Apple Facing Antitrust Inquiry Over Flash-to-iPhone Compiler Ban?
According to a person familiar with the matter, the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission are locked in negotiations over which of the watchdogs will begin an antitrust inquiry into Apple's new policy of requiring software developers who devise applications for devices such as the iPhone and iPad to use only Apple's programming tools.
Regulators, this person said, are days away from making a decision about which agency will launch the inquiry. It will focus on whether the policy, which took effect last month, kills competition by forcing programmers to choose between developing apps that can run only on Apple gizmos or come up with apps that are platform neutral, and can be used on a variety of operating systems, such as those from rivals Google, Microsoft and Research In Motion.
With respect to the compiler issue, Jobs' argument rests on the claim that adding a middle layer between the iPhone OS and applications would result in an unsatisfactory user experience and hamper developments due to reliance on those third parties for rolling out new features and other changes. Apple prefers that developers "stand directly on the shoulders" of iPhone OS, as it aims to deliver "the most advanced and innovative platform" to assist them with their app creation.
Update: Reuters is corroborating the claim that an inquiry is under consideration.
Top Rated Comments
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If justice exists in this world it should smack Apple's botty rather hard here!
Saying that, I wouldn't dev for it in any case, not any more, so can't care less about final outcome...
In any case - bring it on please!
iPhone is far from a monopoly, and surely Apple can dictate what tools are used to develop with? Developers are quite welcome to drop Apple mobile development and be quite happy to continue with other smartphone platforms.
It will focus on whether the policy, which took effect last month, kills competition by forcing programmers to choose between developing apps that can run only on Apple gizmos or come up with apps that are platform neutral, and can be used on a variety of operating systems, such as those from rivals Google, Microsoft and Research In Motion.
I'm no lawyer, but doesn't the fact the developers CAN choose obviate anti-trust?
Apple's position may be a bad business decision, but does it really rise to the level of being illegal?
While this is a good move I just don't see how Apple could lose.
iPhone is far from a monopoly, and surely Apple can dictate what tools are used to develop with?
Apple making statements like they are the largest mobile manufacturer certainly don't help.
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