Some have used the term "hostage franchise model". I see it as Steve Jobs turning developers that target the Apple App Store into his manor of serfs.
The thing that really offends my sensibilities the most about Apple's position regarding iPhone 4 OS is the locking down of tool/language choice. In the past we developers have innovated just as much using better tools and languages as in the writing of applications themselves. In theory, better development tools and languages might denote a competitive advantage. Yet Apple comes along, closes that door, and stifles everyone into the use of their tools and languages. (Which they really don't innovate that much for, or as rapidly other camps. In many ways, Apple, in terms of tools and languages, is still just living off the legacy of NextStep and its early '90s innovations.) I understand all those other angles too about locking out Adobe as a source of competition. Or blocking other companies from being able to offer competition to Apple's new iAds, etc., etc. Yet it's the throttling of tool/language innovation that gets my goat the most. How long can a company go hating on its platform developers because said company believes they've created such an enticing market that developers will suffer their scorn and contemptuous attitude? Apple's business approach is predicated on the presumption that greed is the most fundamental human motivator - we want access to their customers so badly we'll suffer Apple's derision toward us. I suppose over the next year this will be an interesting experiment to see to what extent that presumption is correct. Android == freedom of choice && human-dignity iPhoneOS == abusive relationship (i.e., the husband that beats the wife and yet she won't leave him) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Java Posse" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/javaposse?hl=en.
