physically, and interface wise)

Oh, and good news for apple haters:
http://lifehacker.com/5327648/fcc-launches-inquiry-into-apples-ban-on-google-voice-apps
No, that's good news for Apple fans. There are clearly some major deficiencies with the App store. Serious problems that need addressing and it'll be good for the FCC to try to investigate. A good iPhone app generally blows away anything similar on another phone, this is almost undeniably true regardless of how many gold-rush apps have come up for obvious reasons on a hot platform... and all of the App stores problems haven't stopped a flood of extremely good, and innovative apps. This should just be encouragement of what will happen when this shit finally gets addressed for once.

I want the G1, Pre to compete because they're the closest thing that can even begin to try, and it will push Apple harder. Right now, they just fall short in spite of the lockdown on the iPhone. Thats not to say they are "bad", they just aren't the "best" and a few denials doesn't change that, as much as I'd like to see Google Voice come natively.

[Stmfuller]

This is a problem with the industry as a whole. We're so completely locked down as consumers that we have almost no rights at all.
Seriously, I'm this close to canceling my cell plan and just buying a wi-fi device to leech off of open internet connections whenever I need it.
We do need one phone...but no more than that.

[Mot Wakorb]

I've had AT&T for 9 years now and never had a problem with them or their service.

My wife and I both have an iPhone, have an obscene amount of minutes, unlimited texting and it's like $130 a month - of which $20 of it is taxes.

Those of us don't have the luxury of living near/in a major city can't say the same. AT&T's network is a steaming pile of shit. GSM in the US is a joke.

[Adam Blue]

This is a problem with the industry as a whole. We're so completely locked down as consumers that we have almost no rights at all.
Seriously, I'm this close to canceling my cell plan and just buying a wi-fi device to leech off of open internet connections whenever I need it.
We do need one phone...but no more than that.

Just use an unlocked device on a network and you're fine. I was using unlocked devices on ATT's 3G, so my unlimited data was $20, at the full broad-band speed. I used HTC and Nokia devices, the best being the N95. I'm now using AT&T's W760i unlocked and debranded on T-mobile.

GSM in the US is a joke. It may just be specific to your area, but it is far from a joke.

[Banacek]

I want the G1, Pre to compete because they're the closest thing that can even begin to try, and it will push Apple harder. Right now, they just fall short in spite of the lockdown on the iPhone. Thats not to say they are "bad", they just aren't the "best" and a few denials doesn't change that, as much as I'd like to see Google Voice come natively.

My point is that if you don't like the G1, if you have complaints about it, list them out. The mentioned article (in the first post) just says it sucks, and give no reasons. That's just plain fanboy bias.

The article you mentioned is a step in the right direction. G1 is slow, I totally agree with. Some of the other issues aren't really issues. I sync my G1 with iTunes every day. The headphone jack is annoyed, but at least they fixed it now so you get one in the box. For me, the keyboard is a necessity, because I can't use an on-screen keyboard for shit.

[Banacek]

I've had AT&T for 9 years now and never had a problem with them or their service.

My wife and I both have an iPhone, have an obscene amount of minutes, unlimited texting and it's like $130 a month - of which $20 of it is taxes.

9 years plan != just signing up plan.

[jeffbax]

My point is that if you don't like the G1, if you have complaints about it, list them out. The mentioned article (in the first post) just says it sucks, and give no reasons. That's just plain fanboy bias.

The article you mentioned is a step in the right direction. G1 is slow, I totally agree with. Some of the other issues aren't really issues. I sync my G1 with iTunes every day. The headphone jack is annoyed, but at least they fixed it now so you get one in the box. For me, the keyboard is a necessity, because I can't use an on-screen keyboard for shit.

I believe the major complaint was covered. It's a clunky experience compared to the iPhone (but then what phone isn't?). That's my instinctual reaction to using it, and I know three people at work with G1s so I've tried them quite a few times.

[Alatheia]

Yeah, it's a bunch of bullshit. There is no justification with their rates, though I'm sure someone is going to come in here and tell us how great it is to pay so much more money a month for no good reason.

WTF are you talking about? Few years ago when my mom finally decided to get a cell phone I switched to AT&T because the people she would be calling were mostly on AT&T. I get the exact same things I got with T-Mobile for the same price before the monthly discount I get for working at a community college.

I've had AT&T for 9 years now and never had a problem with them or their service.

My wife and I both have an iPhone, have an obscene amount of minutes, unlimited texting and it's like $130 a month - of which $20 of it is taxes.

inorite, the plans are very comparable to all of the other cell phone providers.

[muddi900]

This is a problem with the industry as a whole. We're so completely locked down as consumers that we have almost no rights at all.
Seriously, I'm this close to canceling my cell plan and just buying a wi-fi device to leech off of open internet connections whenever I need it.
We do need one phone...but no more than that.

This. I change my position after reading.

Whenever I judge the iPhone, I judge it against phones that are made for the international market. By international I mean everywhere from Nepal To Argentina, and the like, where there are no carrier locked phones for people. Which is wrong. In fact, the carrier locking thing in America is draconian, even when compared to europe. iPhone is just another phone in the market, apple did what they did because that's what their "sellers", AT&T wanted.

I believe the major complaint was covered. It's a clunky experience compared to the iPhone (but then what phone isn't?)

All those cheap nokia phones(the 1100/1200/1600) are snappier and better phones than the iPhone. Yes I have tested.

[Banacek]

I believe the major complaint was covered. It's a clunky experience compared to the iPhone (but then what phone isn't?). That's my instinctual reaction to using it, and I know three people at work with G1s so I've tried them quite a few times.

Be honest, you own one of these, don't you:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Pippinfront.jpg/800px-Pippinfront.jpg

[Banacek]

$130 a month total for two lines with the data plan, unlimited texts and a high number of minutes? Someone please produce a link where they can prove this.

[Banacek]

I should mention that AT&Ts prices have gotten better over the years, but they are still on the high side. I should also mention that even if AT&T was the cheaper alternative, there isn't a chance in the world that I would ever give them a cent of my money.

[jeffbax]

Be honest, you own one of these, don't you:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Pippinfront.jpg/800px-Pippinfront.jpg

That'd be a hell of a collectors item.

[Adam Blue]

I should mention that AT&Ts prices have gotten better over the years, but they are still on the high side. I should also mention that even if AT&T was the cheaper alternative, there isn't a chance in the world that I would ever give them a cent of my money.

Best 3G network with better compatible phones (Nokias, Sony Ericssons, etc...)...only thing better is Europe GSM. Well...those companies are European.

[Stmfuller]

This. I change my position after reading.

Whenever I judge the iPhone, I judge it against phones that are made for the international market. By international I mean everywhere from Nepal To Argentina, and the like, where there are no carrier locked phones for people. Which is wrong. In fact, the carrier locking thing in America is draconian, even when compared to europe. iPhone is just another phone in the market, apple did what they did because that's what their "sellers", AT&T wanted.
You're lucky. Here's we're forced to sign one-sided contracts where we, the user have no rights beyond pay your money and be happy you're so lucky to be on "our" network. Some networks take it even further by locking their phones done to the point where there are no free apps (all verizon "dumb" phones are this way).
It's wonderful to know that the apple experience is so terrible. At least I don't feel so bad with verizon now.

Yeah, the more I think about it the further away I want to get away from it.

[Zero]

$130 a month total for two lines with the data plan, unlimited texts and a high number of minutes? Someone please produce a link where they can prove this.

No joke, my girlfriend and I have two iPhones with 700 minutes, data, and 200 texts each for $160.

[Widgetcraft]

...The solution is to not use cell phones. Barring some crazy emergency, there is no fucking reason someone should be bothering me with a phone call when I'm out and about. I'm certainly not going to go out of my way to pay insane rates for the privilege of being inconvenienced by fuckers I don't want to speak to when I'm out shopping.

[Stmfuller]

...The solution is to not use cell phones. Barring some crazy emergency, there is no fucking reason someone should be bothering me with a phone call when I'm out and about. I'm certainly not going to go out of my way to pay insane rates for the privilege of being inconvenienced by fuckers I don't want to speak to when I'm out shopping.

more and more, I'm starting to agree with this

[mister slim]

If the Kindle browser worked better with Twitter I'd be tempted to switch over to a Kindle completely.

[Banacek]

No joke, my girlfriend and I have two iPhones with 700 minutes, data, and 200 texts each for $160.

Seriously, if you have (any!) phone plan with 2+ lines and unlimited data/messages and over 1k minutes that falls under $150 please let us know. That is a great plan and I'll call up T-Mobile and rework my rates. I think Sprint was the closest with their Unlimited plans, but I think their plans got a bit more expensive with the Family plans.

[Scull]

I have Verizon, 1400 minutes, three phones total, one phone with unlimited data, all with unlimited text and it comes in at $140/mo. and I have an additional 20% discount, so I pay a total of $112/mo.

[Adam Blue]

I have Verizon, 1400 minutes, three phones total, one phone with unlimited data, all with unlimited text and it comes in at $140/mo. and I have an additional 20% discount, so I pay a total of $112/mo.

What phones are they? The issue is AT&T is price-gouging on iPhone voice and data, when it isn't necessary (except from a business stand-point, which I applaud).

[Scull]

I have the Env Touch which has the data plan, although it isn't a smart phone/PDA

[Shamrock Jimmy]

...The solution is to not use cell phones. Barring some crazy emergency, there is no fucking reason someone should be bothering me with a phone call when I'm out and about. I'm certainly not going to go out of my way to pay insane rates for the privilege of being inconvenienced by fuckers I don't want to speak to when I'm out shopping.

Some of us have these things called friends, and lives that keep us away from home most of the day.

[Mot Wakorb]

Seriously, if you have (any!) phone plan with 2+ lines and unlimited data/messages and over 1k minutes that falls under $150 please let us know. That is a great plan and I'll call up T-Mobile and rework my rates. I think Sprint was the closest with their Unlimited plans, but I think their plans got a bit more expensive with the Family plans.

Sprint has this - $129/mo 1500 Minutes, unlimited everything else. The wife and I are lucky, since she works for a certain company, we get 24% off on top of that price.