It’s really quite simple. There is a group of journalists and analysts out there (Dvorak, Enderle, Gartner, and quite a few others) who have made a career out of never reporting anything positive about Apple and, in fact, spreading inane lies over and over. I did a study a decade ago about Gartner’s obvious lies about Macintosh software sales – which they continued for a 5 year period. I don’t know what these people gain from their incredibly anti-Apple position (maybe they pick up enough support from the “MAC sux” crowd to make up from the intelligent readers they lose), but there is an unending blitz of FUD from them.

Your mistake is in expecting rational thought from the likes of Dvorak and Enderle.

I also have an incredible plan where I only pay $30 a month and get unlimited data, text, 500 minutes, NW at 7PM…so I would have to more than double my monthly bill to switch and then not even have any 3G service at all. Now I realize that my plan is unusually cheap, and maybe AT&Ts coverage in your city might be excellent and the iPhone plan might even be competitive if you are not lucky enough to have a great plan like SERO, but I think there are a lot of people out there in the same boat as me. We want the iPhone, but not badly enough to switch to what may be an inferior carrier and pay over twice as much per month. I think Verizon is evil with their severely crippled phones and the way they nickel and dime users so I hope Apple never releases one for VW, but I do hope to see a Sprint version someday. Assuming Sprint can stop the bleeding and avoid going under.

Thanks to the link to Mike Ash’s insider view of iPhone development. It was insightful.

The NDA matter seems to cause some grief for developers.

But as long as the iPhone continues to sell like hotcakes, and Apple provides a ready marketplace for iPhone software; then developers will jump through whatever hoops necessary to create and publish their software.

Hopefully Apple will not make the process unnecessarily difficult and provide quick and efficient assistance throughout the development and approval process.

If at any point, Apple is discouraging too many developers, than maybe they should adjust their practices somewhat to be more accommodating. They will adjust as necessary to continue improving the experience for all involved. But it makes more sense that Apple should concentrate on making their products and their platform the best ever. That’s what creates he value in the platform that everyone will want to develop for.

But I have to agree entirely with Dan. This is Apple’s baby.

Personally, I could care less if they allow the farting phone app and the I’m Rich app. The platform is not better nor worse for lack of these. The fart phone app seems innocent enough. The I’m Rich app probably was downloaded by one or more curiosity seeker, who realizing the mistake immediately asked for a refund from Apple and/or their credit card companies. Frankly, the app was likely not worth the hassle for Apple. Although, it was a brilliant move on the developer’s part to put it out there for rich fools to download.

The Podcaster is another story altogether. If Apple wanted the iPhone to have the ability to download podcasts directly, they would build it into iTunes. The feature is not present because either 1) Apple chose to leave it out for the bandwidth and others reasons that have been mentioned or 2) Apple will build that feature into iTunes in the future. Either way, Apple will never want someone else to create a distribution platform on the iPhone that competes with iTunes.

Further, by sidestepping iTunes, not only is the value of the iTunes ecosystem diminished, but also the value of the computer on which iTunes runs also is attacked. Don’t forget that Apple not only has this Phone/iPod/iTunes franchise that they need to protect, but they also have a quite successful Mac Business that Apple would like to remain relevant.

Apple has already allowed direct purchase of songs via wifi at Starbucks. See how this downloading provides a revenue stream, and even then only works via wifi. ATT is already overwhelmed with the data usage of the iPhone.

Over time, as the iPhone becomes an ever more powerful device, it will continue to take on ever more functions of the PC/Mac. This may in time mean direct podcast downloads in iTunes, even if only via wifi. The iPhone may become the focal point for the iTunes interface. The Mac/PC or Time Capsule will be relegated to a backup /storage function, that may also be done in the cloud.

I can see the value of being able to remain current with some favorite podcasts, even while one is traveling and doesn’t want to bring along a laptop for syncing. The iPhone is becoming a little computer in its’ own right. So, I would like Apple to evolve the iPhone into a more independent computing device over time. For example, with this podcast feature on the iPhone and with MobileMe syncing, some iPhone users could go months or more without ever having to sync up with a “host” computer, if ever. Nokia has some idea to eventually build a cloud community around their phone devices. It’s cute idea, but Apple will get there first.

Apple has shown that they will not easily be left behind as technology marches forward. However, don’t hold your breath waiting for Apple to let someone else muscle in on iTunes. Partnering is one thing, Apple has been happy to partner in iTunes, with content providers and affiliate marketers from radio stations or whomever. Letting someone do a complete run-around outside of iTunes just will never be in their best interest.

To pout and jump up and down seems immature. If someone wants to offer a product that doesn’t work with iTunes, they are free to do so. Microsoft is hard at work on a iTunes replacement, as is Google and Nokia. We can wish them all luck, but don’t expect Apple to cooperate on an an alternate distribution mechanism that decreases the relevance of their own iTunes distribution platform on their own product. Get real.

@ danieleran

This is one of the finest examples of the analysis that appears on RDM. Keep up the good work.

and their attitude is take-it-or-leave-it. it’s pretty hardball business-wise and they don’t “dialog.” yeah, arrogant.

but that is not a “monopoly.” the consumer has other walled gardens available – iTunes knock offs like Zune or subscription services – or ‘free range’ media/unlocked communication devices that will play anything without DRM. there are only two reasons consumers stay inside Apple’s iTunes walled garden: one, it’s a terrific place to be, and two, practically it’s a royal pain in the ass to move all your stuff to another one. and nothing Apple does stops anyone from buying and using other media players/services in addition to Apple’s stuff, it would just cost somewhat more due to the duplication.

Microsoft didn’t set up a walled garden, it set up a prison yard. non-technical consumers were forced to use Windows/PC’s as their only option, as MS tried to destroy everyone else’s attempts to create alternative places for them to go. that is/was a monopoly, but it is clearly decaying now.

i’m glad to see Apple held accountable for its business style. some is FUD, some is just whining (whining seems to be universally the #1 blog style), and Dan does a great job of skewering those guys. but there are legit issues to debate too. Apple’s “house rules” are certainly not perfect.

which is what we are seeing a lot of now too, focused against the 2008 technical revolution and snowballing popularity of the App Store – and the fact it has suddenly cut the competitive market pricing of smartphone and portable game player apps, by about 2/3 across the board! plus opening up a huge array of free services!! wow!!!

as to legit issues about Apple’s management of the App Store …

Not Monopolistic: “We don’t care if you make a RIM version — we want podcasts to go through iTunes, and we’ve never planned to allow third-party apps that duplicate that function. We don’t think iPhone users should have to search multiple apps to find podcasts.”

Apple is inviting us to provide things on the iPhone that they aren’t providing. That’s not an abuse of power. They didn’t have to open up app development at all.

You are totally off base. Apple has every right to make sure that its store shelves are not stocked with fraudulent, scamming products. Practically every person who bought this product demanded a refund.

I want to go to the supermarket and be reasonably assured that anything I put in my cart is not an outrageously overpriced virtually useless product. Apple isn’t allowed to do that?