Apples, Walled Gardens, and Screw Deals - Oh My!

[40hz]

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[Deozaan]

[phitsc]

That really sucks

[JavaJones]

Ouch. I would never recommend anyone trust Apple or really any other big company for your business model, at least more than you have to. But this is still pretty crappy.

- Oshyan

[steeladept]

Agreed.  They didn't have the chance to fail, and that is what really sucks.  My only question is what about the other players out there?  Android, Windows Phone, RIMM, etc.  iProducts are not the only ones out there, and Microsoft, in particular is reaching to those developers to develop on the Windows Phone platform as well.  Perhaps they can/could have salvaged the company by diversification and dropping Apple like a bad habit.  Just a thought.

[Eóin]

Yeah I kind of agree. Android is already beating Apples market share, they should have tried switching platform. Though if they didn't write portable code, that could be difficult.

[40hz]

Yeah I kind of agree. Android is already beating Apples market share, they should have tried switching platform. Though if they didn't write portable code, that could be difficult.

Problem is it isn't just the code. It's obtaining content. That's where they got blindsided.

And Apple wasn't the only guilty party - even if they were the instigator. The other part of the burn deal was how all the major book publishers lined up behind Apple with an agency arrangement that effectively shuts out the little guys.

I think you'll be seeing more independent innovation get swallowed up this way. Small outfits will come up with the idea and the first apps. And the big boys like Apple will then sign them up just to see what happens. Most times it won't be something where they'll see enough profit potential to move in on it immediately. But that doesn't matter because it costs them nothing to adopt a wait & see attitude. And they have all the time they need since they control the platform.

However, once something looks like it will really take off big time, all it will take is a rule change to push the innovators out so the big companies can take over and "properly exploit the opportunities" such an emerging "new use" will create.

In short: only the 'big players' need apply.

Nothing to see here, folks! Just business as usual...now move along!  

[steeladept]

Problem is it isn't just the code. It's obtaining content. That's where they got blindsided.

Except they already had the content.  They got the agreements with the publishers, they had the required DRM, and they had the application on a viable platform.  The only thing that changed was the payment rules of the platform.  Therefore, if possible, change platform and keep on trucking.  Of course that is the caveat, isn't it?

[Target]

However, once something looks like it will really take off big time, all it will take is a rule change to push the innovators out so the big companies can take over and "properly exploit the opportunities" such an emerging "new use" will create.

seems like this is an 'innovative' take on an old tactic

In the past the big guys paid squillions to buy up the competition.  Apple seems to have come up with a new approach where they make money out of closing the competition, then more money by capitalising on the 'new' opportunities...

[40hz]

The only thing that changed was the payment rules of the platform.

Which the publishers got behind knowing full well it would price iFlowReader out of the market.

That short 8-hour notice before the publishers (as a group) pulled on iFlowReader and went over to Apple was a coordinated and well planned "hit" if I ever saw one. Moves like that don't just happen without extensive prior arrangements being made. Ask anyone who ever managed a major database just how easy a big update like that would be. They'll be the first to tell you all the pieces had to have been in place long before the announced 8-hour deadline went into effect. Those eight hours were probably only used to make the data change "official" and run a final test on it.

And now that the agency model is in place (assuming Apple didn't obtain exclusive or preferential distribution rights like they usually try for) there's no reason why the publishers would want to offer any different deals to the other platforms.

Nor is there reason for any of the other platforms (Android, et al.) to be interested in offering any different deal to their app authors.

As the matter of a fact, why deal with an indy developer at all? Why not just create the app in house for themselves and keep 100% of all revenues including the app sale? After all, if Apple can demand and get 30%, why should the other platforms accept any less - or cut in anybody else in for a slice of their pie?

Like Target pointed out, it's old wine in new bottles.

This particular vintage is called Sorry Charlie Chianti.

[Renegade]

I'll keep my opinion on Apple to myself rather than spew venom.

However, I will make a note that similar tactics have been used for a long time by large companies to drive smaller companies out of business.

Here's the Modus Operandi:

• Create big store
• Sell "bread and butter" products below what small stores can afford
• Wait for small stores to close

Small stores used to carry specialty items to keep customers happy and coming back. That doesn't happen anymore. You can't buy specialty items at retail now. You get $0.50 products for $12.95 instead, because there's nobody that can compete anymore. If you want a specialty item, well, get it online or don't get it because there are no stores anymore that serve customers. And no... I don't believe that a greeter or a forced smile is a substitute for competence.

Apple is doing the same thing -- making it impossible for anyone to do business except for them.

Yay. Capitalism at work. Making the markets "more efficient" because that's "good for consumers"...

Right.

[Renegade]

I think this sums up a lot:

Sadly, the America that we thought we were working in turned out to be a totalitarian regime and the dictator decided that he wanted all of what we had. Our dream is now over.

For emailing:

If you think that this move by Apple is contrary to your interests as an iOS user then we urge you to email a complaint to Apple by clicking on the link below:

Email to: Steve Jobs, Philip Schiller, and Developer Programs at Apple ( sjobs@apple.com - schiller@apple.com - devprograms@apple.com )

Apple makes it so hard to justify developing for their platforms...

[40hz]

Apple makes it so hard to justify developing for their platforms...

I think it's more accurate to say "impossible to justify" - unless your business 'plan' amounts to little more than: getting as much as possible for as long as possible* while waiting for the inevitable sucker punch.

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* Don't laugh. I saw that exact phrase in the business plan of a small tech start-up where it was listed as the key element in their overall strategy. Good grief! And these guys wondered why they were having so much trouble securing venture funding with something as unintentionally hilarious as that? 

[rxantos]

Why not simply stop developing for Apple and concentrate on the Android?

In fact, instead of writing to Apple (which will do no good), write to congress. Ask for a stronger anti-monopoly law. Make it so companies cannot disallow competitive stores.

If enough people do this, Apple will be forced to spend more money on government kickbacks to avoid an antimonopoly law. Everything will stay the same, but hey, you feel better.

Then again, who knows, car manufacturers had a monopoly on parts, and if you put even oil not made by the manufacturer, you lost the warranty. But congress made this illegal. So is possible that a pro consumer anti monopoly law can be passed.

[Renegade]

Why not simply stop developing for Apple and concentrate on the Android?

In fact, instead of writing to Apple (which will do no good), write to congress. Ask for a stronger anti-monopoly law. Make it so companies cannot disallow competitive stores.

If enough people do this, Apple will be forced to spend more money on government kickbacks to avoid an antimonopoly law. Everything will stay the same, but hey, you feel better.

Then again, who knows, car manufacturers had a monopoly on parts, and if you put even oil not made by the manufacturer, you lost the warranty. But congress made this illegal. So is possible that a pro consumer anti monopoly law can be passed.

I posted here:

http://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=26731.0

About a few things that I thought might be good for contract laws and EULAs. That could be a start to what isn't allowed. It would be nice if there were a law that you couldn't be a "super dick". Everyone can be a dick at times, but man... This takes the cake. Way over the top.

[zridling]

Ah yes, and corporate jerks like Apple is these days is why I've been happy to take my devices to the Linux side. At least there I can choose how deep I want to dive into proprietary hell rather than have it shoved up my arse. (And don't look for politicians to help -- anyone on those relevant committees has already been bought and sold 100 times over to assure enough cash for their reelection.)

[superboyac]

Ah yes, and corporate jerks like Apple is these days is why I've been happy to take my devices to the Linux side. At least there I can choose how deep I want to dive into proprietary hell rather than have it shoved up my arse. (And don't look for politicians to help -- anyone on those relevant committees has already been bought and sold 100 times over to assure enough cash for their reelection.)

Seriously.  It feels like the whole system is set up to make us just...stuck.  I've been racking my brain recently to figure out how I can live a life where everyone just leaves me alone.  I almost just want a cabin in the woods with an internet connection, and that's it.  no mortgage, no personal ties except for a few close friends maybe, no monthly bills (other than the internet connection).  i really want to get out of this whole system that makes me toil for no real personal purpose...just work, try to get more money...why?  just to pay for everything that I don't really care about anyway.  Easier said than done, that's my little fantasy, though.

[40hz]

I just watched an interesting travelogue about Antarctica.

Almost made me wish I pursued that PhD so somebody down there would hire me for either the US or Ukranian station. I'd sign up for the "winter over" shift in a heartbeat the way I've been feeling lately. As long as I had three dozen books, a computer, a musical instrument or two, and a web connection, I'd be happy there. Or pretty much anywhere else, as long as it wasn't hot and humid, and I didn't really know anybody.

[superboyac]

I just watched an interesting travelogue about Antarctica.

Almost made me wish I pursued that PhD so somebody down there would hire me for either the US or Ukranian station. I'd sign up for the "winter over" shift in a heartbeat the way I've been feeling lately. As long as I had three dozen books, a computer, a musical instrument or two, and a web connection, I'd be happy there. Or pretty much anywhere else, as long as it wasn't hot and humid, and I didn't really know anybody.

Damn...talk about kindred spirits.  Sounds perfect to me.  I've been planning on sort of itemizing the costs of such a lifestyle.  It's really quite cheap.  All I need to do after that is really, honestly ask myself if I can actually pull it off.  i think I can, but I'm also aware of my human condition to be perpetually dissatisfied.  So I don't really know.  not enough to do anything about it quite yet.

[phitsc]

Interesting though that the one thing you guys would not want to give up is the web connection. It's weird how important the web has become in our lives, something that did not exist in the current form a mere 20 years ago.

[Stoic Joker]

Interesting though that the one thing you guys would not want to give up is the web connection. It's weird how important the web has become in our lives, something that did not exist in the current form a mere 20 years ago.

That ones been bugging me to. How exactly do you go "off-the-grid", while being on the internet? Aren't those sort of diametrically apposed concepts?

[40hz]

^It is interesting...

When I first wrote my list of essential takealongs, the books, musical instrument(s), and computer got put down immediately.  Mainly because I've been thinking about this subject for a very long time. But as I was looking at the list, it somehow didn't look quite right. After some additional thought, I realized I really wouldn't want to completely give up a web connection. At least not by choice.

So you're right. The web has changed many people's perspectives in very deep and subtle ways. I know the reason why having that link is important to me. But that reason doesn't go into words that easily. At least for me. Which is further indication some deeper thought processes are involved.

Gonna have to ponder that one a bit and see if I can articulate my reasons why the web would be a factor in my current notion of happiness. Because it didn't used to be.

Hmm...

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P.S. I also realized I left out one other absolutely essential item from my 'happiness' list: coffee!  :  

[40hz]

Interesting though that the one thing you guys would not want to give up is the web connection. It's weird how important the web has become in our lives, something that did not exist in the current form a mere 20 years ago.

That ones been bugging me to. How exactly do you go "off-the-grid", while being on the internet?

You're absolutely right. You can't.

But in my case I wouldn't want to go completely off the grid. (Unless maybe the Feds were after me. )

I'm thinking more in terms of 'simplifying' and 'paring down' rather than 'abandoning.'

Despite occasional lapses of patience with what I consider stupidity, I very much enjoy the company of other people. Even if it's just online. Because you really can't live alone. Even in Antarctica!

Actually, when you think about it, the more remote a place you go to, the more you'll need to depend on what few people are there simply to survive. So if you want to eliminate the need to depend on other people any more than you have to, a big city is a far better choice of residence since so many human interactions have been replaced by automation in areas of dense population.

A guy living in a penthouse in New York City has a better opportunity to live completely alone than does some guy counting penguins on a glacier shelf.

Rather paradoxical.

If you truly want to be alone, your best bet is a dense population center.   

[superboyac]

I've thought about this lately, and this is how I justify it to myself.  It's not being on or off the grid that is my end goal.  It's not like I have some psychological problem with technology and I want to clean myself of it.  My problem is the rat race, i don't care for it.  but I also know that I do very much like the modern conveniences like internet, and am dependant on it for just about everything.  My main "fear" is with the global financial system...I feel helpless in it.  If I choose to participate as I'm doing now, I'm just going to go after more and more money, all with the purpose of helping me achieve my true desires ultimately.  But I'm not seeing an end to it.  It's just going to be me chasing after money and all the things that go along with it.  And I don't care for it.

That's why a possible solution is to just go out and live in the middle of nowhere.  Garden for food, work with your neighbors to fill each other's missing needs (i.e. a community).  But for the most part, I'll have financial freedom.  I wouldn't need too much to live that way.  The reason why I need to computer is so I can focus on creating content, learning, exploring, which is a requirement for me.  I can consume the media through the interent, produce my own work on the computer and websites.  If I were to try to do this 100 years ago, instead of having a computer/internet, I'd like to be relatively close to a university.  I need somewhere to get knowledge and explore and communicate ideas to people.  That's why the internet is required.  How's that, 40?

[40hz]

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