In the New York Times article, Want an iPhone? Beware the iHandcuffs, the headline made me think that this would be about Apple limiting developers ability to write software for the iPhone. Instead, this is about DRM.
Why would any company change a successful formula? While I don't like it, FairPlay has been hugely successful. As long as it continues to be successful, Apple would be stupid to change. And it has had an important role in the evolution of the music industry.
I'm not sure why Randall has his shirt in a knot. DRM is a no brainer to remove using a CD-RW. Also, online stores, like eMusic, are going to change the music map once again. If the competition is there, Apple's music business would have to evolve or die.
Even if I would rather have DRM-free tunes, the whole iTunes/iPod/computer system works really really well. If you don't like it - don't buy it. That's the best message to send to any company.
But Randall shoots his own rant in the foot. He wants to see DRM free music. Such music is emerging in the market and it will play on the iPod. So... why do I care that only iTunes DRM music will play on the iPod. I can get an iPod and load it up with all sorts of MP3's. Why is it crippled? If I didn't like the iPod or iTunes, why did I buy one?
This whole fury around Apple's DRM is like someone blaming Apple because the Windows 95 he bought doesn't run on his PowerPC Mac.
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Monday, January 15, 2007
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