Raise your hand if you’re surprised. Nobody? We didn’t think so.
In case you’ve managed to not hear about the background, the new rules that cover the iAd platform, if exercised verbatim, would keep Google and AdMob out of the iAd stream. This, ladies and gentlemen, is what we call a problem. Combine that with Apple’s reluctance to allow Flash to run on its mobile devices and you’ve got yourself a lovely setup for a showdown between the FTC and Apple.
The FTC has announced now that it will be opening investigations into Apple’s business practices on an antitrust nature, and according to an article in The Wall Street Journal, this might not be the only antitrust investigation coming Apple’s way. The FTC is also highly curious about Apple’s music business.
Things are about to get very interesting in the world of Apple. Here’s wishing one of my favorite companies all the best, but I really wish that it wouldn’t have come to this.
Brad
You Google bobble heads are really wishful thinking. Nevermind your once beloved company (Apple) has crossed over to serve the consumers with the deeps pockets. Trust me Google is searching for the same formula Apple has. So get ready to find you another nipple to suck on.
Testy testy. Perhaps you should be angry at the FTC, not me. After all, I’m not the one taking them under investigation.
Sorry Brad
I just felt a little betrayed.
Sincerely I disagree Apple’s policy .. although they brought “new and innovation” on the mobile & PC consumer media and they are still good at what they are doing. But trying to act like Microsoft 10 years ago .. in today’s time, all you will get FTC investigations.
I know that the market it’s a jungle, but to shut down Adobe without trying to find a 3 party solution it’s not “agreeable”. I think that the next boom from Apple will be a product on the same range of Final Cut that will replace the Flash …
I wonder can be used (modified) Flash on a non flash platform like Apple’s IPad that has with a strong policy against Flash …
Why should Google have unfettered access to both proprietary and personal information without the consent of the user. Why should I finance Adobe’s poor optimization with more expensive hardware? Don’t Amazon, Google, and Walmart all sell music?
This is just some politico collecting a payoff from Google to extort Apple.
Both you and the WSJ are overstating what is happening. It isn’t yet a full scale investigation. It is step 1. This step looks to see if there is anything to investigate. Someone complained. So now they see if there is any merit to the complaint. Pretty much how our law system works. The FTC is not coming up with this investigation on their own. Someone brought it up to them. I wonder who?
And to find out if Google or Admob are actually “cut out” of serving ads, read this article:
http://davidbarnard.com/post/684540619/anti-competitive-and-potentially-creepy
The contention seems to be more around collecting the analytics of the ads, not the actual advertising. That, of course, is what REALLY hurts Google. Some good back and forth in the comments, too.
Joe
I have a hard time supporting Apple or Microsoft. They are both shady companies that play stupid games.
Because Google is not a shady company. Oh, wait they are the ones collecting information from every search that you do. And if you have an Android phone, Google is probably parsing every text and mobile call that you do.
I don’t really understand the comments that try to protect Apple. It’s ok to like Apple products, but even the most devoted Fanboy should agree that Apple-Technology with more user-, developer and societyfriendly business strategies is a good thing!
It’s not as if there won’t be another iPhone or new iPad somewhere along the line if Apple has to compete on a free market and embrace open standards. Actually, Apple will only remain innovative if there is competition.
As for Google and Apple: Don’t choose a side and wage war against the other. If the two fight than this is a good thing for customers of both companies. We get things faster, better and cheaper that way.
That’s the point Ranjit, Google isn’t competing. They are dumping their software in return for ad space. They mining for data without user consent. How does an extension of Google dominance in ads into the mobile space serve users? This is competition. Google is free to gather data in other ways but Apple doesn’t have to make it easy for them.
If my info is so valuable Googlen can buy it from me directly.
@Ranjit Data mining by Google on the iPhone ain’t going to happen. Call it like I see it.
You guys are missing the point.
It’s not “why should google have this info without the users consent” it’s why should Apple?
Also you are not supporting adobe poor optimization unless you USE the product. Others should be free to CHOOSE to if they want to.
And the music thing is just about Apple strong arm tactics abusing their market share dominance.
Not missing the point. Others have a choice. They can buy a device that runs Flash. I just choose to no longer enable Adobe’s laziness.
Apple should have my information because they asked me for it. They’ve told me how they intend to use it, and they will ask every time. I trust Apple. I don’t trust Google.
Apple is not obliged to fund their competitors information gathering on their products. And I am not obliged to pay for the bandwidth they use to gather it.
@Shadow Dude let’s not be naive.