Why Apple is evil: Allowing AT&T to screw iPad customers badly

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I almost didn’t cover this one, except Apple contributed to it.

AT&T decided to make the $30 unlimited data plan unavailable for the iPad, unless you already have the plan by June 7. Instead, they’ll have a $25 2 gig data plan.

Talk about a bait and switch…

But, you’ve still got time to get an iPad 3G before they do that, and get on the true unlimited plan, right?

Wrong.

Apple pulled the iPad 3G from the Apple Store.

Great job, Apple.

Update 2010-06-02 20:42Z: Turns out, not only that, but Apple’s pushed back pending iPad 3G orders to June 7. I think it’s safe to say that Apple’s evil bit is set on this one.

Source: Slashdot

Why Apple is evil: Changing the rules on developers

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Double posting today, it’ll take a while to catch up to where I’m supposed to be on these.

And, it’s a common theme, but…

Apple’s changed the rules again, in a vague manner. Now, they’ve decided that “widget-like apps” aren’t OK, and that apps can’t “create their own desktops,” and pulled an app that multiple revisions of had previously been approved of.

Great way to treat your developers and your users, Apple.

Source: Slashdot

Why Apple is evil: Banning some open development

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Apple’s removed GNU Go from the App Store, as the GPL (which it is licensed under) conflicts with some of Apple’s requirements for the App Store.

I’ll note that this is completely legal, and in fact, to keep distributing it, Apple would have had to change their policies.

I’ll also note that I generally dislike the GPL, and even more so the zealots that think the GPL should be mandatory. The GPL does take choice away.

However, that doesn’t mean that writing restrictions that prevent GPL software from being used on the iPhone isn’t evil. If people want to use the GPL for their software, they should be allowed to.

Source: The Register

Why Apple is evil: Not taking legal tender for their products

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First things first, yes, I’m aware that “legal tender” is only required to be accepted to settle debts, and as the iPad is not provided until payment is made, Apple isn’t required to accept cash.

So, this is in the aftermath of a previous post, about people getting lifetime bans from buying iPads for buying too many. When that story broke, there were suggestions all over the place to just use cash.

Well, they actually went to the extent of banning cash (and gift card, apparently) sales.

Seriously, Apple, if people want to resell your item, what’s so wrong with that?

Source: Boing Boing

Why Apple is evil: Stealing ideas… from Microsoft.

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So, in 2007, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates were interviewed at All Things Digital 5. One of the topics was the future of computing. Bill Gates… spelled out exactly how the iPad today works, and predicted the death of the PC. Steve Jobs was sticking to a “personal computers will never die” stance, with slave devices to work with the PC.

Now? iPad and iPhone all the way.

Go figure.

Oh, and before anyone complains… yes, I know, Microsoft stole from Apple in the 1980s… and the 1990s… and the 2000s… but what it does mean is that Apple’s “revolutionary” computing idea… was pushed by Microsoft three years ago. Apple isn’t nearly as revolutionary as they claim, they just have better execution than Microsoft.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuhHIqJyjY0

Source: Gizmodo

Why Apple is evil: Calling for an app, and then rejecting it when someone actually makes it

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Sorry about the lack of updates, I’m trying not to make stuff up, and stick to the facts. Sometimes there’s less news, so I won’t post if there’s nothing to post. But, now there is something to post. And this one’s practically kicking puppies evil.

Steve Jobs has publicly expressed interest in something like HyperCard on the iPad, and calling for someone to write it.

So, the logical thing to do… would be to write it.

Right?

Wrong. Apple will reject it, even if you work with them. What a good way to ensure goodwill among your developers – publicly call for them to develop something, and then reject it.

Source: Slashdot

Why Apple is evil: They can’t take a joke

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Really not much to report, but… Ellen Degeneres made a (mediocre, IMO) spoof of the iPhone ads. Apple was annoyed.

A non-evil company would ignore it if they were annoyed, or even joke about it.

An evil company would push the celebrity to take all of their comments back.

Source: Engadget

Why Apple is evil: FTC and DoJ rumored to be planning antitrust probe against Apple for language restrictions

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The rumor mill is churning out reports that the US Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice are planning an antitrust probe, in response to Apple’s decision to restrict iPhone app development to certain languages, and locking out translation tools.

You know you screwed up somewhere when two US government organizations are fighting over the right to anal probe you.

Source: Ars Technica