Apple is the new evil empire

[Lias]

http://www.pcworld.com/article/161290/apple_suicide_obsessive_control.html


How does a tech company spell suicide in 2009? D-R-M. Word is going around that the masters of the universe at Apple have embedded a DRM-type chip into the headphones of the new iPod Shuffle. That means that without that chip -- either in an adapter or a new pair of headphones -- you can barely control your new device and the new VoiceOver feature is rendered obsolete.

The assertion came from iLounge during its recent review of the new iPod Shuffle. The blog, famous for its detailed product reviews, doesn't say how it knows Apple included an authentication chip in the new headphones, only that it has. A further investigation by BoingBoing discovered a mystery chip named 8A83E3 buried in the Apple earbuds' architecture that may be the authentication chip.

The reaction to this rumor has been mild surprise. Some have argued this policy has been good for Apple financially and may lead to higher quality headphones from third-party vendors. However, I have to say, if the rumor is true then this is a horrible path for Apple to tread. By forcing consumers to constantly buy something as commonplace as headphones every time a new feature is added will only serve to upset the public and distance Apple from its dedicated base of consumers.


More troubling is a report from the Electronic Frontier Foundation that suggests Apple may be embracing the authentication model after it pushed other industries to abandon copy protection. The EFF points out that several of Apple's core products have some sort of DRM or authentication chip embedded in them, including iPods, the iPhone, OSX, and video ports on the new MacBooks. In its report, the EFF accuses Apple of trying to "shove competitors to the fringes and wrest control out of the hands of users."

In other words, by forcing manufacturers to license Apple's authentication technology to create third-party products, Apple inflates prices and reduces choice, while increasing its own profits. Now, I don't want to suggest that Apple doesn't have the right to make money; of course it does. But its methods should not put undue pressure on consumers to purchase only from a "walled garden" of products -- no matter how beautiful that garden may be.

In 2007, Steve Jobs wrote a letter entitled "Thoughts on Music," which turned the music industry on its ear. In that letter Jobs saw a rose-colored world free from copy protection where "any player can play music purchased from any store, and any store can sell music which is playable on all players." Jobs then went on to state that, "this is clearly the best alternative for consumers, and Apple would embrace it in a heartbeat." Apple has promoted DRM-free music. So if DRM-free music is the best alternative for consumers, why isn't DRM-free hardware? Why should you be forced to switch one method of DRM protection for another?

I want to reiterate that this mystery chip in the Apple earbuds may not be an authentication chip. However, considering the DRM protections in some of Apple's other products, the rumor is not outside of the realm of possibility. If it is true, then it's a very bad idea and I hope Apple reconsiders.

Death to apple!

[Headbanger]

The Apple fanatics will worship them anyway.

Personally Apple isn't a brand I'd touch with a 600 foot stick so I'm quite happy for them to treat their customer base like monkeys.:devil2:

[Cajun]

where apple have made money is locking people in buying there products, and keeping them locked in by only being able to buy there parts.

And with the ipod now firmly in market place as the item you have for playing mp3's they can bring there method from pc's to other range.

microsoft, apple, google etc all the same. evil

[Lias]

I've thought about buying an ipod, simply because the range of accesories for them is second to none, but I object to paying ten times what its worth simply for the apple name on the side, and the fact you have to use Itunes.

Apple need to lower their prices drastically, boot itunes to the curb, and of course dispose of any and all DRM. Then maybe i'd buy one. Maybe.

[Mr Merde]

Everyone should buy an Apple.

The world needs more paperweights

[CookMySock]

In other words, by forcing manufacturers to license Apple's authentication technology to create third-party products, Apple inflates prices and reduces choice, while increasing its own profits. Now, I don't want to suggest that Apple doesn't have the right to make money; of course it does. But its methods should not put undue pressure on consumers to purchase only from a "walled garden" of products -- no matter how beautiful that garden may be.Thats just business. Telecom does it. Microsoft does it. Recording companies do it. Apple does it. Long term, we will either have to find some way of reconciling how irritating their restrictions are, or they will have to stop doing it. I can't see the latter happening.


I've thought about buying an ipod, simply because the range of accesories for them is second to none, but I object to paying ten times what its worth simply for the apple name on the side, and the fact you have to use Itunes.You don't have to use proprietry iTunes on Windows platforms. There are a few Open Source apps that work perfectly.

You are not just paying for the brand name either. iTunes based players have a myriad of features built into them that make using any other player archaic in comparison.

Disclaimer: I don't have an iPod, and I don't want one.

Steve

[Cajun]

I've thought about buying an ipod, simply because the range of accesories for them is second to none, but I object to paying ten times what its worth simply for the apple name on the side, and the fact you have to use Itunes.

Apple need to lower their prices drastically, boot itunes to the curb, and of course dispose of any and all DRM. Then maybe i'd buy one. Maybe.

yeah when i brought my mp3 couple years ago i brought a toshiba gigabeat, since it better features than the ipod of simlar size, and was dad over 1/2 the price of the ipod.

[Finn]

Apple made stealing cool.

They've got some great stuff. I have a few AirPort Express units around my house connected to amps etc. From my iPhone, I can play music, control volume and where in my house it plays.

Now that's cool.

[MaxB]

At first I thought this was an April fools type joke. Or shit stirring by the competition like has happened before.

If not Apple has to remember 2 products, the Sony Walkman and the Betamax video format. They went from near market domination to near zero in less than 12 months.

The Walkman was killed by Sony's misreading of the market going from CD to mp3. They were still producing CD (and cassette!) players when Creative and Apple went mp3. Betamax was killed by poorly constructed enclosures made by 3rd party suppliers causing a few tapes to break. The media companies then refused to put their movies onto beta due to the negative reaction.

In both cases the market leaders failed to fix the problem in the eyes of the public. Goodbye $$$.

[Big Dave]

How quaint.

[Mikkel]

Everyone should buy an Apple.

The world needs more paperweights

I'll sell you a small rock that does the same - only $50, now ain't that cheap?


Apple - it just (only) works.

[Slyer]

yeah when i brought my mp3 couple years ago i brought a toshiba gigabeat, since it better features than the ipod of simlar size, and was dad over 1/2 the price of the ipod.
Yeah my Gigabeat has been great, people are surprised to see an mp3 player that isn't an ipod or Dick Smith mp3 player jobby.

[Headbanger]

You don't have to use propriety iTunes on Windows platforms. There are a few Open Source apps that work perfectly.

You are not just paying for the brand name either. iTunes based players have a myriad of features built into them that make using any other player archaic in comparison.

Disclaimer: I don't have an iPod, and I don't want one.

Steve

Copy/paste also works perfectly, In fact so far it hasn't been improved upon, Though Apple saw the need for propriety software that takes over file associations, configures itself as default media player,catalogues all the media on the system, Installs back ground services,Inserts items into the system startup and installs a god damned network client.

The fact that you can get around this with other software doesn't make it OK, The fact that you have to do so is a direct result of the piss poor retarded "Apple Way",

Copy/Paste...Brilliant.Who would have though it could be so easy,copy/past,copy/paste.

Point number 2,wtf? There are a multitude of mp3 players on the market with better design, better build quality, Simple to use interface (without the need for asshole apps like itunes) and at a cheaper price point.hell yes your paying for the Apple branding over and above everything else, and hell no the ipod doesn't make anything seem archaic in comparison.

[Cajun]

Yeah my Gigabeat has been great, people are surprised to see an mp3 player that isn't an ipod or Dick Smith mp3 player jobby.

yeah handy since i like it since it does video, radio, mp3/wma, uses a standard mini usb cable for transfer, can use it as a usb hdd righ out of box.

[Slyer]

I'm running rockbox on mine.
http://www.rockbox.org/

It's not as easy to use but the features are awesome.

[Swoop]

I am wondering why they are developing facial recognition software.
A contract with US gubbinment?
Something that all ages of the population will use??:rolleyes:

[YellowDog]

Well I guess I just never got sucked in to te Apple scam. Sure MP3 players are as comon as much and I must have a few of them. I wouldn't however use iTunes. All the crap it forces on to your computer is best avoided. Unlike a lot of people, I do not go about my daily business with a buzz emminating from my lugs. It must be an age generation/thing!

[Forest]

I'm a big fan of Apple computers (particularly the software rather than the hardware) because the stuff really does work well. Just look at the Macbook laptop I'm currently typing this post on:


Macbook:~ GH$ uptime
11:21 up 25 days, 2:57, 3 users, load averages: 0.65 0.69 0.71

When was the last time you used a Windows laptop for 25 days without needing to reboot?

However I've never been interested in iPods and iPhones. They're clever toys but I don't like the restrictions that go with them.

The Onion had a good take on things:

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/apple_introduces_revolutionary

[imdying]

you have to use Itunes.Naw, there's a number of solutions. Winamp for example has iPod support built in.

iTunes based players have a myriad of features built into them that make using any other player archaic in comparison.Name some :confused:



When was the last time you used a Windows laptop for 25 days without needing to reboot?A laptop, well, they move with me, so not very often. This desktop I'm using has an uptime of 47 days though. Media box at home, would have to check, but I'm guessing the uptime is about 5 or 6 hundred days now.

We had to restart the PC that plays music into our phones last year, it had an uptime of not quite 8 years (benefit of being in the server room on a UPS :D).

You're misguided if you think that it's anything special.

[Forest]

A laptop, well, they move with me, so not very often. This desktop I'm using has an uptime of 47 days though. Media box at home, would have to check, but I'm guessing the uptime is about 5 or 6 hundred days now.

We had to restart the PC that plays music into our phones last year, it had an uptime of not quite 8 years (benefit of being in the server room on a UPS :D).

You're misguided if you think that it's anything special.

I used to be an IBM mainframe engineer. We had a customer with a parallel sysplex cluster that had been running for 14 years without a reboot.

But a 25 day uptime on a laptop is unusual. This machine has been on the road with me, used daily, constantly slept/unslept, and is fully patched.

[Paulo]

http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=iphone

[MaxB]

How quaint.

The Walkman debacle was rumoured to have cost Sony $US 9 billion in lost revenue. Apple gained most from it selling roughly 100 million iPods. Today Sony shift more Walkmans built into mobile phones than they sell mp3 players.

Apple's arrogance could send it the same way as Sony.

[imdying]

Apple's arrogance could send it the same way as Sony.Worse than that... Sony have multiple revenue streams... Apple pretty much have the iPod and their PCs... currently their PC business is living off the back of their iPod business, so if they fuck that up, there's the potential for no more Apple.

[Big Dave]

Apple's arrogance could send it the same way as Sony.

Could - unless you are a shareholder who would really care.

There will be some other equally neat product to replace it.

What I thought was quaint was that there are still people who have brand angst.

[Big Dave]

Worse than that... Sony have multiple revenue streams... Apple pretty much have the iPod and their PCs... currently their PC business is living off the back of their iPod business, so if they fuck that up, there's the potential for no more Apple.

Except they have their best computer market share since the 80s - an a billion in cash I read somewheres.



They all have intel chips and unix platforms now - it's just a matter of what OS you like best - one of mine mine runs both both - and what services you are prepared to pay for.

Don't like it - don't buy it - there are plenty that will. It all works for me just fine.

[Lias]

When was the last time you used a Windows laptop for 25 days without needing to reboot?


Some of my windows machines often have uptimes measure in months not days.

[imdying]

Except they have their best computer market share since the 80s - an a billion in cash I read somewheres.Yup, which is still tiny, and a billion in cash wouldn't go far towards paying their creditors in that situation. Fortunately Microsoft have a decent stake in them, and serious cash reserves.

[Big Dave]

Yup, which is still tiny, and a billion in cash wouldn't go far towards paying their creditors in that situation. Fortunately Microsoft have a decent stake in them, and serious cash reserves.


Shares are a touch under a Hundy US and eps $5.

[Burtha]

Thats just business. Telecom does it. Microsoft does it. Recording companies do it. Apple does it. Long term, we will either have to find some way of reconciling how irritating their restrictions are, or they will have to stop doing it. I can't see the latter happening.

So true. Tis just marketing / business 101.
Just like any kidney stone - it'll pass.

[Big Dave]

I bought an original Sony Walkman way back then.

FM Radio with 2 headphone jacks that 'almost' worked inside. What would have that been - 81 or 82.

[Forest]

Except they have their best computer market share since the 80s - an a billion in cash I read somewheres.


Which decade are you in BD?

Apple is currently holding over $25 Billion USD in cash.

[Big Dave]

Which decade are you in BD?

Apple is currently holding over $25 Billion USD in cash.

So that's where it went.

[Forest]

Yup, which is still tiny, and a billion in cash wouldn't go far towards paying their creditors in that situation. Fortunately Microsoft have a decent stake in them, and serious cash reserves.

As of last year, Apple is holding larger cash reserves than Microsoft does.

But don't let facts get in the way of your argument...

[imdying]

Yup, after spending 30 billion of what they had buying there own shares back.

[xwhatsit]

Yup, after spending 30 billion of what they had buying there own shares back.
So you mean they bought all their shares back and they have 25 billion in the bank?

Doesn't sound too precarious to me...?



But honestly, this new Shuffle, who the fuck is going to want to pay $155 for a 4GB MP3 player the size of SkidMark's cock, with no buttons?!?! That you then have to either stick with the shitty included earphones or pay a fortune for crappy 3rd party 'phones (I can't see any of the decent canalphone manufacturers producing something compatible, and you can bet they'll charge a premium for the licensing and the DRM chip).

[Big Dave]

I use a 1gb shuffle and sony buds - excellent riding gear.

[Indiana_Jones]

I've thought about buying an ipod, simply because the range of accesories for them is second to none, but I object to paying ten times what its worth simply for the apple name on the side, and the fact you have to use Itunes.

Apple need to lower their prices drastically, boot itunes to the curb, and of course dispose of any and all DRM. Then maybe i'd buy one. Maybe.

Spot on.

That's why I got a Walkman.

At the end of the day you're paying for the name, that's why my little sister wanted one, cause all the cool kids have ipods :laugh:

and Itunes blows

-Indy

[Big Dave]

and Itunes blows

-Indy


Not if you are using macs and iPods - then it's f'n ace.

[Eddieb]

Thats just business. Telecom does it. Microsoft does it. Recording companies do it. Apple does it. Long term, we will either have to find some way of reconciling how irritating their restrictions are, or they will have to stop doing it. I can't see the latter happening.

......

Steve

Telecom only does it because the record companies won't supply the music to them for re-sale if they don't. No DRM at Telecom = no songs for sale from the Telecom music store.

[imdying]

So you mean they bought all their shares back and they have 25 billion in the bank?

Doesn't sound too precarious to me...?Yeah, Microsoft have plenty of dough in all sorts of places :)

But honestly, this new Shuffle, who the fuck is going to want to pay $155 for a 4GB MP3 player the size of SkidMark's cock, with no buttons?!?! That you then have to either stick with the shitty included earphones or pay a fortune for crappy 3rd party 'phones (I can't see any of the decent canalphone manufacturers producing something compatible, and you can bet they'll charge a premium for the licensing and the DRM chip).$155 ain't bad for something that talks back to you, and something the size of a lighter is useful because you can attach it to your helmet (i.e. no cords stopping you from taking it off)

I use a 1gb shuffle and sony buds - excellent riding gear.Basically that's the rub right there... Sony buds... Why should Big Dave have to pay extra to use his preferred headphones? (either through an 'adaptor', or because Apple forced Sony to buy from them a 'does nothing but let Apple rape your wallet' special chip to put in them?

[jonbuoy]

I'm a big fan of Apple computers (particularly the software rather than the hardware) because the stuff really does work well. Just look at the Macbook laptop I'm currently typing this post on:



When was the last time you used a Windows laptop for 25 days without needing to reboot?
However I've never been interested in iPods and iPhones. They're clever toys but I don't like the restrictions that go with them.

The Onion had a good take on things:

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/apple_introduces_revolutionary

My xp laptop and 2003 server run 24 seven days rock solid as long as you wait for the pc to sort itself out and not do forced quits. I found apple macs just as glitchy if not more so than pc's.

[Big Dave]

Why should Big Dave have to pay extra to use his preferred headphones? (either through an 'adaptor', or because Apple forced Sony to buy from them a 'does nothing but let Apple rape your wallet' special chip to put in them?

I'm not familiar with the model - if they are suitable phones it won't bother me - if they are not suitable phones I won't buy the product.

Either way I don't particularly care - there are plenty of options. Next purchase will be a iPhone when the telstra plans are available.

[imdying]

Interestingly, the iPhone already has this gheyness in the form of the AV cable iirc.

[Big Dave]

Interestingly, the iPhone already has this gheyness in the form of the AV cable iirc.

Not sure what that means - I want it to surf the net, watch movies, TV shows and play games on - like my Ipod now.

The phone part is just a handy extra.

[imdying]

It means if it comes with an AV cable, be careful not to bugger it. If it doesn't, then buy one from Apple. Or just watch all your media on the tiny wee screen and not worry about it :D

[Big Dave]

It means if it comes with an AV cable, be careful not to bugger it. If it doesn't, then buy one from Apple. Or just watch all your media on the tiny wee screen and not worry about it :D

Ahhh - I got it - it needs a cable to AV out.
Not a usage parameter.

Planes, hotels, on the road. I like the little screen - mostly watching you tube saves on it. near perfik for that.

Other thing I really like are the games. I haven't switched on the playstation since I started buying games for the iPod - there are some crappy ones and some gems..

[Starky307]

I find the apple stuff to be great, I've always been into the gadgets that they make, having an apple tv hooked up to the big screen in the lounge and being able to control it with my ipod touch is wicked. It automatically syncs with my macbook (which has given me no grief like my last microsoft based one did) and is just plain cool, the programmes are so easy to use and really intuitive.
My only gripe is trying to get help with a software issue i have recently come accross, but then again, after having a macbook for a year and this is my only problem I can't complain really.

[Swoop]

I bought an original Sony Walkman way back then.

FM Radio with 2 headphone jacks that 'almost' worked inside. What would have that been - 81 or 82.
I still have one sitting in a drawer...:eek5:

[Brian d marge]

I was given an iphone ,,, well the reports that they aren't selling in Japan maybe true , so soft bank let u upgrade to the 8 gig phone , free .

Now I run Linux . ....... dot dot ..... the only way I could reliably get the phone to work was by running windows in a virtual machine and itunes ,,,( its jailbroken )

I must say the only real prob I have is battery life ,,

its a lovely interface which with my poor eyesight, is easy to read ....Typing is a little bit of a pain ,,,but I have copy paste , bluetooth ,,etc

but document readers ??? and file management ???? ( apple you twonk )

I cannot understand businesses sometimes ...IF they free up the restrictions ,,more people would buy the phone and , if the products were better than open source ,,, it ( itunes ) would rule ...

I like itunes , ( i dont like booting into windows ) there is a lot of crap in there ( itunes AND windows ) .... but overall its easy to use ..

As soon as they manage to port linux onto the iphone ( they have but its still rough ) ...then I will dual boot .....( be lovely just to boot into a linux iphone !!!)

Stephen

[Big Dave]

The app 'file magnet' works OK as a reader.

I bought it thinking 'good idea' - but haven't actually had a valid use for it yet.

The slot cars game rocks though.