Cult of Mac: a blog about the Mac, the iPod, the iPhone - and the people who love them

65 comments

Get a real job.

Yeah the DRM might annoy some people, e.g, the real geeks who want to and know how to jailbreak the device, but for the masses, which this device is intended for, the locked-in features will be more than enough for them.

It’s being billed as something for your mother, something for a teenager, something everybody can EASILY use without errors, configuration of individual installs etc, so for the masses, the device is currently perfect for pretty much everything they need.

The only people who will be pissed off about the DRM is the geeks who want to do ‘more’ with the device than its actually intended to do.

Instead of protesting about this ridiculous issue, go get a real job, or go campaign for some charity which REALLY needs help for REAL causes.

Jeez!

Andrew Macdonald, on February 8th, 2010 at 5:28 pm

I wanted to say it, but Andrew said it first. Luckily, people that don’t like it don’t have to buy it.

Eric Jasso, on February 8th, 2010 at 5:32 pm

Yep! It’s time that Apple realizes that buyers don’t want that *$§% DRM!

I am a real Mac fan, but haven’t bought an iPhone because of this boundaries: No apps from the net a forced to one provider? No thanks – that customer is gone for you Apple!

I’m looking forward to a touchscreen mobile that hasn’t that kind of limitation. Unfortunately right now I couldn’t find any iSync plugins for the LG, the Samsung … Has anyone a good alternative?

Tice, on February 8th, 2010 at 5:33 pm

First of all, DRM is there because the publishers want it there. Prime example is music, Apple has always pushed for DRM free music, but the music companies refused to budge.

Secondly, people that care about DRM aren’t just geeks, they’re the people directly affected by it. You buy a CD and you’re a labelled a criminal because you had the audacity rip it so you listen to that CD on your MP3 player or in the car.

DRM affects your mom when all of a sudden the online music service she uses goes out of business and no longer has an authentication server and she’s lost all the music she’s paid for.

Don, on February 8th, 2010 at 5:38 pm

Very unlikely Apple is going to go out of business though is it. We are talking about Apple here, but going back to the original point, i think they are protesting more against the fact that the iPad is locked in and they cant install external apps etc.

I think thats actually a good thing, because it makes their devices VERY easy to use, whether you pick up a Mac, an iPhone, an iPod, an iPad, they all work the same regardless.

The locked in eco-system also makes the process of finding and installing new apps VERY very easy. If the iPad was open like a normal operating system, a Mac, a Windows based PC, it suddenly makes finding and installing programs a little more complex.

Apple is making this whole process very easy by pushing the closed eco-system, and i think ultimately, thats a good thing, for the masses. The only people who seem to have a problem with it is the people who are a little more advanced, people i refer to as the geeks. (I am one!!)

Andrew Macdonald, on February 8th, 2010 at 5:47 pm

ditto what the first two people said!

murphysm, on February 8th, 2010 at 5:56 pm

The author apparently doesn’t understand that iTunes will sync any media that is in a format the device it’s syncing to understands. Of the media I have on my iPhone, only 10% originates from Apple.

Terry, on February 8th, 2010 at 6:01 pm

Heh. You are being WAY to optimistic about a “jailbreak in 48 hours.” The cat and mouse game will just continue. Of the iPad’s hardware secruity is going to based off anything, it’s going to be the latest model IPT2G and IPT3G, because have no known exploits (untethered at least). Maybe the dev team(s) have one but plan to keep it until the next iPhone is realeased. That wouldn’t be the first time they have done that

But hey, we can all hope! And if people don’t like the DRM restrictions, then they shouldn’t buy it. But I agree it’s lame.

Matt, on February 8th, 2010 at 6:09 pm

Want an Apple Ipad but don’t want to pay for it ? Go to http://GetYourIpad.info

Jerry, on February 8th, 2010 at 6:09 pm

The people that complain about Apple and DRM are the same people that torrent everything in sight and drive prices up for honest people like myself that actually pay for things.

If you fall into the no-DRM camp, Apple could give a fat rat’s ass about you. Your plea will fall on deaf ears, as well it should. Stop torrenting, start paying for your music and movies and then let’s talk.

Stevo, on February 8th, 2010 at 6:12 pm

Terry, I never wrote anything of the sort; the post is about software apps, not media.

Eli Milchman, on February 8th, 2010 at 6:15 pm

Terry – Nothing pisses people off more than spammers, so go spam somewhere else yeh mate?

Andrew Macdonald, on February 8th, 2010 at 6:16 pm

Excuse my last comment, it was actually for meant or Jerrys comment…

Want an Apple Ipad but don’t want to pay for it ? Go to http://GetYourIpad.info

To which my response was…

Jerry – Nothing pisses people off more than spammers, so go spam somewhere else yeh mate?

Andrew Macdonald, on February 8th, 2010 at 6:17 pm

@Stevo really hit the nail on the head there. I 100% agree!! Very well said sir.

Andrew Macdonald, on February 8th, 2010 at 6:18 pm

Don’t want DRM… don’t buy the device, then you won’t be “forced” into anything!

Better yet, build your own darn device that does all you want it to do and quit complaining about Apple not meeting your every need.

Apple is a business. They build something to satisfy their customers. Their customers are not every single human being. (What is the % difference between Windows-based computers and Apple OSX?) Apple has a target market, and they make products for that sector. If this doesn’t meet your needs. Go somewhere else. Apple doesn’t “owe” you anything.

Daniel, on February 8th, 2010 at 6:18 pm

I don’t get it, there will still be DIY systems, windows boxes, linux boxes, hackintoshes for that matter, so another type of system comes along (or will do in the future) and everybody thinks its the end of the world.

The real question is what are these people really angry about? What’s suddenly missing from their worlds? Nothing is being subtracted but another device is being added to the world. Do they feel redundant all of a sudden?

So we have a computer everybody can use, and all the ‘techies/geeks/experts’ feel they are no longer valid. Bye.

Georgia, on February 8th, 2010 at 6:19 pm

the comment from @Daniel is also a very good point of view, and very valid.

Again, well said sir.

Andrew Macdonald, on February 8th, 2010 at 6:24 pm

I now this is kinda off topic, but once again, it blows my mind that Apple zombies have such a flippant attitudes towards DRM, especially since if MS did the same exact thing, they would be screaming bloody murder. And ANYONE who believed differently is just kidding themselves.

The “well if you don’t like it, then you don’t have to buy it” excuse is such an ignorant/simple-minded viewpoint that it almost doesn’t need/deserve to be addressed, but here goes: if one particular business model is offensive, sure one can ignore it and do business with somebody else, but if becomes popular that becomes the primary means of distributing/purchasing content… THAT’S why people get so bent out of shape.

And the “well, dumb people won’t notice” is yet another passive aggressive dig that Apple users love to pull out against all those dum-dum Pee Cee users, and totally invalid in this day and age. After-all, how else can one explain the success of the Amazon mp3 store, with its DRM free songs? Or Apple themselves offering DRM-less music in recent years?

Though what Don says is correct, and perhaps it might be safe to say that if Apple had it their way, there would be no DRM when it comes to content in the first place, but certain deals had to been made in order to get content providers to sign the dotted line.

But the real issue here is apps, not songs and books. Take a look at all the Android apps from Google and compare them with whomever else’s, and the interface inconsistencies is pretty amazing, and totally speaks the virtues of a closed platform. Though, and again maybe this has nothing to do with the argument, but that App Store is going to need to be completely overhauled, cuz it barely works as is.

Oh, and Tice, ever heard of DoubleTwist? http://www.doubletwist.com/dt/Home/Index.dt

fort90, on February 8th, 2010 at 6:26 pm

@ Eli – The topic is predominately about DRM but you are correct that I should have pointed that comment toward the anti-DRM crowd in general

Terry, on February 8th, 2010 at 6:34 pm

@ fort90 – The so called “Apple Zombies” probably couldn’t care less about what Microsoft is doing other than ruining Office for Mac. Nice straw man though.

Terry, on February 8th, 2010 at 6:38 pm

This is such an old tired story and we all know how it ends. I happen agree with Daniel and Georgia’s point of view. There are many alternative choices out there… Windows, Linux and Android. You an buy books and music from Amazon and others without the use of iTunes. There are many 3rd party utilities to convert music to iTunes if you happen need that. Move on if you don’t like it.

Paul, on February 8th, 2010 at 6:43 pm

What is DRM’d on the iPad? Apps? Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that essentially the same thing as a serial number? A way to keep one guy from DL’ing it and passing it around to everyone? Sorta like what’s happening on Jailbroken iPhones?

Conrad, on February 8th, 2010 at 6:47 pm

Ummm, this is no differnt to the lock down on Xbox, Xbox360, Playstation, PS3, WII, PSP, Nintendo, SegaSystem. What makes these the same as iPad – it is a consumer appliance. All the software on these devices has to be approved by the HW vendor, and unapproved software wont run unless the OS or hardware has been modified.
Warning: nearly every PC today has all the hrdware required to lock down a PC in a similar way – The Trusted Computing Module on many new machines. All it requires is that the OS turn on all the features and the hardware will no longer execute unsigned code.
If you dont want the DRM, dont buy their stuff.

John, on February 8th, 2010 at 6:49 pm

Tice makes me laugh out loud. Doesn’t want Apple to help him/her by making standard software virtually guaranteed to play nice, with a decent organisational tool to manage it with; he’d rather have an open device with any old junk some kid in a basement knocks up with no QA and no consideration for anyone or anything else. That’s fine, that’s his/her lookout. But wait… What’s this…? A fall at the first fence? A meek, “Does anyone know how to sync my open, apparently ‘better’ platform…? Help me….!”

Fail.

Marky Mark, on February 8th, 2010 at 7:07 pm

@John, if it’s an appliance then how is it ‘better’ than a netbook?

nabil2199, on February 8th, 2010 at 7:13 pm

I think it’s fine that Apple is promoting a more simple device for a targeted computer-laypersons group. In fact this isn’t meant to be a general computer and I think it’s a good thing for those who don’t want to fuss with configuration etc. If Apple wants to create a tiered system of Appstore-approved and non-Appstore-aproved/warranty voiding apps, even that’s fine by me. But Apple is doing more than simply not marketing their device to “every single human being” as Daniel above says. Apple deliberately tries to break iPhones or destroy app compatibility after each firmware update just because we choose to do with OUR phones what we want, after we’ve already paid Apple its money. To those above who’ve posted and wondered why some get so angry, it’s because it’s deliberate. Other companies don’t deliberately withhold and actively fight against added functionality for its products when a clear customer base wants it. There are other ways to maintain simplicity for some without screwing over the rest. When I see firmware update after update mean that I have to reconfigure my phone again or wait for Devs to rewrite apps to make them compatible again after Apple’s deliberate action and then hear every other breath from Steve Jobs be about how their products “just work” I want to punch him in the face.

And @stevo: the article was about software not media. I’ve jailbroken my phone so I could buy (yes BUY, with money) apps that I couldn’t buy through the AppStore.

Danny, on February 8th, 2010 at 7:25 pm

I am REALLY SICK of the pro-piracy crowd whining about DRM. You are fucking thieves. Go to hell.

JAYnLA, on February 8th, 2010 at 7:36 pm

its apples choice to run it the way they want and to be honest it creates a different product.
sure there are negatives but the positives are there aswell.
for exzample, the jailbroken iphone i have gets bogged down quick and the battery life is horrid.
my regular iphone always runs smooth.
another exzample is the open source linux os, never gonna hit mainstream because its too complicated. sometimes easy is good and for that you have to make sacrifices.

bubbakush, on February 8th, 2010 at 7:45 pm

“I am REALLY SICK of the pro-piracy crowd whining about DRM. You are fucking thieves. Go to hell.”

good thing you have no say wahtsoever in the matter lol at you getting all worked up

bubbakush, on February 8th, 2010 at 7:46 pm

I’m also with what the first guy said. I am actually very glad that Apple has to approve all the apps first. It means there is some sort of quality control over what we PAY for. I don’t want to buy an app that crashes or has some sort of hack in through a back door. The Nexus One is opening itself up to all sorts of problems and I for one am glad that the iPhone is locked down. I have JailBroken my iPhone in the past. It sux, it slows everything down and it’s unstable. I understand why they do it and I am glad they do. I hate DRM as much as the next guy and I am glad it gone from music. But I can see why Apple do it with their apps. It’s why the iPhone is the best phone on the market, because a lot of the issue from 3rd party software are gone.

jared, on February 8th, 2010 at 7:54 pm

Yeah…. I like to have control over MY hardware, I don’t need someone to hold my hand thank you very much. Perhaps when the inevitable macPad Pro comes out with full OSX then we will finally get the apple tablet we’ve all been dreaming of for the last umpteen years.

mlahero, on February 8th, 2010 at 8:10 pm

Tice

Theres an iSync plugin for the N900,..seems to work ok,..I’ve had a bit of trouble syncing my google calendar with the n900/isync, but no other complaints,..

oh,, the n900 has built in skype that doesn’t care if you are on 3g/wifi or gprs,..

garage.maemo.org

actually, I’m really pining for the LG GW990 to come out this summer!!
32bit x86 ubuntu linux on a cell phone!!! I cant wait!!

perhaps Marky Mark should stick to his long since failed rap music career.

thedude, on February 8th, 2010 at 8:17 pm

I will never buy the any product that supports DRM (period)

iciarch, on February 8th, 2010 at 8:31 pm

1.this is NOT a general purpose device

2. it’s not Apple that wants the DRM. it’s the publishers, music labels, networks and studios. Apple would love to have no DRM if they could. but aside from the music labels they haven’t found the catch to force the removal (and that was only on the audio tracks, videos still have DRM)

Charli, on February 8th, 2010 at 8:31 pm

At this point, Apple has a legal right to restrict the software that runs on their hardware. And they have only a few rules that would bar anything. All this fuss about the App Store is merely folks that don’t want to have to play by the rules but they simply don’t like being told what they can’t or can’t do.

Charli, on February 8th, 2010 at 8:35 pm

I have been an Apple user since 1984, not that that really has any relevance here. I am with Daniel, no one is holding a gun to peoples heads to purchase one of these things. What would be really stupid is for any of the 8 thousand + (and counting) who have signed the petition, to have any intention of buying the device. If you dont like the the way apple has designed the device dont buy it. Duh! Save your money for a device that someone else other than Apple creates that is more in line with what you want that being DMR free. I am not going to buy a ipad any time soon because the upgraded version that comes out in a year to 18 will be a significant improvement at the same or cheaper cost thats when I will buy

L J Moloney, on February 8th, 2010 at 8:50 pm

re: iciarch
I will never buy the any product that supports DRM (period)

Okay, so you have never bought an xbox, wii, ps3, iphone, blue-ray player, dvd player, computer, etc… I think you’re an idiot. You’re using a computer, and in order to get the OS on that computer, there needed to be an optical media of some sort. That optical media player had built in DRM. Stop being an idiot.

You’re also an idiot for spelling period. And in parenthesis? Really? Did you have a point, or just like to troll?

Ryan, on February 8th, 2010 at 9:14 pm

If they don’t like the DRM, nobody is forcing them to buy one. I’m not buying one, but DRM is the least of the iPad’s negative points.

Zedd, on February 8th, 2010 at 9:42 pm

Personally – I think the closed eco-system of the iPad product is part of what will make it attractive to many users. It’s not a computer in the traditional sense – if that’s what you want – don’t buy and iPad.

Cityhues, on February 8th, 2010 at 11:29 pm

@ “…but that App Store is going to need to be completely overhauled, cuz it barely works as is”

I’m guessing you never took economics in school? A billion apps. sold. Yeah, it’s barely working. LMAO

@ “Perhaps when the inevitable macPad Pro comes out with full OSX then we will finally get the apple tablet we’ve all been dreaming of for the last umpteen years.”

It’s basically already out. Let me preface myself by saying that I have no financial interest in this company but check out http://www.jaaduvnc.com. Installation is brain-dead easy and for all intents and purposes, it allows you to run OS X on your IPhone. This means, of course that it will run on the iPad.

Stevo, on February 9th, 2010 at 12:47 am

@ Danny…

The article above states, “John Sullivan, DbD’s operations manager, says the group is dedicated to getting Apple to remove DRM and DRM enforcement from all its software AND MEDIA.”

Also, you bring up an interesting point. 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?

Stevo, on February 9th, 2010 at 12:51 am

I’ve been using & programming computers since 1984. Sincerely, I cannot count the times that the issue of piracy now become the issue of DRM has come up.

Anti-piracy measures and DRM are not exactly the same, however they inevitably mingle together.

The App Store is indeed a cash-cow for Apple but also for the developer.

Currently, I am working full-time as a professional iPhone developer.
And for all of you who are screaming against the app store, yes it has its negatives (slow review process, Apple’s commission, etc.) but overwhelmingly so, it’s a good thing for developers. That is exactly why so many of us love Apple’s iPhone OS platform (that, and the amazing quality of the toolset).

I’d argue, that it is a good thing for consumers too. You get many, many high quality apps for absolutely anything you might wish an app existed for. You get many mediocre apps too. But honestly, people. There are so many ways out there (review sites, forums, word-of-mouth, you-name-it), that one can use to find out if an app is worth buying.

Apple does not share the mindset of other parties in the industry. Yes, they are a closed (source) ecosystem, but they deliver quality products.

But more so than anything else, I believe that it is a media thing. Apple is riding high and the media always love to bash a winner.

cookeecut, on February 9th, 2010 at 2:12 am

Before I’ll consider buying an iPad I want to know if you can sync your existing ebooks with iBooks like you can mp3s with iTunes – if the only way to get ebooks into iBooks is through the store, then I’m out. Anyone know?

Cleay, on February 9th, 2010 at 2:52 am

Some of the posts here make me ashamed to be an Apple fanboy. Just because one is anti-DRM does not mean that one is pro-piracy. Please don’t conflate the two.

I’m personally not buying an iPad (to go along with my iPhone, iMac, and Mac Book Pro) specifically because of the closed app ecosystem. I don’t like it, and I’m not going to support it. Why buy an iPhone then? Because I don’t care about the closed ecosystem there; the iPhone is a very cool toy, but a toy nonetheless. The iPad is a general purpose device — and if it’s not, as many of you seem to believe, why would I want one? — and I just can’t get behind that.

Some people seem to thing that opening the app market would mean getting rid of the App Store. Why? Why can’t you buy officially reviewed and approved software from Apple *and* still be able to obtain software from other sources? Please don’t tell me that it’s to make the system more stable, that it’s for my own good. I’m an adult and should be able to run whatever I want on my computers.

And whoever said that people would be up in arms if Microsoft tried the same thing? Spot on. I’m sure there’d be a Mac vs. PC commercial about it.

John, on February 9th, 2010 at 4:05 am

don’t worry, we’ll hack the crap out of it and it will be awesome just like the jailbroke iphone

Beau, on February 9th, 2010 at 4:33 am

FFS.

If you don’t like it, BUY SOMETHING ELSE.

These morons go on about wanting open solutions, but they can’t see past their own damned self righteousness, and are not practising what they’re preaching: STOP TRYING TO ENFORCE YOUR WORLD VIEW ON EVERYONE ELSE.

Phil, on February 9th, 2010 at 5:00 am

I’m fed up reading about these silly people and their silly “crusades”. Any morey articles with the words DRM won’t be read by me.
This “blogosphere” is getting more stupid by the hour with everyone regurgitating the same old drivel.

Brian, on February 9th, 2010 at 5:28 am

To all those people writing about opening the App store, the closed ecosystem, etc. Can I please ask a simple question?

Are you all developers, programmers, computer scientists?

Now, I assume the answer might be no. Which leads me to my next thought.

If that is so, and most of you are just tech gadget consumers, then do the following:

Forget for a moment, the app store, the open-source and DRM debates. Just imagine, that you know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about these issues.

Now, you go out on the market. You see an iPad. For argument’s sake, let’s say it’s an iPad with a camera and whatever else people complained that the iPad’s hardware is missing. Now, suppose you like the product and you buy it.

You go home and think about something you wish to do with it. Now, you login to the app store and presto, there’s about a trillion apps for your needs.
You look around, search and compare, and finally you download and are happily computing with your apps.

So, let’s review the above. You are a happy consumer, you bought a nice device, you get your job done with your apps.

Now, for heaven’s sake, where in all of this did you ever stop to consider anything else other than the user experience?

Nowhere. That is the answer.

It is not, I repeat not an issue about fanboyism. I am frankly utterly amazed that people out there cannot simply understand the fact that 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.

That and only that will be the point on which the iPad or for this matter any other new product, will succeed or fail.

cookeecut, on February 9th, 2010 at 5:40 am

Well put, Phil. Nothing says “I have nothing to contribute” quite like an ad hominem attack. Or should I take your post ironically, as enforcing one world view on others is what the anti-DRM crowd is against?

cookeecut – I can’t speak for others, but I am a developer. No need to be amazed: I’m pretty sure the people you’re referring to understand that the majority don’t care about DRM. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try to raise their awareness on issues that are as important as this.

John, on February 9th, 2010 at 6:32 am

I agree, if you don’t like the iPad, don’t buy the iPad. Simple.

Jayson, on February 9th, 2010 at 8:01 am

@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.

Danny, on February 9th, 2010 at 8:46 am

Hey, genius! You don’t need to make or sign a petition. Just don’t buy one!

Zack, on February 9th, 2010 at 10:12 am

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.

Jean-Henry, on February 9th, 2010 at 10:13 am

It’s unfortunate that there are so many comments already – while most of my views have been stated, they’re rather disperse.

Basically, those complaining about the “closed” system need to wake up. I’m not a huge fan of the App Store but, being CTO currently and in IT for the entirety of my career, I do appreciate what it stands for.

No need for tech support. No need to give customer’s a headache as they’re transferred back and forth between three tiers of support. No need for call centers and customer service reps. No need for support tickets and customer quality control.

Essentially, Apple pretty much allows developers to do whatever they want (mostly) and then gives them a platform to distribute to the masses – for free no less. One could argue that the fact that Apple takes a 30% cut negates the “free” concept, but riddle me this: how many dollars in marketing and advertising would it take to equate to the exposure you can get on the App Store?

So, in removing all the support needed to maintain independent software, removing the worry of major bugs or viruses, supplying developers with the tools to pretty much allow anything to happen that the hardware is capable of (again, mostly), there isn’t any REALLY valid arguments against the “DRM” you speak of, as it’s all beneficial to both consumers AND developers.

As was posted above: If you’re a member of DbD… Get a real job or waste your time doing something more productive – go protest or rally for Haiti or something.

Good day.

Gabriel Gonzalez, on February 9th, 2010 at 11:48 am

“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?

iGenius, on February 9th, 2010 at 11:52 am

John @ 6.23am writes, “Well put, Phil. Nothing says “I have nothing to contribute” quite like an ad hominem attack. Or should I take your post ironically, as enforcing one world view on others is what the anti-DRM crowd is against?”

What can I say? Iron has it’s uses. I’m sick to death of reading about idiots who’s only way of getting things done is to create on online petition and hang around streets (in numbers of 6) waving poorly conceived billboards at people who can’t even see them.

Here’s what Hilaire Belloc wrote about crusades:

“I am writing a book about the Crusades so dull that I can scarcely write it.”

Phil, on February 9th, 2010 at 1:03 pm

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

Owen Chadmire, on February 9th, 2010 at 1:26 pm

Ooooooo, DRM, scary!

Can we institutionalize those Defective Brains by Design people?

KenC, on February 9th, 2010 at 1:39 pm

@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.

mlahero, on February 9th, 2010 at 2:52 pm

Hmmm… Andrew specifically:

We’re all Mac people here so we all understand that giving up a bit of freedom (whether it be hardware options or software options) can have an advantage in the form of “it just works.” Of course we all understand the advantage of having a “locked-in” iPhone and iPad platform for those who can’t or don’t care to deal with anything less than “it just works.” The problem is that some of us real geeks like to actually use our hardware to the fullest without the stock limitations the masses are subject to. It’s a computer, it’s a goddamn computer, so why the f can’t I install servers and compilers and whatever else god has created for us nerds on it? Apple: let the geeks tear apart and reverse engineer the hardware we buy this silly cat-and-mouse game, and leave the rest as-is for the laymen.

goosesensor, on February 9th, 2010 at 5:54 pm

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!

goosesensor, on February 9th, 2010 at 5:59 pm

Goose, there is indeed a link to the petition in the third paragraph, under the hypertext “online petition.”

Eli Milchman, on February 9th, 2010 at 6:17 pm

Cool.

goosesensor, on February 9th, 2010 at 7:05 pm

The iPad is not a computer!
The iPad is not a computer!
The iPad is not a computer!
The iPad is not a computer!
See above!

TRRosen, on February 10th, 2010 at 6:38 am

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.

TRRosen, on February 10th, 2010 at 6:52 am

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