While browsing the net on my iPhone I ran into an article on TechCrunch that was centered around Steve Jobs’ comment as to why Apple doesn’t want to allow unsigned apps onto the iPhone. For clarity, an unsigned app simply means an app that was not acquired via the app store, and therefore not Apple-approved.
All too often I see this happening.
The comments at the end of the article are what got me involved. There was the usual Church of Apple followers, the Apple Bashers, those who demand more from manufacturers and then – this is what got me – those who were pushing the point of view that says shut up and take it. Acquiescence is a horribly dangerous mindset, in my opinion.
Here’s the Link: http://techcrunch.com/2010/04/08/steve-jobs-on-why-the-iphone-doesnt-allow-unsigned-apps-they-dont-want-a-porn-store/comment-page-2/
I have a few thoughts surrounding this topic, so I commented. Here’s my comment:
I’m writing from an iPhone AND I work in porn. I do not claim to know why Apple rejects porn but I’d hazard a guess at some business-relation reason. It is indeed true that the iPhone is way too tightly controlled and the ones who complain about that are those who enjoy the device and can see how much better it would be if it weren’t so restrictive. It is deeper than just using the market to vote for or against, and to say that one should either switch or shut up is 100% contrary to the principles of a free society with all of the associates rights and freedoms afforded to us via our Constitutions.
I believe that the iPhone was made for people to use – customers. Customers are being given only some of what they want, and it’s their right to speak out against it, and demand what they want. It is up to the supplier to submit to customer demand, or risk loss of market share.
Speaking to the pornification of movies and music, well, in my view that’s entirely accurate. I walk through the mall with my children and I have to explain why there’s a 15 foot photo of a woman in a lace bra and panties. I cannot let them listen to music until I check it out first. The same for music videos, television and movies. I never have to filter through the porn first because it’s not available to them categorically. The porn industry works harder to keep adult-oriented content away from the youth (obviously not their target market) than tv, movies, music, magazines – basically the whole mainstream.
So If porn made it to the iPhone it would be easier to keep kids from seeing adult content than It is right now. Simply password protect that portion of the app store, and associated apps.
Yea, I’ve again gone away from the focal point of the original post. There is so much more to what we see. Everything is so much deeper than it looks. The point is to not roll over and take it.
I think it is wrong for Apple to control the device so much.
I think it is wrong for the mainstream to throw sex in the face of children.
I think Steve is being a hypocrite.
When something is wrong, it is normal to become upset about it and take action to change it.
