Apple might be facing an EU antitrust probe

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by Worldwalker

I shouldn't post when I'm that irritable. Sorry.

Kudos (and Karma), for a classy response.

I think it boils down to the fact that there is a segment of the market, of people interested in tinkering with devices and having more control, that Apple is simply not interested in, they are happy to write that sector off and concentrate on mass market products, and are not willing to make any compromises that they think would reduce their mass market acceptance. And what they see as the core of that acceptance is simplicity, the one-button philosophy.

[rogue_librarian]

Originally Posted by kjk

But Apple doesn't have a monopoly on smartphones-RIM is the market leader. And I'm pretty sure Android will overtake both of them within 12-18 months.

"Significant market share" is sufficient, and we're agreed the iphone has that, yes? Also, Android devices certainly are subject to the same scrutiny, but there is no single vendor with a lock-in policy the way Apple has. The various Android devices are an open platform, more or less, you don't need anybody's blessing to write software for it.

[astra]

Apple might be facing an EU antitrust probe

Translation:
The gadget is too good for our time and some corporations feel intimidated by it.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by rogue_librarian

"Significant market share" is sufficient, and we're agreed the iphone has that, yes? Also, Android devices certainly are subject to the same scrutiny, but there is no single vendor with a lock-in policy the way Apple has. The various Android devices are an open platform, more or less, you don't need anybody's blessing to write software for it.

It will be interesting to see how this goes.
Hard to see how they can apply this to Apple, but not to Nintendo with the DS, or Nintendo/Microsoft/Sony with the Wii/360/PS3, all of which only run applications/games blessed by the manufacturer.

[rogue_librarian]

You're raising good points, but that's no argument why the probe against Apple shouldn't go ahead. If they're looking into the game consoles market, too, at some point I wouldn't be surprised.

[joblack]

Originally Posted by astra

Translation:
The gadget is too good for our time and some corporations feel intimdated by it.

LOL sure ... it was the same with the Microsoft European antitrust issue. The Internet Explorer was top notch advanced high technology .

[roebeet]

Originally Posted by rogue_librarian

"Significant market share" is sufficient, and we're agreed the iphone has that, yes? Also, Android devices certainly are subject to the same scrutiny, but there is no single vendor with a lock-in policy the way Apple has. The various Android devices are an open platform, more or less, you don't need anybody's blessing to write software for it.

Also, RIM is the leader in the enterprise. But, in the consumer space, I would argue that Apple is the market leader right now.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by rogue_librarian

"Significant market share" is sufficient, and we're agreed the iphone has that, yes?

I understand the EU's proposal. I was responding to roebeet's comment, where he mentioned his concerned over the "monopoly".

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by roebeet

Also, RIM is the leader in the enterprise. But, in the consumer space, I would argue that Apple is the market leader right now.

I agree, but I really don't see the issue. For many people (myself included) the application vetting is a plus, not a minus, and for those who don't like it, there are other platforms (most notably Android) to choose.

[SameOldStory]

Originally Posted by murraypaul

It will be interesting to see how this goes.
Hard to see how they can apply this to Apple, but not to Nintendo with the DS, or Nintendo/Microsoft/Sony with the Wii/360/PS3, all of which only run applications/games blessed by the manufacturer.

Acording to The Mac Observer -
"Apple isn’t, however, being singled out. The commission is considering investigating how other companies are handling interoperability in the smartphone market, too."

That sounds pretty definitive and "all inclusive" to me.


Worldwalker is 100% right -
"So give the consumer a choice: run only apps with an Apple-approved tag, or choose to take a risk. If they want the benefit of restrictions they have the option to do so; if they want freedom, they have that option too."

Those who think that Apple is always right will be happy. And some who think differently, like myself, may consider buying Apple products in the future.