*update* I've got a pretty solid setup now with a wifi only iphone 4. I couldn't beat the typing interface for my daily writing. I haven't found a need to unlock it yet.
- iPhone is a fundamentally closed architecture. Sure lots of developers are working through the store to get access to a large market, but the store's cut isn't the only tax. Apple is the gatekeeper and has proven that it will block competition. For examples see Skype & Google Voice. Additionally the approval time for updates is too slow, taking weeks or more
- Web apps are much more appealing alternative for developers who want the biggest market without having to rewrite the same app for multiple architectures. I recognize that web apps don't have full access to the device hardware. Expect this trend to change rapidly
- I'm not the administrator on my own hardware (without jailbreaking) which is a pita without a mac. Software apps or Apple can push updates I don't want. Jailbreaking an Android is trivial by comparison. Being in the drivers seat of my own hardware destiny matters to me
- No choice of data provider. Put aside the debate of dumb pipes, AT&T vs Verizon vs Sprint vs Tmobile. Choice is the foundation of competition. I want businesses competing ferociously to be my mobile web service provider. I want the mobile Net commodotized and absolutely transparent. Providers should be dynamic not static, the cheapest bit wins
- iTunes doesn't work on Linux. Sure I can get wine to emulate windows and the push the iPod patch and it may work (it flaked on my setup) but why should I have to?
- For the same reason Microsoft was a monopoly for integrating their crappy Internet Explorer browser Apple should have to decouple their store from their hardware. Let me buy through whoever I want (go Magnatune & Last.fm!). I admit IE has gotten better since they were forced to decouple their web browser from the OS. Competition is a good thing for users/customers and the stability of businesses
- For me it comes down to user experience. I'd much prefer a solid under the hood infrastructure and choice of windowing/interface environmet. It's why Ubuntu flavored Linux is working great for me. If only I could slap that on my mobile...
Things that no mobile provider has official support for but it should be the defaut:
- Tethering. One monthly bill for all my data usage (4G I'm looking at you). No special tax for voice or SMS colored data or cost multipliers because I have a laptop or desktop at home. $70/month for fat bandwidth is more than enough to cover my data needs. I shouldn't have to lay $80-110 per device or an extra $50 for a landline
This is a followup to Apple and AT&T are pulling a Thelma & Louise.
Disclaimer: I don't hate Apple, I've enjoyed my iPhone mobile for a few years for the Net access it has given me (2G and 3Gs). My fiancé Michelle had a wonderful experience setting up her iMac.