Apple’s WWDC-Closing ‘Fuck You’ to iPhone Developers • Hacker News Board

Re: Apple’s WWDC-Closing ‘Fuck You’ to iPhone Developers

#41

Post by joubert » Tue, Jun 16, 2009, 2:26 AM UTC

zacharypinter wrote: post #19

jodrellblank wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

iPhone owners should be able to install whatever they want on the device they purchased. Why? It's such an entrenched idea, but you don't get to rewrite paragraphs of books, or scenes in films, or suits in a pack of playing cards or the firmware in your alarm clock. The iPhone is sold as is, why should we expect to use it any differently?

That's a valid question. I tend to take it as a given, considering that the iPhone is essentially a miniature computer and the past decade or so has thrived on customizable, hackable personal computers. Apple has always wanted to assert extra control on the products they ship. With Mac's, they've controlled the hardware. Now they're trying to control the software. Imagine a version of OS X where every application had…

I had a Crackberry once. Worst thing ever. Email sucked. Browsing sucked. Mapping sucked. Crappy menu system with the actions I wanted to use most frequently buried in the deep abyss of boring, corporate-inspired menu hierarchies. The thing was as ugly as bat shit. I voted with my feet.

Re: Apple’s WWDC-Closing ‘Fuck You’ to iPhone Developers

#42

Post by jonknee » Tue, Jun 16, 2009, 2:27 AM UTC

mattmaroon wrote: post #38

jonknee wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I guess that depends on the user. The user who wanted basic stuff like MMS, multi-tasking and tethering hasn't been getting the best experience.

Or the user who actually uses a phone to make calls.

Heh, I didn't want to start a opinion war but you have a point. One of the iPhone users I know actually went out and bought another phone to use in his car because he was so sick of dropped calls.

Re: Apple’s WWDC-Closing ‘Fuck You’ to iPhone Developers

#43

Post by miles » Tue, Jun 16, 2009, 2:28 AM UTC

Why not link to the original story, instead of blog spam (albeit from a famous blogger)?

Trust, hostility, and the human side of Apple http://www.marco.org/122990476

Re: Apple’s WWDC-Closing ‘Fuck You’ to iPhone Developers

#44

Post by ankhmoop » Tue, Jun 16, 2009, 2:35 AM UTC

GHFigs wrote: post #14

zacharypinter wrote: post #6

I have no objection to Apple running an official App Store with strict rules for compliance. I don't even mind that they take a cut of the profits. However, I find it utterly reprehensible that Apple doesn't allow developers to distribute their applications on their own. iPhone owners should be able to install whatever they want on the device they purchased.

iPhone owners should be able to install whatever they want on the device they purchased. They can. It is the iPhone OS, which they do not own, that does not support this.

No, it's the boot loader, locked to the device that they own, that actively blocks loading unsigned software.

Re: Apple’s WWDC-Closing ‘Fuck You’ to iPhone Developers

#45

Post by lutorm » Tue, Jun 16, 2009, 2:37 AM UTC

jodrellblank wrote: post #8

zacharypinter wrote: post #6

I have no objection to Apple running an official App Store with strict rules for compliance. I don't even mind that they take a cut of the profits. However, I find it utterly reprehensible that Apple doesn't allow developers to distribute their applications on their own. iPhone owners should be able to install whatever they want on the device they purchased.

iPhone owners should be able to install whatever they want on the device they purchased. Why? It's such an entrenched idea, but you don't get to rewrite paragraphs of books, or scenes in films, or suits in a pack of playing cards or the firmware in your alarm clock. The iPhone is sold as is, why should we expect to use it any differently?

Oh but I do get to rewrite paragraphs in books to my hearts desire. I may not be allowed to sell the books so made to others, but in the privacy of my own home I get to do what ever I want. Not so in the case of the iphone et al.

Re: Apple’s WWDC-Closing ‘Fuck You’ to iPhone Developers

#46

Post by quantumhobbit » Tue, Jun 16, 2009, 2:45 AM UTC

mattmaroon wrote: post #38

jonknee wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I guess that depends on the user. The user who wanted basic stuff like MMS, multi-tasking and tethering hasn't been getting the best experience.

Or the user who actually uses a phone to make calls.

This has to be somewhat location specific. AT&T seems to have some of the best reception where I usually spend most of my time, the Gulf and East Coasts. The iPhone seems to get as good or better reception than my old Nokia (disclaimer: this was a very old Nokia). Apparently it is terrible on the West Coast.

Of course these are isolated data points. I do think that Apple has made a mistake by limiting the iPhone to one carrier, especially one that can arouse strong hatred like AT&T.

Re: Apple’s WWDC-Closing ‘Fuck You’ to iPhone Developers

#47

Post by GHFigs » Tue, Jun 16, 2009, 2:45 AM UTC

ujjwalg wrote: post #33

GHFigs wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not like rewriting parts of your book, but about preventing you from using your book as a monitor stand when you no longer want to read it. Bad example. Apple does nothing to prevent you from using an iPhone as a monitor stand, doorstop, hammer, frisbee, or whatever else. The limitations that people complain about all have to do with the software, which like the contents of the book, you do not own.

what the hell are you talking about? I make my own notes within a book. A lot of times I even add things I have read from other sources in the book I buy. Once I own the book, I am allowed to do anything with it as long as I am using it for my own personal use.

You own a copy of the book, but you do not own the contents of the book. Similarly, the owner of an iPhone owns the hardware, but does not own the software. Claiming that one should have the same rights over Apple's software that you have over a copy of a book that you own strikes me as nonsensical.

I understand that people want Apple's software to allow certain things, but I think stating it as if Apple is impinging on the user's rights because it does not is a dishonest exaggeration.

Re: Apple’s WWDC-Closing ‘Fuck You’ to iPhone Developers

#48

Post by djehuty » Tue, Jun 16, 2009, 2:46 AM UTC

mattmaroon wrote: post #38

jonknee wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I guess that depends on the user. The user who wanted basic stuff like MMS, multi-tasking and tethering hasn't been getting the best experience.

Or the user who actually uses a phone to make calls.

I'm sure that's AT&T. I'm in Australia and there's been no such problem personally or from anything I've heard.

Re: Apple’s WWDC-Closing ‘Fuck You’ to iPhone Developers

#49

Post by sev » Tue, Jun 16, 2009, 2:47 AM UTC

mattmaroon wrote: post #38

jonknee wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I guess that depends on the user. The user who wanted basic stuff like MMS, multi-tasking and tethering hasn't been getting the best experience.

Or the user who actually uses a phone to make calls.

Yeah, I experience problems with mine as well. Not dropped calls, but rather the software/OS freezing/crashing more often than it should. I expected much more from Apple in that regard.

Re: Apple’s WWDC-Closing ‘Fuck You’ to iPhone Developers

#50

Post by conquest » Tue, Jun 16, 2009, 2:48 AM UTC

jonknee wrote: post #42

mattmaroon wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or the user who actually uses a phone to make calls.

Heh, I didn't want to start a opinion war but you have a point. One of the iPhone users I know actually went out and bought another phone to use in his car because he was so sick of dropped calls.

I thought the dropped call problems were over until yesterday. I have to turn off 3G in order to make a call. This phone is pathetic when it comes to making calls. My razr was so much better as a phone.