“It’s possible to use Apple’s iPods and iPhone with third-party software, and BluWiki’s users wanted to make sure the world could find out how. Apple, however, was not fond of the situation and threatened BluWiki with legal action if the information was not removed. Now, BluWiki’s operators are suing Apple in hopes of protecting the free speech of their users and getting a declaratory judgment that posting information does not violate the DMCA.”
I can’t wait to see how this turns out.
This could get messy. It could spoil Apple’s image.
Hope they know where/when to stop.
For those who know me on here, I am an Apple fan. Now that I have that out… ARE YOU SERIOUS???
I really think this is getting lame. So a product is out in the market and others have found ways to use it differently…. if they change software or settings on that product then they void support… but it’s their call.
Do you ever see car manufacturers stopping all the sites and people who mod their interiors, sound system, engine, etc? Or publishers going after people who cut out the insides of books and use it to secretly hide things?
Wouldn’t they rather let people do this on the small chance they’d buy another iPod to tinker on then be like this and potentially lose customers/sales?
Edited 2009-04-27 22:52 UTC
Though car manufacturers create special tools to deal and put parts in odd, difficult areas to support their own mechanics.
I’d say it’s just an American/U.S. thing but my VW Golf has the headlight release in such a position that it can’t be done by hand.
I’m really upset with Apple over the way they use the iPod line. I don’t mind that they want to make money because most everyone does. It’s the idea that they don’t provide software for *BSD and Linux or even an SDK so people can interface to an iPod, so then they further try to restrict access to what is known.
They make Microsoft-like moves and yet, the fanatics don’t see it that way. I still want my Apple products but eventually, someone else will finish a system that works for me and Apple will push me away once too often.
What a brain dead analogy. This is about the entire iPhone structure with iTunes and much, much more that deals with the distribution of all content via iTunes for the iPod/iPod Touch/iPhone and AppleTV platforms.
Apple wins this one.
I am sorry, the car analogy is quite appropriate.
If Apple made cars and you bought one you would be able to:
=> Drive on any road and stop anywhere you like – the Internet.
=> Use whatever tires fit, and to paint it as you like – protective covers and accessories.
=> Play any CD you like as long as it is a confirmed store bought original.
You would NOT:
=> Be allowed to listen to any radio stations not approved by Apple.
=> When you place the store bought original CD in the player the songs will be read and stored. The CD will be destroyed, but as an eco-friendly gesture they found a way to burn it cleanly in the engine.
=> Make repairs – the hood would be locked with a key you would not receive. Attempting to even open the hood puts you at risk, but God help you did and then wrote about what you saw.
=> If Apple makes a GPS for your car you can have that GPS. You would prefer or maybe even already own a Garmin or TomTom? Too BAD! Try to use a non-Apple GPS and the next time your car’s computers get updated it will simply cease to function.
That is Apple’s brand of freedom. I disagree with it.
Not one of my vehicles has ever stayed “Original.” My current one came without keyless entry, it has it now – manufacturer version to boot! The information on how to program the first remote without taking the car to the dealer can be found on the Internet. The person(s) who posted this information have never been threatened with lawsuits.
My Cell phones are the same. My Treo 650 (recently retired) can use up to 8GB SDHC memory. It was manufactured to use a max of 1GB non-HC. My current phone is an HTC 8525 – don’t get me started, the list is a long one. Suffice it say, that if I did to an iPhone what I have done to my HTC Apple would be seeking the death penalty in my case, and I am hardly alone.
I will NEVER own any Apple phone as long as Apple continues to have a desire to not only keep a choke hold on the product but on information about the product as well.
…that the legal departments of some companies just get bored and want something to do.
I guess lawyers are no different than coders then. I know if I have the choice between dull maintainace coding on some legacy codebase and working something new and exciting that I’ve always wanted to try I’ll chose the latter.
The fact that the latter choice will take me several tries to get right, quite likely end in failure and technically isn’t even that great an idea to begin with won’t dissuade me in slightest.
I also like a number of Apple products, but sometimes I just want to smack them silly for stunts like this that they pull.
It’s stunts like this that have, recently, made me determined to get away from Apple products. I was an Apple fan for a long time, but I am seriously turned away by stunts like this. What’s next, they’re going to sue Canonical for providing instructions on how to install Ubuntu onto a Macbook? It sounds ridiculous, perhaps, but all it takes is one precedent and I’ve no doubt Apple would try it; They’d be Big Brother if they had the resources and the clout to back it up.
A take on Skeletor’s comment[1] (I’m sure wired will agree):
An apple a day keep freedom away
An apple a day keeps a lawyer at bay
No Apple products in my household as result of stunts like this (and arbitrary lock-in). People fought hard for freedom of speech, just to watch others give up their (and others) rights for shiny beads.
You have the power to change this. Apple needs you and your money more than you need them. Instead of nodding your head, make it clear that you won’t buy their products until things change.
Vote with your wallet.
[1] http://www.osnews.com/permalink?360007
I don’t know why this one did not appear on OSNews.com but here is something that will satisfy your frustration:
Apple sued in ‘exceptional’ case of multi-touch infringement
http://www.betanews.com/article/Apple-sued-in-exceptional-case-of-m…
If that link is not enough, here is another one:
Apple found guilty of patent infringement
http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/04/24/apple-found-guilty-of-pate…
In my own opinion, Apple is a bully, nothing else!
Edited 2009-04-28 10:20 UTC
i submitted the ars technica version of the second link, didn’t get picked up though.
I have an iPod (Nano), and I’ve made a number of iTunes purchases.
No more. When my iPod gives out, I’m replacing it with a competing product.
I no longer buy from iTunes, thanks to their locked-in formats and DRM.
And, gee, thanks Apple, for allowing me to pay you more for the priveledge to unlock those tunes.
To which I say “why don’t y’all … take your paid-for-DRM-unlocker …… and shove it up your @ss!!”.
Besides, the better tunes I purchased from iTunes I’ve burned to CDs, and then subsequently ripped those from CDs, effectively stripping out the crap, for free. It takes some time, but that’s worth it to me, because stupid-@ss Apple can’t screw me anymore.
So, I purchase all my mp3s from Amazon or eMusic – no DRM, no locked in formats, no limitations.
And now all this stuff with them trying to limite people’s free speech. I really hope the counter suit reams Apple.
All that said, I do realize that Apple offers premium products – slick, sexy, relatively high quality. But all that comes at a price – extra $$$, as well as sacrificing one’s fair use rights.
And I want Apple to succeed – they give good competition to MS. I just want them to succeed in a less lock-in oriented, less consumer hostile, less-overzealous lawyers, fashion.
Just put out a great product at a fair price with fair use licensing, and all things will be just dandy. And try to do it without going around suing people for their free speech.
Until Apple does all those things, they can just stuff it!
Edited 2009-04-28 17:18 UTC
Send the working one to me. Too bad you were cheap and didn’t get the iPod Touch. I could use an extra dev device.
For every Linux [I’m writing on Debian 2.6.29] zealot whining about Apple giving away their entire central software management system for the mobile platforms division, I’ll cite you one million happy customers.
One *hardly* needs to be a Linux zealot to object to Apple’s heavy handed tactics.
Please cut the name calling and stick to the topic at hand.
Linux had nothing to do with the topic at hand–I say had, since I’m sure it will now with your attempt to derail the conversation.
Rather than derail the conversation, give an honest answer about what you think of Apple’s antics when it comes to lock-in and suing anyone who attempts to find a way around it, or uses their devices in a way they don’t want you to. It comes back to the post-sale restriction idea, though Apple’s lawyers are clever enough to invoke the DMCA to conveniently mask this fact. So, on topic… Do you actually agree with Apple’s behavior? Answer honestly… if Apple will let you, that is. The real issue here isn’t which system people are using, it’s Apple’s behavior and the precedent it is likely to set.
I guess I will add myself to the list of once happy Apple users who got so fed up with their pre-monopolistic practices (seriously, imagine if they had Microsoft’s market share), that they dumped everything.
My list of gear around 1 year ago:
– 1st gen iPhone (upgraded from Treo 650).
– C2D Macbook
– iPod
My list of gear today:
– Treo 650 (yep, I went back, now waiting for an Android phone or maybe Pre depending on how it turns out).
– Non-Apple 11″ high spec laptop (which Apple seem to forget people would want) running Ubuntu 9.04
– iPod on it’s last legs (to be replaced by another company’s product or my next smartphone will fill the role).
Got so tired of Apple’s antics, that I dumped their stuff. It’s funny though, but if you go by what people say on the Apple forums, there isn’t such a thing as a reverse switcher. Well little do they know, that those people who haven’t visited the forum for a while will likely never return.
Hey, I’d boycott them… except that the last Apple product I liked enough to buy was an Apple ][+ in 1980.
I love apple’s hardware. They make the best mp3 players, IMO. And I used to love their iTunes, but I’m quickly moving away from them. Too many things going on with them, including their price increases. I’ve been using Amazon more and more and am very happy. Not only are their prices lower, but they have awesome promotions like their $5 for Friday and their daily MP3 album downloads which are usually around $2 for a complete MP3 album. iTunes can’t touch that. I usually grab two or three a week. I track them with this convenient website/gadget so I never miss a deal:
http://www.frugalgadgets.com/