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5 reasons to avoid iPhone 3G

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Re: 5 reasons to avoid iPhone 3G

#41

Post by evgen »

apgwoz wrote: post #34
tstegart wrote: post #24

Ok, using logic 'n all, a lot of the arguments don't make sense. Which is sad, because put differently, I'm sure whoever wrote them could have made them effective. The iPhone does not completely block free software. Last time I checked, there was free software available in the App Store. Developers are welcome to release their code I presume. A lesser argument to the response that Apple decides what is and is not on…

> The iPhone does not completely block free software. Last time I checked, there was free software available in the App Store. Developers are welcome to release their code I presume. Yes, there is software in the AppStore that is gratis, and developers can of course share their code. However, I can't recompile it and run it on my iPhone right away without it being distributed through the AppStore. Will Apple reject a…

Actaully, you can recompile it and run it on your iphone by getting the SDK and dev tools. How do you think that developers test their programs? I tell xcode to compile the app and if my phone is plugged in it automatically uploads it. The AdHoc distribution model (still be be enabled or explained in much detail) also suggests that you will be able to distribute your app to up to 100 other users.

Re: 5 reasons to avoid iPhone 3G

#42

Post by LogicHoleFlaw »

felideon wrote: post #15
ozanonay wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Perhaps because it's a delight to use and look at? Occasionally, when something is designed better than any other comparable device, you have to pay to use it. In this case, you pay by following a few of their rules.

Right. And unless my main reason for buying a mobile phone is "for hacking," I don't see why I should pay $400 for the alternative (i.e. the Neo FreeRunner) when the iPhone "just works"--and nicely at that. How sure are we that the Neo FreeRunner would even be stable enough for use as a main phone? When the day comes that I want to hack my phone, I'll get the FreeRunner. (Hopefully by then it'll be cheaper.) For now,…

Only a minority of users need to have the inclination to hack their phone for all of them to benefit. Locking out Free Software is ultimately a short-sighted approach to releasing a new software platform.

Re: 5 reasons to avoid iPhone 3G

#43

Post by bct »

rit wrote: post #7

I'll really try to take that whole rant with a grain of salt. Yes, I realize I'm locked into "apple's DRM" - if I buy from the iTunes store. I buy from Amazon MP3, or I rip CDs (those are the 3 ways to get music on my iPhone, right? ;)) to MP3. No DRM lockin there... Yes, it doesn't happen to play FLAC/OGG but I can easily transcode FLAC to Apple Lossless if I want - and back again - and I have yet to hear anyone exp…

> Surprisingly, just because it doesn't have GNU/ tacked on the front of it, a product can be innovative and interesting despite it not being Open Source.

Nobody thinks that only open source (or Free) software can be interesting or innovative. If you think that's the issue, you haven't been reading very carefully.

> I know this comes as a surprise to RMS and his FSF hippies.

Was that sentence really necessary?

Re: 5 reasons to avoid iPhone 3G

#44

Post by pavelludiq »

tstegart wrote: post #37
apgwoz wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The iPhone does not completely block free software. Last time I checked, there was free software available in the App Store. Developers are welcome to release their code I presume. Yes, there is software in the AppStore that is gratis, and developers can of course share their code. However, I can't recompile it and run it on my iPhone right away without it being distributed through the AppStore. Will Apple reject a…

You're right, the definition of free software they use makes things very sticky. But while there might be restrictions on what applications can be made, Apple hasn't said they will restrict free versions of other people's software. I mean, sure, you can't probably get Firefox on your iphone, but if people wanted to get together and create a free version of an application that someone else is selling, sort of like Ope…

"if you don't like Apple's system, don't buy it. Buy the phone that's better."

exactly what i will do with the freeruner. Screw apple :D

Re: 5 reasons to avoid iPhone 3G

#45

Post by mattmaroon »

jotto wrote: post #36
newt0311 wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why not instead have optional quality? Provide a set of approved programs but still let users install what ever they want.

Doesn't Microsoft Windows kind of do this? You can optionally use these "certified drivers" and software from big vendors, but there are always the long tail of apps, widgets, bleeding edge drivers, smiley faces etc, that people will always download and spoil the user experience. Point is, it doesn't work for Microsoft. It's a slippery slope, once you open your platform to anyone (which is great), you'll have a night…

Right, the problem is, people blame the quality problems on Microsoft no matter where they originate. It's not worth going down that path for Apple, as they've somehow built a reputation around "it just works" despite the fact that it doesn't seem to be any more true from them than anyone else.

Re: 5 reasons to avoid iPhone 3G

#46

Post by jodrellblank »

rit wrote: post #7

I'll really try to take that whole rant with a grain of salt. Yes, I realize I'm locked into "apple's DRM" - if I buy from the iTunes store. I buy from Amazon MP3, or I rip CDs (those are the 3 ways to get music on my iPhone, right? ;)) to MP3. No DRM lockin there... Yes, it doesn't happen to play FLAC/OGG but I can easily transcode FLAC to Apple Lossless if I want - and back again - and I have yet to hear anyone exp…

> and I have yet to hear anyone explain to me what OGG gives me that mp3 doesn't

The right to use - or as a developer, create - a program that can play/record music in that format without permission from, or payment to, the people who developed and patented said format.

The right to read the file format specification and change it to suit your own use without consulting or paying anyone or breaking the law.

You are explaining how you download music in MP3 format to avoid DRM restrictions - but the MP3 format itself is locked-in and restricted.

Yes things are innovative and interesting while being restricted, but they aren't free if they are restricted. That is, they can't be used to build more innovative and interesting things (without permission or payment) if they are restricted.

Re: 5 reasons to avoid iPhone 3G

#47

Post by davidw »

crescendo wrote: post #14

A snake oil salesman not satisfied with his business of pushing proprietary software and Digital Restrictions Management (DRM) technology into your home, Jobs has set his sights on getting DRM and proprietary software into your pocket as well. Is it just me, or does the rhetoric from FSF often times border on spiteful? Snake oil salesman? Come on, guys. You're not going to win over sensible people with this kind of a…

They're shooting themselves in the foot with their poor communications. I'm basically in agreement in that I don't want some proprietary system I can't fiddle with, but they need to cast hackers as people who want to have fun and create cool things, not as a bunch of venomous haters who are jealous of Jobs' (well deserved, IMO) success.

Re: 5 reasons to avoid iPhone 3G

#48

Post by boucher »

apgwoz wrote: post #29
extantproject wrote: post #3

All cell phones expose "your whereabouts and [provide] ways for others to track you without your knowledge" via cell tower triangulation. At a minimum, this point is FUD.

But do other cell phones provide novices an SDK and a few simple functions to get position via GPS and do a HTTP POSTs while entering an item in "Joe's shopping list" application? Perhaps they do, but without a constant connection to wifi or EDGE/3G that the iPhone has, you'd have to authorize it, in order for it to be sent. Probably not so with the iPhone. It's designed to constantly talk to the Internet (it's even…

You are asked before the first time any application is allowed to use your current location. So, this point is ridiculous.

Re: 5 reasons to avoid iPhone 3G

#49

Post by tstegart »

evgen wrote: post #41
apgwoz wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The iPhone does not completely block free software. Last time I checked, there was free software available in the App Store. Developers are welcome to release their code I presume. Yes, there is software in the AppStore that is gratis, and developers can of course share their code. However, I can't recompile it and run it on my iPhone right away without it being distributed through the AppStore. Will Apple reject a…

Actaully, you can recompile it and run it on your iphone by getting the SDK and dev tools. How do you think that developers test their programs? I tell xcode to compile the app and if my phone is plugged in it automatically uploads it. The AdHoc distribution model (still be be enabled or explained in much detail) also suggests that you will be able to distribute your app to up to 100 other users.

Yeah, from what I can tell, ad-hoc distribution will take care of a lot of the issues. My understanding is anyone can develop any application and install it on their own phone and up to 100 other users, without authority from Apple. You save the $99 fee, and you can make whatever you like.

Re: 5 reasons to avoid iPhone 3G

#50

Post by tstegart »

pavelludiq wrote: post #44
tstegart wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're right, the definition of free software they use makes things very sticky. But while there might be restrictions on what applications can be made, Apple hasn't said they will restrict free versions of other people's software. I mean, sure, you can't probably get Firefox on your iphone, but if people wanted to get together and create a free version of an application that someone else is selling, sort of like Ope…

"if you don't like Apple's system, don't buy it. Buy the phone that's better." exactly what i will do with the freeruner. Screw apple :D

You've got it right. Its all about value. If you value having a phone that can play OGG files, then you won't buy the iPhone. If you can't stand iTunes, you'll do it different. The original author's argument would only be compelling if there were no other alternatives. But with Android coming out, his argument falls short. Just don't buy it.
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