w/ their announcement today that anyone selling anything on an iphone app must pay them 30%, they are officially evil in my eyes. what would happen if Miscrosoft required any e-commerce retailer to pay them 30% when a user used Windows for the transaction?

the iphone app store is a marketplace; the iphone itself is merely a platform. very ballsy, extremely short-sighted, and i suspect you'll either see Apple back down or good content leave the iphone en masse.

Amazon seems to hold the key - do they simple refuse and dare Apple to remove their Kindle app (Amazon currently links to the iphone's browser to complete ebook purchases - Apple wants 30% of this)? and file anti-trust lawsuits left & right?

Rhapsody has already said today they are done w/ Apple - and are exploring their legal options. they arguably have a better case than even Amazon. Pandora IPO what?


interesting times...

- chuck

 

What is your opinion of Apple as a whole Chuck?

I somewhat cynically view them as a marketing company that produces products.

 

It has been my humble opinion that Apple has never NOT been evil

 

Google is the one with the 'don't be evil' mantra.

Apple has always been evil. They just make make amazing products.

They are a necessary evil.

 

Black turtle necks are expensive

 

^^^ and those 5 dollar Starbucks drinks add up

 

Platform is everything. These developers would not be making the money they are now without the iPhone platform.

 

Levi's and NB 992's are too!

 

Pretty much. They have always taken large percentages of sales. I'm still a fanboy though.

 

Whats googles cut of paid for apps?