I do agree with some things on this post regarding Apple. I agree that the lock-in is egregious, but remember why there is DRM in the first place. The Majors insisted on DRM (if you remember, iTunes launched in the aftermath file sharing apps like Morpheus, Napster, and Limewire to name a few.

And because the labels have no foresight, they didn’t anticipate iTunes getting as huge as it has. So in order to keep Steve Jobs in his place on the negotiating table, they’ve done away with DRM requirements on new contracts, except for iTunes. This helps other music stores gain traction in the marketplace because it allows customers who are tired of the DRM scheme to migrate to other competing DRM-free music stores like Amazon. By keeping the DRM as a contractual obligation for iTunes, the majors are in-fact hedging their bets against the hand that feeds them and simultaneous playing their customers.

Remember that Steve Jobs did call for the end of DRM altogether. Of all the major record labels, only one capitulated and is offering DRM-free songs.

But that still doesn’t excuse the app store shenanigans you are right. An open iPhone platform would be huuuuuuuuuge for app development in African/development countries!

As for Apple: well…. DRM & their walled-garden policies make it just as evil as Facebook, with the only difference that ppl actually pay for such devices. Apparantly, it’s what users prefer (diversity & freedom of choice vs. a fixed set of working applications).

As for Apple: well…. DRM & their walled-garden policies make it just as evil as Facebook, with the only difference that ppl actually pay for such devices. Apparantly, it’s what users prefer (diversity & freedom of choice vs. a fixed set of working applications).