The problem is most of the people that use Apples products are so blinded by a misguided sense of loyalty that they let them get away with things for which Microsoft would be crucified.
Say what you will about Microsoft (and I would probably agree with almost all of it), but can you imagine the public outcry and congressional investigations that would result if Microsoft tried to ban third-party software that competed directly with any of it's own offerings (for instance Firefox/Opera/OpenOffice/AIM/Etc.)? But it's OK for Apple to decide what software you're allowed to purchase for your own iPhone? Oh, and they can disable anything they want even after you've purchased it as well? They won't even let people write drivers for third-party bluetooth keyboards.
Can Apple legally do this... maybe. And if you disagree with the "maybe", think about the anti-trust cases against Microsoft surrounding the bundling of IE as anti-competitive.
Regardless, I won't be buying an iPhone unless they completely open it up, something that will never happen while Steve "Proprietary Lock-in" Jobs is in charge. Apple makes wonderful products as long as you use them they way Apple wants you to use them. But if for some reason you "Think Different" than Apple, you're SOL.
The best of ZDNet, delivered
ZDNet Newsletters
Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox
