I’m done with Apple [Update: some clarification]

(I have been thinking about writing this article for a LONG time, but never got around doing it. Today I read a post by Lee Brimelow titled “Apple Slaps Developers In The Face”  http://theflashblog.com/?p=1888 which combined with Gizmodo’s article on Apple’s latest developer agreement policy http://gizmodo.com/5512847/apple-takes-developers-hostage-in-war-on-adobe was the tipping point for me to finish typing this. So, here it goes!)

The day Apple became consumer devices company (i.e. focusing most of R&D on the non-tech crowd), I started losing interest in that company. It became just another Samsung/GE/Sandisk. If it weren’t for good developers making fantastic apps on the Mac platform (NOT mobile, but the good old Mac), I would’ve donated my iMac long time ago.

I am not saying Apple is an uninteresting company now, because that is definitely not true. It’s unarguably one of the most exciting consumer devices company today. What I have realized in last 3-4 years is that Apple has slowly and steadily become uninteresting for me. Apple hasn’t done any radical advances in their iMac/Pro platforms. All their focus is on consumer devices like iPhone, iPod, iPad, and basically iDontCare kind of devices. They are making the computers and technology more accessible to people who aren’t as tech-savvy, which is great, but just not interesting for me. While all that is going on, something radical has also started shaping up in the way Apple deals with bridging computing devices with consumer devices; and that has to do with the “openness” of the devices. And no, I’m not referring to open as in open-source, but rather open as in open to third-party for incredible innovation without bowing down to Apple. I disagree with all the lock-down and draconian (I know, they’re cliché words now, but that’s the best I got) measures in the name of simplicity and usability. Especially the latest madness about developing AppStore apps using C/C++/Objective C ONLY has given the developer inside me enough reasons to stop spending any additional dollar on Apple until these useless rules change.

I am definitely NOT against a proprietary or “closed” system, but the kind of control Apple is demanding, is beyond unacceptable. I agree that this is a great step for Apple as a business, and the end-users aren’t going to notice any differences. In fact, this rule tries to guarantee that for an average non-techie iPhone user, the apps are going to continue to look beautiful and work like the user is used to seeing. And therefore I say that the company hasn’t become uninteresting for general audience (quite contrary on the other hand), but that it has become quite uninteresting (and offensive at some levels) to me.

I agree when Lee says in his post that him not buying Apple products is not going to make any dent in Apple’s bank account. In addition to what’s mentioned in Lee’s article (and I agree with every single point there), all I can say is that I can’t keep supporting Apple in good conscience. I’m done with Apple…. for now. Apple managed to lose an Apple fanatic!

UPDATE: After a few conversations, I thought I’d add this little clarification note. I’m not boycotting Apple forever; because that would be stupid. If they pay attention to their computer lineup and make sure it doesn’t become another AppStore mayhem, I’ll be on it. Also, I’m not saying Adobe does everything correctly/truthfully and is the best company on planet. In fact, I don’t even mention Adobe in my post. I am only agreeing with the personal opinion of Lee Brimelow, that’s it! Apple/CS5 thing just happened few days, but as I said in the intro of this article, I’ve been seeing Apple paying less attention to iMac/Pro lineup for a while now, and that is the only product line I’m interested in. So, Apple has been becoming uninteresting to me. Apple sees lot more money in consumer devices, so it makes perfect sense for them to focus there. My fandom for Apple was due to their computer and OS line-up, not for their ipod/iphone/idontcare lineup. Think of this post as making a personal statement, and not making a sensational statement! (PS: Thanks for reading this far!)