The feds may be on to Apple's bad behavior

[Renew Deal]

More evidence that Apple is the new Microsoft: It may be on the verge of getting investigated by Uncle Sam for antitrust violations.

Apparently, Apple's new our-way-or-the-highway developers agreement for the iPhone has gained the attention of the Federal Trade Commission and/or the Department of Justice <1>, according to a report in the New York Post. It seems that dictating to developers what tools they can use to build their apps and forbidding said apps from transmitting analytical data <2> to third parties does not sit well with somebody in Obamaville.

Meanwhile, Steve Jobs has been careening through the tech world like a drunken frat boy at a high society luncheon -- bashing longtime partner Adobe, trashing Android as a haven for porn <6>, defending the ban on apps for their sexual or political content while allowing others with similar sexual or political content, and so on. That is, he's pretty much acting like it's Steve's world <7>, and he just lets us live in it.

And then there's GizmodoGate. Siccing the computer cops on blogger Jason Chen <8> and confiscating his computers was clearly an intimidation tactic -- spill our secrets and we'll make life unpleasant for you in any way we can.
Protecting their own, the formerly adoring media (present company excepted) has begun to turn on Apple. The New York Times' David Carr calls Apple's behavior in the whole GizmodoGate affair "churlish," <9> which is probably the meanest word the Times' copy editors will allow him to use. He writes:

Apple executives have often behaved as though the ultimate custody and control of information lies with them, and the company has gone to extraordinary lengths to protect its interests. Yet for all of its spectacular achievements, Apple is exhibiting a remarkable tone-deafness in the issue at hand. As Apple is changing into a media company, as well, its Silicon Valley brand of aggression is running up against its broader ambitions.

Damn straight. Even The Daily Show's Jon Stewart took time out from trashing Teabag-party animals and Faux News to take Apple to the woodshed for being "appholes"

[Cronus Protagonist]

1. In my long career in tech (over 25 years) this is standard practice for Apple

The jackbooted thugs going after a lost piece of tech is just an inevitable extension of the company's "our way or the highway" mentality, and the growth of fascism in America. That's been there since Apple's inception, and only left when Jobs was forced out temporarily.

[ejpoeta]

2. i just got an ipod a couple of months ago. but i think i would prefer a droid

if i get a smartphone. besides the fact that i have verizon and don't want to have to go to att to get an iphone, i dislike this parentlike behavior. i am an adult and am currently capable of making decisions for myself.

[NoNothing]

4. I got the HTC Incredible the other day

With the Android OS and it is FANTASTIC! I think it beats the pants off the iPhone.

[onehandle]

3. Robert Reich: Apple Isn’t the Problem. Wall Street’s Big Banks are the Problem.

And I actually provide a link.
_______________

Why is the Federal Trade Commission threatening Apple with a possible lawsuit for abusing its economic power, but not even raising an eyebrow about the huge and growing economic (and political) muscle of JP Morgan Chase or any of the other four remaining giant banks on Wall Street?

Our future well being depends more on people like Steve Jobs who invent real products that can improve our lives, than it does on people like Jamie Dimon who invent financial products that do little other than threaten our economy.

Apple’s supposed sin was to tell software developers that if they want to make apps for iPhones and iPads they have to use Apple programming tools. No more outside tools (like Adobe’s Flash format) that can run on rival devices like Google’s Android phones and RIM’s BlackBerrys.

What’s wrong with that? Apple says it’s necessary to maintain quality. If consumers disagree they can buy platforms elsewhere. Apple was the world’s #3 smartphone supplier in 2009, with 16.2 percent of worldwide market share. RIM was #2, with 18.8 percent. Google isn’t exactly a wallflower. These and other firms are innovating like mad, as are tens of thousands of independent developers. If Apple’s decision reduces the number of future apps that can run on its products, Apple will suffer and presumably change its mind.

http://robertreich.org/post/572112065/apple-isnt-the-problem-wall-streets-big-banks-are

[NoNothing]

5. I don't know

Are you saying that any anti-competitive activity is okay, up until the point there is a monopoly?

[flamingdem]

7. I think he's right about Flash nt

[tritsofme]

6. Not a big fan of Apple, but I feel that moving from my iPhone to anything else would be a downgrade

I just haven't come across a device that is truly comparable, and it is in fact the only Apple product I currently or ever will own.