@stevo:
Yes, DbD is concerned with media as well as the software side. But the author uses their petition to discuss primarily the closed software ecosystem in this article.

“For those that actually *want* alternative applications, they’re certainly easy to get a hold of by jailbreaking your phone. Just curious…how many of those applications do you actually use?”

Why the asterisks around “want?”
When you say they they are certainly easy enough to get by jailbreaking, is that supposed to mean: then why are people complaining? Because that’s obviously the point an you obviously know that. That it is made less easy by Apple, some of whose actions are aimed not at protecting the user expeience of those who choose the smooth-runnning garden they maintain but are aimed at disrupting the devices of those that don’t. It’s very anti consumer.

As far as how many of those apps I actually use… quite a few. Besides the purely aesthetic like themes, etc. which are always in use and do have value, Categories which allows be to have folders is always in use and allows be to have 2 homescreen instead of 15, one with common apps and one with folders. Putting info on my lockscreen is always an in-use application. Quikscroll, which gives me scroll bars like in os x, is used often. Backgrounder and Kirikae allow multitasking: a constantly used feature for me. Etc., etc. In fact since many non-Apple apps/addons affect functionality, I’d say I may use a higher % of those more often than Apple-approved apps, especially considering the numberof games I have that I never play anymore.

Two comments: First, as long as no other “viable” user experience and business model as the one proposed by Apple is available out there they will continue delivering and driving the market with this unique touch of “user centered design”. They’ve done it several times with the iPod, iPhone / iTouch and now the iPad should be no exception.
They’re good at what they do because the USER exists in their world and it’s a fundamental part of the equation.

Now, concerning the DRM side of things, well let’s put it this way: given the right business model and user experience, it’s not that bad after all. It does however need fundamental changes in the way it is approached in terms of user rights (e.g., fair use, home copy, 1st sale rights, space shifting, etc.) But I argue it’s not Apple who should be blamed for that, but all the Lobbies behind the insane approach to DRM they’ve recurrently forced into the industry, refusing to consider how our society has changed with the Internet.

At the end of the day, don’t blame Apple for that blame the lobbies, congress, copyright law, the majors, the publishers. Apple is good at listening and hearing its users. DRM providers only listen and hear MPAA, RIAA and lobbies. By refusing to innovate and consider creative alternatives, the whole market is doomed and people continue looking at DRM as a Restriction technology instead of an Enabler. Re-thinking creatively DRM is possible. Think about it! Most users aren’t criminals. There’s no need for military grade security. DRM doesn’t curb those that it should. User Experience is Key, put the user back where he belongs: in the driving seat, not in the trunk shoving it whatever suits best the big stakeholders. There’s much much room for improvement, fun times ahead, check it out.

“the majority of consumers could not possibly care less about closed ecosystems and development platforms. They care only about getting the best possible user experience.”

Is that why “the majority of consumers” do not buy Apple products?

What about the rest of us? Why can’t we buy software from the iSore AND elsewhere?

Maybe this group should focus on that even bigger fish in the DRM pond…Microsoft.

@phil:
I think the point is…. We will buy something else. I’ve always liked Apple products because of their high quality but I have absolutely no brand loyalty. Apple have to careful not to strangle their own product through their (some would say) overly cautious protective attitude. Not only are they putting off potential customers but they’re giving their rivals (i.e. everyone) a very decent edge to eat into apple’s market share.

Every single computer manufacturer on the planet is now designing a new tablet based directly off what they’ve seen of the iPad, so whats the first thing they’re going to do? They’re going to pin down what the iPad doesnt have and add that to their product; maybe a full operating system, multi-tasking, memory card, flash support etc. That’s an edge.

Oh, and Eli, why have you not included a link to sign the petition?

I’ve used Mac OS since version 6, and I’m an established shareware developer, but sometimes you fanbois piss me off.

Apple is not always right. Apple is not always fair. Apple is a corporation.

Think for yourself!

Cool. :)

Note

Apple created the “personal” computer in 1977 by releasing the Apple IIe

Apple killed the personal “computer” in 2010 by releasing the iPad.

Its over!! The iPad is what 90% of the people want and need.(conceptually) People don’t want a computer they want a device that gets their email, browses the web, stores their media and plays a few games. Geeks and power users want workstations. The personal computer is dead. Get over it. Its just evolution.