I like os x, I like ipods, I like itunes, but I’m not particularly fond of Apple’s business model. A wiki owner called Sam Odio started a diskussion about how to create a sync alternativ for Ipod/Iphone. I didn’t take Apple long to catch up and send their lawyers to stop the discussion. This is why I’m a huge fan of the idea behind web 2.0, a mindset directly opposite to this kind of behavior. Trying to circumvent free speech with a law suit threat is a postmodern version of old school mafia methods – which of course are live and kicking as much as before. If you are an Apple worshiper, please think of this:
- Apple – wants to get on top of Microsoft and Google and rule the world
- Microsoft – wants to get on top of Apple and Google and rule the world
- Google – wants to get on top of Microsoft and Apple and rule the world
- Ubuntu – ? well, probably has a similar wish
If someone asked me to choose one of these competitors as the next king in the digital sphere, I couldn’t possibly choose one. The icing of the digital cake is the diversity of these companies respective business models. But if I was forced to choose between these business models, Apple would come pretty close to the end of my list.
Sometimes I meet persons with an almost religious relationship to Apple or Linux (Never happend with Microsoft, and hardly Google). I don’t like the vibes in that kind of fundamentalism. I don’t like it at all.
And I think that Nokia, Samsung, LG, Sony Ericsson, Vodafone and all the old telephone companies wants to have a place in this low frequent conflict…
You’re absolutely right Peter! 3G and following techniques will definitely put a strain of the life world we are calling the Internet. The air of freedom on the Internet is a “pain in the as” – god, can I really write that!!!? – for anyone who whats business to be what business always have been in the past. ie hierarchical, top to bottom, streams of power, flowing down the mountain, encapsulating and controlling everyone in its path…