July 18, 2008
To iPhone or not to iPhone?
This article says no.
Iphone 2.0: Why You're Better Off Avoiding the iPhone
the technology they use is explicitly chosen to divide people into separate digital cells, and to position Apple as sole warden. When your business depends on people paying for the privilege of being locked up, the prison better look and feel luxurious, and the bars better not be too visible.
Posted by cmwillis at July 18, 2008 12:11 AM | TrackBack
I read this too and thought it was a little dumb. To address their points:
# Phone completely blocks free software. Developers must pay a tax to Apple, who becomes the sole authority over what can and can't be on everyone's phones.
This sucks, but they've got to have some way of controlling what apps are allowed on their phone or one rogue program could take out the network. They absolutely do NOT block free software. If you want to make your app free you can, with no tax to apple.
# iPhone endorses and supports Digital Restrictions Management (DRM) technology.
Yeah, I don't know if you heard, but to sell music you have to deal with the RIAA. Meanwhile, Apple's got iTunes Plus which are DRM free. Is Amazon's MP3 store better? Yes, but they don't make a phone.
# iPhone exposes your whereabouts and provides ways for others to track you without your knowledge.
So turn that off.
# iPhone won't play patent- and DRM-free formats like Ogg Vorbis and Theora.
Good point, but you can easily transcode those formats into lossless, DRM-free MP3s which will in fact play on the phone.
Posted by: Ryan at July 18, 2008 12:49 PM