Steve Jobs recently penned a missive “explaining” Apple’s reasons for failing to integrate Adobe’s Flash technology (a
standard for games and entertainment online) into its iPhone, iPod and iPad devices.
His argument? Flash “falls short” of what it could be and what is needed on a mobile device.
What would Jobs have said if everyone jumped Apple’s ship when their iPod batteries “fell short” of operating for more than a year? Rather than fix the known problem, they continued to sell iPods with faulty batteries.
They followed the same strategy with faulty power supplies that burned out after a year or two and power cords that ripped and failed. Did Apple quickly fix the problems, apologize for the inconvenience, correct the problem?
Of course not — that’s not Apple’s MO. Customers who stuck it out can buy replace
From a company that engages in that kind of “customer service,” complaints that Flash “falls short” of what it could be ring hypocritical.
Adding to that hypocrisy, Jobs complains that Flash is a “proprietary” and “closed” system. Really, Apple? So you can’t take your own medicine, is that the problem? Apple continues to create a closed, stifling environment for developers and yet criticizes Adobe for the same thing?
While I’m not a fan of Adobe’s encouragement of a probe into Apple’s monopolistic tactics in mobile technology, I am in favor of Apple becoming a team player in the mobile marketplace. Until then, I’m sticking with my open and ever-improving Android phone.
