Re: Apple submits patent for embedding advertising in OS!

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Patrick W. Gilmore" <patrick () ianai net>
Date: October 27, 2009 8:50:34 PM EDT
To: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>, Jim Warren <jwarren () well com>
Cc: "Patrick W. Gilmore" <patrick () ianai net>
Subject: Re: [IP] Apple submits patent for embedding advertising in OS!

On Oct 27, 2009, at 8:27 PM, David Farber wrote:

> Begin forwarded message:
>
> From: Jim Warren <jwarren () well com>
> Date: October 27, 2009 8:02:04 PM EDT
> To: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>
> Subject: Apple submits patent for embedding advertising in OS!
>
> Just what we need - our computer's operating-system forcing  
> advertising on us!
>
> Apparently it's not enough for Apple to force iPhone users to sign- 
> up for over-priced AT&T "services" (unless they're in Communist  
> China!), or block iPhone owners from using Flash, or prohibit  
> Netflix on some of its systems.

Of all the things Apple does wrong, this is what you decide to  
complain about?

The iPhone is a high-end smart phone, nearly every single one of which  
is tied to a specific provider.  Want to buy a Palm Pre, you need  
Sprint.  Going to rail against Palm?  And it's not just "communist  
China" that sells unlocked phones (although I would be careful which  
iPhone you buy in China, since 99% aren't iPhones).  Several countries  
(e.g. Australia) have laws forcing the sale of unlocked phones.  But  
those unlocked phones will cost you a lot more than buying a phone  
here and breaking your ATT contract.

Apple didn't "block" flash, they just didn't write software for it.   
Just like the majority of smartphones on the market today.  Going to  
rail against the rest of the industry?

And what "system" does not support Netflix?  Every Apple computer sold  
supports Netflix.  Perhaps you mean the AppleTV?  It is true that  
doesn't support Netflix, doesn't support Amazon Unbox either.   
Somehow, this does not shock me as the point of the AppleTV is to sell  
things off iTunes.  Turning this around, are you going to rail against  
Netflix because their set-top box does not support iTunes?


Every company has flaws.  As consumers we should push back when  
companies do stupid things.  But let's be rational about it.  If you  
do not like the options on the iPhone, don't buy one.  If you are  
upset at Apple for locking the iPhone to AT&T, that's reasonable, but  
do not single them out.  Fight for laws like Australia has.

There are so many other things Apple does which are silly or stupid or  
annoying that are genuine-Apple problems, I'm really kinda surprised  
this is the best list you could come up with.

--
TTFN,
patrick



> Now they've applied for a patent for embedding advertising in the  
> OS! (I'll bet Microsoft is envious!)
>
> [from PC World]  http://bit.ly/zrOtV
>
> Apple Applies for Patent on OS With Embedded Advertising
>
> Jeff Porten, Macworld.com
> Thursday, October 22, 2009 1:50 PM PDT
>
> "Want to launch Microsoft Office? Sure, but first a word from our  
> sponsor." That somewhat surreal scenario could become a reality,  
> based on a patent application filed by Apple, which was published  
> today by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. If this is ever  
> implemented on your Apple hardware, your Mac, iPhone, or Apple TV  
> may require you to watch and interact with advertisements in order  
> to use them.
>
> ... <SNIP> ...
>
> --jim; open-govt & tech-civlib advocate & sometime columnist
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Warren
> justjim36 on twitter  |  Jim Warren on Facebook
>
>
>
>
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