Boycott Apple Arrogance [Boycott Finished - We won!]

In my opinion, Apple’s recent developer restrictions are not based on reason.  They are based on a corporate culture of arrogance and disrespect.  Apple does exactly what they want whenever they want.  They have little concern about the effect on the software developers, who make the iPhone OS a viable platform.

Before April 8th, the Apple developer agreement section 3.3.1:

Applications may only use Documented APIs in the manner prescribed by Apple and must not use or call any private APIs.

In the new iPhone OS 4.0 developer agreement, section 3.3.1 was changed to:

Applications may only use Documented APIs in the manner prescribed by Apple and must not use or call any private APIs. Applications must be originally written in Objective-C, C, C++, or JavaScript as executed by the iPhone OS WebKit engine, and only code written in C, C++, and Objective-C may compile and directly link against the Documented APIs (e.g., Applications that link to Documented APIs through an intermediary translation or compatibility layer or tool are prohibited).

There is no good reason to force developers to use archaic programming languages that are bug prone and less secure for creating native iPhone OS apps.   The new restrictions have one purpose, lock developers into Apple’s outdated, dead-end programming tools, which benefits only Apple.

As of now, iPhone OS development only makes sense for 100% Apple zealots, who mindlessly follow Apple’s ever-changing dictates.  For most  developers, investing time and money creating iPhone OS applications is foolish.  Apple does not want to work “with you”, they only want to “use you”.   Apple is an unreliable business partner.

Of course, Apple’s bad behavior is sad.  They make great hardware and the iPhone OS does many things right.  It’s fun to create a slick iPhone application (which could be done in almost any programming language).

But Apple won’t change their anti-developer behavior until they realize that it threatens the future of the iPhone OS platform.  Since Apple has been and still could be a force for good, let’s help them realize this sooner.

Boycott Apple.  If Apple disrespects and overly restricts software developers, let’s stop buying and using their products.  And let’s not create applications for Apple hardware.  Lower profits and growth rates are the only things that will burst Apple’s arrogance bubble.

But wait, the mobile space is the cutting edge and future of computing!  Many savvy developers want be in this space.  Luckily, they still can.

After a very short time, newer Android phones are as good as or better than the iPhone.  In terms of number of devices and software market, Android will surpass iPhone in 2010. Use your creativity and skills to make Android devices the ones consumers want most.

Android is open and gives developers choice.  It provides freedom to create great applications, without someone like Steve Jobs telling you, what you can do and how you can do it.  Besides Java, more programming languages are coming to Android, such as C# and ActionScript. Native code (C/C++/D etc.) is an option too.

Make an example of Apple.   Show them (and other big tech companies) that when they act like arrogant dictators towards software developers, their products flounder.   The truth is, Apple needs developers more than developers need Apple.

[As of 10-Sept-2010, I'm calling off my jihad against Apple's anti-developer policies.  Reason: Apple rescinded their ridiculous restrictions against developers choosing their own tools and languages!  The developer backlash against Apple succeeded!  Visit InfoQ for their story about  Apple's revised developer policies. ]

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