Over the years Microsoft have been at the sharp end of attacks from all fronts for their business practices and rightly so. What I don’t get is why people then run into the arms of a company that is arguably far far worse.
You only need to take a quick glance at how Apple conducts itself to realise it is a company that uses DRM, Obscurity and lock-in as a weapon. Here are some examples of practices that would have Microsoft in front of the DOJ and EU if they attempted to use them.
- Tie OS to their own hardware.
- Tie music they sell to their own hardware.
- Tie media player to their hardware.
- Block ability for user to replace batteries.
- Block applications that compete with their own.
- Use hidden API’s then block others from using them.
How dare I say all that about Apple. I can already see the queue of fan boys screaming for my blood as I write this.
At least people are starting to question these practices. Apple have been forced to sell DRM free music instead of music tied to their products via their (un)Fair Play DRM. What triggered this change? The fear of being forced to open their DRM to others, including MS.
Yes I know about the open letter calling for the end to DRM from Mr Jobs. That sham worked well for Apple. If Mr Jobs believed in his words OSX would not use DRM to tie it to their hardware and the iPhone would not use DRM to tie it to carriers or control who can write applications for it.
Their actions after the letter say far more on their stance on DRM than the lies in the letter.
If you buy Apple because you like the products that is fine. Don’t believe they are the nice friendly company that only has its customers interests at heart, they are just like Microsoft or any other big company.
The only people that really matter to Apple, along with any other big company, are the shareholders!
Why do you buy Apple?
