Fuck you some more, Apple.

[J Arcane]

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/20...last-years.ars

Apple's going after HTC, in what is most likely a proxy war against Google's Android OS.

Anyone who ever had any doubt about Apple's willingness to play the Microsoft role when given the power, well, this is what happens when it actually happens.

[Xerxes]

I just like how they went after HTC when it seems like goggle is who the want.

[J Arcane]

Originally Posted by Xerxes

I just like how they went after HTC when it seems like goggle is who the want.

Because they know they have more money than HTC, but they don't have more money than Google.

My bet is the strategy is to pick off the little guys to drive out the hardware support, and then either call it a victory there, or use the precedent to go after Google with a bigger case.

[pomeroy]

You keep your pretty hands off my Droid, Apple.

I mean it.

[Exodus]

I never disliked apple but this...makes me dislike them.

[RandoM51]

Ever get the feeling that somebody doesn't like Apple?

[muddi900]

No company is above patent squatting. People all over the intrawebs were throwing hissy fits about how Apple had turned "evil". Well they were never "good" to begin with. They are just like everyone else.

[Siraris]

They went after HTC in preparation to go after Google.

[Mike Kelehan]

Originally Posted by muddi900

No company is above patent squatting. People all over the intrawebs were throwing hissy fits about how Apple had turned "evil". Well they were never "good" to begin with. They are just like everyone else.

Thank you.

I really don't understand this Apple cult that's built up over iStuff. It used to be cool to like Apple because they were different, standing up to the evil Microsoft. In the smartphone space, though, they're way worse than MS has ever been in the OS space. Way worse.

[muddi900]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelehan

Thank you.

I really don't understand this Apple cult that's built up over iStuff. It used to be cool to like Apple because they were different, standing up to the evil Microsoft. In the smartphone space, though, they're way worse than MS has ever been in the OS space. Way worse.

You see, that's the problem. Their logo has turned into some hipster symbol, so people just assume they conduct their business different than everybody else.

[opsin]

I've hated Apple since iTunes, for their willfulness when it comes to DRM and not improving that UI one jot. And the locked in nature of the iPhone. And the way they behave with their apps store...
It's all behaviour that set me up to not be at all surprised by this announcement; just angered.

[Siraris]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelehan

Thank you.

I really don't understand this Apple cult that's built up over iStuff. It used to be cool to like Apple because they were different, standing up to the evil Microsoft. In the smartphone space, though, they're way worse than MS has ever been in the OS space. Way worse.

Apple are hypocrites

[Xerxes]

Originally Posted by Siraris

Apple are hypocrites

That's awesome.

[muddi900]

The locked in nature of iPhone can be chalked up to the the telco monopoly in america. The fact that Apple wants to carry it over to their iPad, makes it suspect.

[Mike Kelehan]

Originally Posted by muddi900

The locked in nature of iPhone can be chalked up to the the telco monopoly in america.

Then why is there an explicit option to install non-Market applications on my Android phone?

[muddi900]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelehan

Then why is there an explicit option to install non-Market applications on my Android phone?

Because before iPhone, most peoplehad never heard the terms closed platform and walled garden. The reason Android's open and Sprint turns a blind eye to hacking is because they can use it as bullet points. I also pointed out that the carrier jiggerwankery might not be case as I first assumed.

Fact is, cellphones should be sold by consumer electronics outlets, not by service providers. I've said countless times, the SIM card was implemented to move away from carrier-locked phones. You know, everybody criticizes RIAA and the MPAA to cling to obsolete business models and yet all large telcos are still doing business like we all have AMPS phones. The idea of locked phones is something I hadn't even imagined until I imported an iPhone.

"Wait, what do you mean unlock charges? I don't even have a PIN code!"

[Siraris]

Originally Posted by muddi900

The locked in nature of iPhone can be chalked up to the the telco monopoly in america. The fact that Apple wants to carry it over to their iPad, makes it suspect.

The locked nature has to do with Apple, not the carriers. How many companies make Apple computers? Have you followed the battles over the app store? Apple likes to control their products, and has for years, and if Apple said tomorrow "We're releasing an unlocked iPhone in the US" who in the world will be able to stand in their way?

[Mike Kelehan]

Originally Posted by muddi900

Because before iPhone, most peoplehad never heard the terms closed platform and walled garden. The reason Android's open and Sprint turns a blind eye to hacking is because they can use it as bullet points. I also pointed out that the carrier jiggerwankery might not be case as I first assumed.

My Android phone is on T-Mobile. All of the very popular Droids are on Verizon. AT&T is releasing Android phones soon. That means all of the big four are getting on the Android train, despite its open nature. The closed iPhone platform is Apple's doing, period done. I'm not saying AT&T doesn't have a hand in it, or that they're not happy about it, but Apple deserves the great majority of the blame here.

[J Arcane]

What people are forgetting here, is there are two different cellular device markets: regular phones, and smartphones. The former has traditionally been a very closed platform, as while J2ME is an open standard, the devices themselves are often quite locked down when it comes to apps, so the provider can hold a monopoly on apps. The latter on the other hand, has aimed largely at power users who want PC like openness in their hardware, but has generally been a more niche market outside of business.

The iPhone is, in many ways the crossover platform here. To people used to regular J2ME phones, it's a familiar limitation, but to the smartphone crowd it's unacceptable. Its role is in bringing smartphone features and power to the regular phone crowd, and for them, it's an amazing newfrontier.

FOr the rest of us, it's just unacceptable.

PS: typed this from Android.

[Scull]

I loved my Droid and have been cobbling together a few of my own apps for it. As someone once said, when a new technology comes along two things happen with it immediately, porn and playing D&D. My stuff is more on the playing D&D side I love it, and since I have a few players with Droids, they get to try it out too. Can't do that with the one player using the iPhone. Sucks to be him. Couldn't even do it if I were writing an iPhone app. There is no method available on a stock iPhone to run non-market apps. This makes my inner developer cry.

The point here is that I get to throw together anything I want, distribute it how I chose to, and share it amongst those I care to and never once do I have to get approval from Apple to do so, much like any PC, and even Mac.

Why Apple went the direct opposite from this is pretty obvious. It's all about the money. It certainly isn't the quality of the software being offered, nor is it the usefulness of said software. It is all about that % cut they get from every sale. Android and Palm and I would assume Windows apps stores all do the same, but they also allow you to circumvent the store altogether, which is really nice.