Apple looks out for my best interests

"vital features like ringtones"

OK, I fully agree what Apple is doing is a Bad Thing.

But on the other hand, if you think a ringtone is a "vital feature" you really need to get a life.

I am the publisher of a state Magazine and a long time apple user. I recently ( August 17th) purchased an i-phone from the apple store in Reno Nevada. I specifically told them that I work in an all apple office and only used apple computers at home and I wanted to be sure I could transfer my phone numbers from my ATT phone - which happens to be an LG. I was told this was not a problem and the ATT store could in fact transfer all to a thumb drive and I could transfer numbers via i-tunes to my phone. It is more than a month later now and I have spent countless hours at ATT store - on their customer service line and on the apple help line as well as at two apple stores and the final outcome is as follows - If you do not have a PC - you cannot transfer your phone contacts from ANY ATT phone to your i-phone. It seems that this is a major oversight on your part, since the current apple users are the first people to buy and embrace your new product. You should also be aware that I have called over 20 ATT stores and have recorded their employees over and over telling me that transferring date from my ATT phone to my apple is "no problem". Your apple help desk was not even aware of this issue and offered no solutions. I have visited two different apple stores and had over 10 of your "genius" guys tell me - ATT can do this for me - "no problem".

I won't name names, but some moron just made the argument that an iPhone is like a car. They went on to say that if you make changes/mods to your car it voids the warranty.

This is the worst analogy I've heard yet...
The iPhone is comparable to a COMPUTER not a CAR.

A computer running any OS allows you to install software. If you buy a PC from Dell or even Apple, you can install software at will with out voiding your warranty. What you cannot do is change the hardware and expect the company to honor the original warranty.

HARDWARE and SOFTWARE are two very different things. If you do not understand the difference you should not be posting on a tech related blog other than to ask for help.

I can't believe people actually stick up for apple on this issue. How can any sane, non apple employee think apple has the right to control something AFTER a consumer has paid for it?
It's the bend over and take it attitude of people like this that ruin it for everyone.
I'm an apple fanboy too, but that doesn't mean you have to agree with EVERYTHING they do! Wake up people!

A good article that comments on this can be found on the BBC website:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7002612.stm

I'm really hoping that they are doing this to keep AT&T and the RIAA happy, and not for them making profit by locking out innovative 3rd party hackerware. If you think about it, the last thing AT&T wants is to let people be able to do what they want on phones with their service on it. Unlocks, Skype, IMing, all these things are dangerous to AT&T (cause they can't make money off of it) and I'm sure that there putting the pressure on Apple to keep people from doing so. And like others said, its the Rich Imperious Anal label lord Accomodators who are causing the ringtone ruckus. The only thing that scares me about Apple is that authenticity chip that there using.....

iChose not to purchase in the first place. Yes, I had to wipe drool from my face at all the neat little tricks and practices of the iphone, but you had to know what you were getting into when Apple paired exclusively with their carrier as AT&T. From the start line Apple was determined to lock this shiny object down nice and tight. Why the suprise look on your face?

iTUNES EMBARGO WEEK

I am a huge Apple fan and own many computers, laptops, and iPods, and even the AppleTV... mostly because everything just worked.

I am pissed about the VideoOUT issue and the games issues, even though I don't use either one. However, I do see it as a step in the wrong direction and a clear example of Apple losing its focus and becoming monarchistic.

The iPod community should come together to have an iTUNES EMBARGO WEEK. We should let Apple know that the ultimate power still lies in the hands of its consumers, and that we can choose not to spend money at the iTunes Store. I think the issues are large enough that it could garner significant media attention so as to alert the average iPod user, not just the enthusiasts who read blogs.

It amazes me that TUAW has not commented on the fact that Apple has basically screwed all the people who bought iPod games. They want to charge a FULL price for the EXACT same games to make them work on the new iPods. Basically this sucks. Apple sure is NOT looking out for any of their customers these days.

Games are being offered to new iPod owners, literally pushed at them, that will not play on these units. Apple will not even make refunds!

See here:
http://www.reelsmart.com/2007/09/18/apple-screws-customers-that-bought-games-for-ipod/

Sorry to tell you but it's not a privilege to be able to buy an ipod or any device. Anyone can walk into a store in a public place and buy what's for sale. The courts have already decided that buying a device entitles you to do whatever you want for personal use. This also applies to copy DVD's or CD's, rewiring your house whatever. If you pay for it, it's yours. However, if you violate the terms of the warranty agreement than the manufacturer is under no obligation to support that warranty. That said, I understand why Apple is doing what they are to fix hacks. They are in a partnership with AT&T and they are probably under agreement to support that partnership. I wouldn't use the iPhone as a barometer of Apple's intent. I will never buy a iPhone because of the way cellphone companies structure their contracts. Buy the cheapest phone that gets a decent signal...period. The iTouch, that's a different story. See if Apple is really serious about a device where they control the totality of the experience. If they keep updating the firmware on that device then we're back to the old "we apple and only we can do it right" attitude. Then they'll lose out as the pc world figures out a "good enough" solution that will do what the iTouch does for a lot less money and is hackable. As for iPhone users.....well waited and for good reason. Cellphone companies here have it both ways and they get you both ways. They charge for calls received the same as calls made! If we really had competition somebody would offer what they have in Europe, you pay for the calls you make...period.