Return of the Apple we know and love?

Actually, the things people have been most annoyed about with Apple recently is Apple's 'control' antics - preventing 3rd party apps, breaking them - either not providing alternatives or asking for money for them.

In the recent years it has been shown that people don't like DRM, they don't like being told how they should be using 'their' hardware. People don't want to be told music they paid for can only be on two devices. Or it runs out in a month. Maybe we will get used to this thing in the future and will stop complaining about it.

But until then, I think we have a right to voice exactly what we want from our technology - which includes, what software can I use on hardware I bought from 'you'.

And yes, Apple is a corporation. And like any corporation, Apple has to market its product to the current generation of consumers. And if those consumers want open technology, then Apple has to cater for it. If only a small amount of consumers care about 'open' technology then Apple has to weigh the decision to piss off those consumers (including potential consumers) and the effect of image and word of mouth that those 'pissed off' set of consumers will have on Apple's overall sales. Remember Apple is a brand with an image.

You have to remember that Apple isn't completely like every other corporation. Apple is different and that is shown in its innovation, its pride, the fact it wants to make beautiful products - and does make beautiful products - these just aren't pure business decisions - there are ppl at Apple who take pride in their work - not just how much money they make. But how they make it too. We have a lot to owe Apple for the way it has uplifted the technology (computer and music) industry which its standards in many areas

"isn't even close to back in the clear yet"

???

I didn't know this was the "Unofficial Apple Hater Weblog".

Its a bit of a twist, Apple begins as a small and cultish computer manufacture, then with all the excellent hardware software solutions not to mention the iPod "Halo" effect, Apple is beginning to make a fairly large return.

Steve may be more at "fault" here than Apple. He knows the base of Fanboys, the Apple Fanatics over the years he's used them to keep Apple afloat. Apple is a big boy now, and Steve knows this. How do you cater to your base with out pissing them off? You can't. He knows it. He's left the sandbox and its time the fanboys left as well. Doesn't that sound like Steve though? He will just drop things and pretend it never happened. In other words $100 store credit may be a botched attempt for Steve to save face, for the rest of the industry its rarely heard of. You in fact may see less and less of this from Apple.

In my view when I purchased the iphone, I knew I was paying the "premium". But I didn't know Apple would drop the price in a matter of a couple of months. In fact, the day apple charged for firmware upgrades to the Airport Express Cards so it can work at N speeds was kind of the wake up call.

Apple is going to kick ass as they should. They've helped redefine the computer and music industry. I can't wait and see what happens with the movie and phone industry but I will be mindful when I buy Apple products. I may wait longer now before making purchases. Something I should have done before.

They are in a much different place then before and that's fine. As long as they continue to make the best hard/software out there.

I'm curious though, when Apple comes out with an SDK for the iPhone next year...will that change their emerging policy about fixing/replacing bricked iphones? From what I know they won't officially repair or fix unlocked/hacked phones. This is key I think, being that it will be a REAL platform..instead of using Ajax or other web related programming languages.

"Yes, Edwin. Apple's decision to only allow iTunes ringtones was a business decision."

thanks for confirming.

I am not especially happy, either about iLife / iWork. iLife's model really does not play well with other applications. iWork can't be sold as a bundle, when you only want one of the three applications.

Yes, Edwin. Apple's decision to only allow iTunes ringtones was a business decision. Just like turning the lights off at night is a business decision. Just like putting toilet paper in their restrooms is a business decision.

Your flaming accusations of "Apple crippling" your ability to make your own ringtones and "good 'ol Apple PREVENTING consumers" from using any non-iTunes ringtones make me wish your employer had made the business decision to put toilet paper in their restrooms.

The real question is if Apple made a justifiable business decision or not.

Sure it stinks that you can't make your own ringtones. It smells to me like Apple took a load of crap from the music companies and had to drop the pre-launch policy to let you squeeze out your own ringtones and settled on the laxative of iTunes only ringtones. It's not a case of passing incomplete software. Unless the music companies soften their stance on the foggy stench of ringtone royalties, you're in the position now of waiting for fully formed, impenetrable software loaded with the ability to separate the royalty free music you produce from the undigested sounds put out by the music companies.

"If you're saying it's a business decision because Apple faced the Music industries threat to pay for ringtones or they pull out of iTunes, then yes it was a business decision.

If you're saying it was Apple's business decision to charge for and limit the use of ringtones so they can reap less than 10% of the fee for ringtones, they I say you're wrong."

Then you acknowledge that Apple's crippling of my ability to set ringtones was a business decision and not a result of incomplete software. Thank you for clearing this up.

@WW Firmware for my Zune totally buys me another iPod, case and or speaker system.

Just don't take the WHITE MacBooks away! Please! The new iMacs look like they've been disguised as DELLs! And now white is gone on the iPods too? I just want my sleek white Apple products back.

"Which one is it?"

If you're saying it's a business decision because Apple faced the Music industries threat to pay for ringtones or they pull out of iTunes, then yes it was a business decision.

If you're saying it was Apple's business decision to charge for and limit the use of ringtones so they can reap less than 10% of the fee for ringtones, they I say you're wrong.

If and when a magic copyright tag (or other software solution) is developed, then you'll be able to load up your own garageband or copyright friendly ringtones. Or you can petition the music industry to quit asking for royalties on ringtones.