Unnamed sources in the New York Post article on May 3rd report that Apple may be under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission and or the Department of Justice for antitrust practices.  The focus of the investigation is around Apple’s new policy for iPhone/iPad developers that require them to only use software development tools provided by Apple.

Specifically, here is an excerpt from the iPhone OS 4 developer agreement:

“applications may only use Documents APIs in the manner prescribed by Apple and must not use or call any private APIs” and that “applications must be originally written in Objective-C, C, C++, or JavaScript as executed by the iPhone OS WebKit engine, and only code written in C, C++, and Objective-C may compile and directly link against the Documented APIs.”

Is it wrong for Apple to try and protect the stability of their platform?  I know it may be a stretch to assume they have our best interests in mind.  But I have used a Windows Mobile phone in the past.  It is not pleasant when you have to reboot your phone several times per day just to make sure you can receive calls.  I have to reboot my iPhone once every 14-21 days.  And it is not because it just stops operating or hanging like my Windows Mobile phone has done in the past.  It is only because an app or two will start behaving strangely.

How is this any different from the development kits/agreements for console based video game systems?  The Wii, Xbox, and Playstation all require application developers to use their development kits and abide by their licensing to develop an application on their platforms.

If developers want freedom, encourage them to go develop apps on the Blackberry, Symbian, Android, Palm webOS or Windows Mobile.  If Apple was asking developers to sign exclusive agreements that state if an app is developed for the iPhone/iPad it cannot be also developed/distributed on these other platforms, then let’s unleash the FTC.  But for now, Apple should be allowed to ensure the stability of the platform.

Last time I checked there were plenty of other issues that seem a little more important for the government to be focusing on right now.

The views expressed on this site are my own and do not represent any of my current/past employers, friends, my wife, children, or my pets.

The power of Apple…

In today’s Network World’s article, “Apple iSlate: IT pros ready to buy, if price is right“, author John Cox talks about how 40% of the 600 readers who responded to an online poll are ready to buy the new tablet when it is (expected) to be announced this Wednesday.  After reading this I am amazed by a few things:

• 4 out of 10 surveyed are willing to purchase a product – sight unseen
• another 2 out of 10 said they are leaning towards purchasing
• 70% of those surveyed said the device would “either never or probably not deployed as an enterprise mobile platform” – again, sight unseen

It amazes me that so many people are talking about making a decision on a product that we have zero information about.  No pictures, no features, no price.  We do not even know what it is called.  Heck – they may announce a revival of the Apple II product line. 

Yet 60% of those surveyed are considering a purchase.  And another 70% have decided how the device would be deployed (or in this case not deployed) in their enterprise environment.  Again, without knowing anything about the product.

Marketing Masters

Let’s face it.  Apple is a master at marketing.  They have been since Anya Major (also famous for Elton John’s 1986 Nakita video – ok…I was crushing a bit back then) ran down the aisle with a hammer and through it at big brother during the 3rd quarter of the 1984 Super Bowl.

People anticipate the release of their new products like few other companies.  Sites buzz about rumors and Apple does a phenomenal job at keeping everything under wraps – furthering the frenzy that surrounds their products.  You can’t buy the type of free media coverage that their products create.

Superior Products/Design

Of course all of this would not be possible if their products were not great.  The Mac, the iPod, the iPhone.  These have all redefined the respective market segments.  They have raised the bar.  Not just in technical capabilities – but in how their user interfaces work.  They break molds and redefine how we use technology – making it easier for anyone to use.

Am I going to go out and purchase an iSlate, iTablet, iBoard, iWhateverYouCallIt?  Maybe.  I am a technology whore.  I am always one for being up on the latest and greatest technology.  Would I have answered ”like totally” to the question of how likely I would be to buy this new product?  Naw.  I need to see it, understand what it is, and at least know what it is called.