Apple and Anti-trust
I’ve joked before that if Microsoft operated like Apple, the feds would shut them down and divide them like they did Bell. I mean, imagine if Microsoft put spyware protection in their browser to block Google ads? Google would be history. Or if they had Windows rigged to not allow the installation of iTunes? Apple would go poof. So, I found this funny:
U.S. antitrust enforcers are taking a keen interest in recent changes that Apple Inc. made to its licensing agreement with iPhone application developers and are likely to open a preliminary investigation into whether the company’s actions stifle competition in mobile devices, according to people familiar with the situation.
Yup. The iPhone. I think such a lawsuit is stupid. After all, there are other phones and folks have choices and the feds should mind their own business. But if this was Microsoft, folks would be lined up at the trough and calling for their head. It’s funny to think Apple has a monopoly on any thing.
May 6th, 2010 at 9:58 am
I like some of Apple’s products. I have an iPhone and a MBP and an iMac and lately an iPad.
BUT
I really HATE what they do with iTunes and the app store. And this ad thing is creeping me out. Funny how the Microsoft boogie man starts looking like the good guy.
May 6th, 2010 at 11:51 am
Apple make some nice products. They’re usually seriously overpriced for what they can do, (the iPad is a really good example of this) especially with the restrictions Apple puts on them, but they are nice.
May 6th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Apple products are nice, just not for me. The way Apple, Jobs, et al have been acting with regards to “shut down all the competition through dubious patents” I hope the FTC kicks ’em in the proverbial balls.
May 6th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Tag line I’ve seen on the various Android fora: “Google innovates, Apple sues.” I suppose you could add “Microsoft buys the innovators, and then gets sued.”
May 8th, 2010 at 10:56 am
Ummm…don’t go too far with the “if Microsoft did” nonsense. Over it’s history Microsoft has been guilty of just about every anti-competitive practice possible. Telling retailers and wholesalers that if they wanted to sell MS products then they had to sell only MS products. Code changes in Windows so Netscape wouldn’t run. Code changes in DOS so other programs wouldn’t run. The list is long and at least as repellant as anything Apple has done. One difference though, for many years now MS has had an effective lock on business desktop OS’s (please don’t look silly by mentioning Linux or Mac’s, neither is serious competition) and has used this advantage mercilessly. At least with the iPhone you can always say, “get an Android, it’s just as good, just a little different”
May 10th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Microsoft methodically committed multiple felonies for years and were finally convicted of a few of them. There is no comparison between the two companies.
Apple has innovated dramatically more than Google could ever dream of in hardware, OS, apps, and UI.
Google bought Android from another company they did not create it. it was originally designed to compete with Windows Mobile and the first versions looked like Windows Mobile. Now it looks like the iPhone except the UI is not nearly as good nor is media syncing and usage. Real innovation there Google.
I own both and Android phone, the HTC Incredible and an iPhone 3GS. Trust me the Android users can be as dogmatic and ill informed as many iPhone users.
People who think Apple products are overpriced are not paying attention. There are many factors that go into price and a premium hardware, OS, and software experience is one of them. Apple is not interested in low cost crappy PC’s of the kind the Dells and HPs of the work are flogging. That is a race to the bottom that nobody is winning.
May 10th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
“At least with the iPhone you can always say, “get an Android, it’s just as good, just a little different””
I would not not say its just as good but its getting there. Google needs to hire some UI specialists though. Googles biggest advantage is that it is on multiple carriers. Get the iPhone on something other than AT&T, especially on Verizon, and watch Androids sales decline considerably.