Apple users are fervent in their love for Steve Jobs' devices. I'm happy they have technology that works for them -- but they're misguided.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
By Brad King
UPDATE: I knew the storm was coming when I posted this, but I did it anyway. Possibly I wasn't clear enough. I'm willing to admit that. However, let me reiterate my point in a very clear way: I've got no problem with Apple. I used Apple products until 1999, when I started working at Wired, a PC shop, and began covering digital entertainment, which didn't really exist on Apple products back then. So -- truly folks -- I get it. I understand. For loads of people, Apple is what they choose.
The simple point I'm trying to make here: Jobs' deal with the entertainment industry and its DRM practices are bad for consumers. This isn't a knock on the iPod (although I really don't get it). If you love your iPod, by all means, use it in complete happiness and joy. But that doesn't mean you should be overjoyed by the DRM practices the company has built itself on. Now -- on to the original post.
Let me start this post by saying this: if you like Apple, you are likely going to want to stab me with a fork when you are done reading this. I apologize for that. But since we're all friends here, I think it's important that I remind you of a few things.
Okay, now that's out of the way. As you probably know, MacWorld takes place next week, and I have no doubt that Apple addicts around the planet are so giddy with anticipation that many of them can't sleep. I also know that no matter how much I try to make this blog sound respectful, I am going to fail miserably because it's difficult to have a rational discussion with people who are so into anything.
But I completely respect that stance. I would even go so far as to say, I completely understand their stance. I feel that way about The Ohio State University, the Cincinnati Bengals, the Cincinnati Reds, and the Cincinnati Bearcats, and my mother.
However, sometimes, blind faith isn't enough. And in this particular case, unquestioning faith in all things Steve is a bad idea. (For what it's worth, this McSweeney's post should take some of the heat off me, I hope.)
The immediate response I get when I bring this up is always the same: Microsoft is soooo much worse. But I disagree. There is an army of programmers around the world who are developing applications, work-arounds, and other goodies that allow me to circumvent most of the aspects about Microsoft products I don't like. The coolest thing that I do is record television with my PC, hack the DRM, burn it to a DVD, and take that program with me anywhere. But I know that's doesn't even touch the tip of the iceberg.
However, that's not what really, really sticks in my craw. I reserve that (possibly irrational) anger for the iPod and iTunes, two music products that are so restrictive in their licensing and user set-ups that I have never been able to bring myself to download the software to purchase music through iTunes or pony up the cash to by an iPod.
It's fairly well publicized that if you have music on your hard drive, music you've purchased a license to use through iTunes, and your computer crashes -- you lose all of that music. It's not a common occurrence for sure (at least, I hope it's not), but when it does happen (as it nearly did to one editor here), your view of Apple suddenly, and dramatically, changes. (This doesn't even begin to touch on the fact that the iPod was clearly not the first digital music player, and for my tastes, isn't even the best player -- but the Altoids-style packaging has certainly resonated with consumers, which is the bottom line.)
That said, even that restrictive licensing doesn't ultimately get to me. Every company has the right to set up the terms of use (within reason), and that is the road Apple chose to go down. The problem is they've been so compliant with the entertainment industry -- foisting ridiculous digital rights management on consumers -- that they may very well be setting the table for the music and movie industries to expand their restrictive licensing to entirely new platforms.
Jobs has, by and large, become a proxy for the music and movie industries in the continual eroding of consumer rights in a digital age. And -- for everyone who shells out their hard-earned money for the latest and greatest gadget -- you've all fallen for it.
No, what really gets to me is that I think all of the Apple users around the planet know this already, but simply have stopped caring -- and I can't figure out why. However, I think I may have figured it out, thanks to one unnamed person who said to me: "Yes, but the iPod is so cute."
Comments
Guest (Doctor) on 01/04/2006 at 2:48 PM
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Thanks - you learn something new everyday!
Guest (Doctor) on 01/04/2006 at 2:48 PM
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Thanks - you learn something new everyday!
Guest (Doctor) on 01/04/2006 at 2:53 PM
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Thanks, you learn something new everyday, I guess!
Guest (Andrew) on 01/04/2006 at 3:50 PM
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Guest (Benton) on 01/04/2006 at 6:01 PM
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Guest (Benton) on 01/04/2006 at 6:01 PM
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Guest (Andrew) on 01/04/2006 at 3:50 PM
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Guest (James) on 01/04/2006 at 4:23 PM
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Guest (Flummi) on 07/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
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Guest (James) on 01/04/2006 at 4:23 PM
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Guest (Sheldon) on 01/04/2006 at 4:31 PM
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It works flawlessly with my Mac. >>A superior computer and operating system. By the way, iTunes is the only legal way to buy music - for the Mac. Therefore the compatibility is the highest.
More accessories available than any other MP3 player.
It holds my photos and my videos (now).
It plugs in directly to my car stereo system and is controlled by the steering wheel controls.
Oh yeah and It looks awesome.
When you can approach an Apple product with an open mind... Come back and see me.
Guest (Sheldon) on 01/04/2006 at 4:31 PM
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It works flawlessly with my Mac. >>A superior computer and operating system. By the way, iTunes is the only legal way to buy music - for the Mac. Therefore the compatibility is the highest.
More accessories available than any other MP3 player.
It holds my photos and my videos (now).
It plugs in directly to my car stereo system and is controlled by the steering wheel controls.
Oh yeah and It looks awesome.
When you can approach an Apple product with an open mind... Come back and see me.
Guest (chris) on 01/04/2006 at 4:33 PM
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Guest (chris) on 01/04/2006 at 4:33 PM
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Guest (Ben Rosenberg) on 01/04/2006 at 6:21 PM
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Is it ok for them because its OK to hate Microsoft and we believe theyll screw us over anyway?
The only reason people bitch about iTunes and iTMS is because the iPod doesnt play Windows Media Player Audio files.. pure and simple. I have no iTMS AAC files on my iPod because I wont submit to DRM. All my audio files are MP3s converted from CDs I bought.. which as far as Im concerned is fairusage and legal. As long as the **IA, Apple, Microsoft and others keep trying to use Digital Restriction Management software for online music purchases.. Ill not buy them. When they make CDs unable to be converted to MP3s.. Ill stop buying them. Oh Bloody well. Theyll not get my dollar for each format they want to shove down our throats every few years.. and I wont rent my music for a monthly fee.. guess Im too friggin old. When I bought an LP or a tape.. it was mine to listen to until the media wore out. *shrug*
Guest (Ben Rosenberg) on 01/04/2006 at 6:21 PM
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Is it ok for them because its OK to hate Microsoft and we believe theyll screw us over anyway?
The only reason people bitch about iTunes and iTMS is because the iPod doesnt play Windows Media Player Audio files.. pure and simple. I have no iTMS AAC files on my iPod because I wont submit to DRM. All my audio files are MP3s converted from CDs I bought.. which as far as Im concerned is fairusage and legal. As long as the **IA, Apple, Microsoft and others keep trying to use Digital Restriction Management software for online music purchases.. Ill not buy them. When they make CDs unable to be converted to MP3s.. Ill stop buying them. Oh Bloody well. Theyll not get my dollar for each format they want to shove down our throats every few years.. and I wont rent my music for a monthly fee.. guess Im too friggin old. When I bought an LP or a tape.. it was mine to listen to until the media wore out. *shrug*
Guest (Chris) on 01/05/2006 at 1:50 PM
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Right now I am experiencing some wierd ActiveX problem with my Internet Explorer. All of my anti-virus software and anti-spyware software says my machine clean and working optimally. BS! Its a piece of crap and brand new. Ive had it working on this junk and its time for a change.
Say what you will about Apple, Steve Jobs, and iPods. Apple Computer has a loyal following for a reason. They care about the products they develop and they are about to gain another loyal customer in the near future. Bill Gates and Ballmer can sell their wares to the third world for all I care. Like GM, they had their chance and they blew it!
Guest (Chris) on 01/05/2006 at 1:50 PM
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Right now I am experiencing some wierd ActiveX problem with my Internet Explorer. All of my anti-virus software and anti-spyware software says my machine clean and working optimally. BS! Its a piece of crap and brand new. Ive had it working on this junk and its time for a change.
Say what you will about Apple, Steve Jobs, and iPods. Apple Computer has a loyal following for a reason. They care about the products they develop and they are about to gain another loyal customer in the near future. Bill Gates and Ballmer can sell their wares to the third world for all I care. Like GM, they had their chance and they blew it!
Guest (Bill Wood) on 01/06/2006 at 10:35 AM
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Guest (Bill Wood) on 01/06/2006 at 10:35 AM
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Guest (Doctor) on 01/04/2006 at 2:53 PM
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Thanks, you learn something new everyday, I guess!
Guest (HDL) on 01/04/2006 at 4:00 PM
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Guest (MacAubie) on 01/04/2006 at 5:29 PM
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He is no freakin journalist or reviewer but he definitely knows how to run up some hit counters!!
-MacAubie
Guest (MacAubie) on 01/04/2006 at 5:29 PM
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He is no freakin journalist or reviewer but he definitely knows how to run up some hit counters!!
-MacAubie
Guest (Rob) on 01/04/2006 at 6:30 PM
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Ill guess youll get hits on this. Hate/Ignorance like yours can sometimes blind rational thought. Just be happy with what you have and dont worry about what others are using.
Incidentally, Microsoft and the entertainment companies were working on DRM long ago, thank god Apple came along... or your DVD player would soon have to feature a windows OS and DRM scheme just to play rented/purchased DVDs let alone video downloads.
Guest (Rob) on 01/04/2006 at 6:30 PM
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Ill guess youll get hits on this. Hate/Ignorance like yours can sometimes blind rational thought. Just be happy with what you have and dont worry about what others are using.
Incidentally, Microsoft and the entertainment companies were working on DRM long ago, thank god Apple came along... or your DVD player would soon have to feature a windows OS and DRM scheme just to play rented/purchased DVDs let alone video downloads.
Guest (Bill) on 01/05/2006 at 9:07 AM
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Guest (Bill) on 01/05/2006 at 9:07 AM
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Guest (Bill) on 01/05/2006 at 9:08 AM
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Guest (Phil from OZ) on 01/06/2006 at 1:40 AM
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The time to start worrying is if DRM becomes mandatory.
Guest (Phil from OZ) on 01/06/2006 at 1:40 AM
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The time to start worrying is if DRM becomes mandatory.
Guest (Phil from OZ) on 01/06/2006 at 1:41 AM
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The time to start worrying is if DRM becomes mandatory.
Guest (Phil from OZ) on 01/06/2006 at 2:05 AM
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The time to start worrying is if DRM becomes mandatory.
Guest (HDL) on 01/04/2006 at 4:00 PM
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Guest (Silly) on 01/04/2006 at 4:01 PM
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Uhm to them comment on what a product can or cannot do without using them is ridiculous. I am beginning to think reviews are just words on a pc to make a deadline because there is no substative value to this whole "technology review" unless you just call it an uninformed rant. At least EDUCATE people with SPECIFICS man. Yes, you are allowed your opinion just dont portray it as an informed one to the readers if you havent done your research.
Guest (James) on 01/04/2006 at 4:11 PM
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Guest (Sheldon) on 01/04/2006 at 4:37 PM
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Okay. Sure. Why? Personally, Im trying to stay off the satellite radio bandwagon. Come on - its technology, its reliable, and if it serves a purpose for you why avoid something.
Or are you 15 and the cool thing some poor kid at your school started is that its cool to NOT own an iPod. Its a bandwagon either way. Grow up.
Guest (Sheldon) on 01/04/2006 at 4:37 PM
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Okay. Sure. Why? Personally, Im trying to stay off the satellite radio bandwagon. Come on - its technology, its reliable, and if it serves a purpose for you why avoid something.
Or are you 15 and the cool thing some poor kid at your school started is that its cool to NOT own an iPod. Its a bandwagon either way. Grow up.
Guest (James) on 01/04/2006 at 4:11 PM
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Guest (Blind_Faith) on 01/04/2006 at 4:15 PM
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Too see the grammar Brad and MS Word originally let pass - check out the quoted article in its original form at http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/writer_ive_never_used_an_ipod_or_itunes_but_i_think_people_who_do_are_dupes/
Guest (rbb) on 01/04/2006 at 4:28 PM
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2) Everybody I know who uses iTunes and an iPod uses them primarily as a way of organizing, sorting, and listening to music that they already own on CD or from some other non-iTunes Music Store source. In other words, the restrictions of the iTunes music store only matter if you use it. If you dont like em, dont use em.
3) if you regularly back up your hard drive, you will never lose your iTunes music. If you dont, you will. Do you ask Atlantic to replace your Phil Collins CDs when your house burns down? I didnt think so. Then why is Apple responsible for your music once you purchase it?
4) Oh never mind. Why bother....
Guest (rbb) on 01/04/2006 at 4:28 PM
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2) Everybody I know who uses iTunes and an iPod uses them primarily as a way of organizing, sorting, and listening to music that they already own on CD or from some other non-iTunes Music Store source. In other words, the restrictions of the iTunes music store only matter if you use it. If you dont like em, dont use em.
3) if you regularly back up your hard drive, you will never lose your iTunes music. If you dont, you will. Do you ask Atlantic to replace your Phil Collins CDs when your house burns down? I didnt think so. Then why is Apple responsible for your music once you purchase it?
4) Oh never mind. Why bother....
Guest (youTard) on 01/05/2006 at 9:20 AM
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Guest (youTard) on 01/05/2006 at 9:20 AM