The Great iPhone Lockdown
source: http://www.slate.com/id/2224340/
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Should the FCC force Apple to sell Google's apps?
Apple has some explaining to do. Last week, the company banished every application that uses Google Voice—the search company's fantastic ring-all-your-phones telephone service—from the iPhone App Store. This wasn't unusual. Apple has been capriciously rejecting apps for reasons that it refuses to disclose since the App Store debuted; the only mild surprise was that Google, Apple's corporate ally, was on the receiving end. The truly shocking news came on Friday, when the Federal Communications Commission dashed off letters to Apple and AT&T asking why the apps were rejected.
The FCC has traditionally maintained a hands-off policy with regard to cell phone companies. But Julius Genachowski, the new FCC chairman, has vowed to increase competition in the wireless industry. The iPhone seems like the best place to start: It's the biggest new wireless software platform, and it's also the most locked-down. It's hard not to cheer—if mobile apps are going to prosper, it's time the government stepped in to keep Apple in line
Apple has some explaining to do. Last week, the company banished every application that uses Google Voice—the search company's fantastic ring-all-your-phones telephone service—from the iPhone App Store. This wasn't unusual. Apple has been capriciously rejecting apps for reasons that it refuses to disclose since the App Store debuted; the only mild surprise was that Google, Apple's corporate ally, was on the receiving end. The truly shocking news came on Friday, when the Federal Communications Commission dashed off letters to Apple and AT&T asking why the apps were rejected.
The FCC has traditionally maintained a hands-off policy with regard to cell phone companies. But Julius Genachowski, the new FCC chairman, has vowed to increase competition in the wireless industry. The iPhone seems like the best place to start: It's the biggest new wireless software platform, and it's also the most locked-down. It's hard not to cheer—if mobile apps are going to prosper, it's time the government stepped in to keep Apple in line
