Quote:
Originally Posted by ApK
But from that point of view, even if Apple included a native ADOBE DRM ePub reader, or, heck, even if they changed ibooks to use that system today, they could still change their mind again tomorrow.
So could B&N, so could Amazon. Adobe could change their system and break all existing readers. Admittedly, the Apple scenario is the most likely of those....
But still, if we are to be concerned about that, ereaders would be relegated to those users who want to maintain their own firmware builds.....
I don't mean to be championing the iPad, by the way. For myself, the 5.5G Video iPod was the last Apple consumer product I liked. The Apple ][+ was the last Apple computer I used, too...I just don't know that these particular concerns should hold too much weight in a buying decision. Things change. C'est la vie.
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I love apple products, don't get me wrong.
What I'm talking about is the ownership issue. I don't want to pay too much for something I won't own, and that might be gone. Yes, others could do this too, but I'll always be able to freeze the firmware and drop txt files or rtfs or unprotected mobis on my wifi kindle.
The only way to get stuff on and off the Apple products is through itunes. A few apps do sync, and some do websync, but all of those use Apple approved functions/methods, and those can be turned off by Apple at anytime and break those functions. That's gatekeeping. Every piece of content you put on your Ipad (including, believe it or not, ibooks that aren't purchased from apple, movies, etc) are logged. That information can be sent to Apple for "diagnostic purposes." (Oh, I can't wait for the day when the MPAA or RIAA subpoena diagnostic information from Apple / Microsoft/ Amazon/ etc and nail people for that.)
That's what concerns me.. not so much the "can it read DRM files", but more the "can they turn it into a very expensive and pretty brick at will."
I suppose Amazon can as well, but theoretically, on the wifi kindle I can disable Wifi and use only USB when my computer's unplugged from the net.
EDIT: Just to clarify, the only reason I'm really concerned mostly about apple right now is that they are the only ones who actively have a patent on remote disabling of devices for content violations or terms of service violations. It's right there in the patent application precisely what they can do.