not really any data, but just an observance, it seems like if you walk onto a college campus these days, almost everyone is carrying a macbook compared to a few years ago when i rarely saw people with apple computers.
No. It's only because we feel so much affection for Apple's products that their business practices provoke so much outrage. In comparison, when was the last time anyone got really worked up about Microsoft?
How about us that don't have any affection for Apple's products?
Much like Facebook, I'm personally shocked by the tactics of both these companies.
People were very worked up about Microsoft and their business practices about a decade ago. Actually, I'd say people were worked up about Vista, and that is what may have opened the door more for Apple.
The big differences between the two as I see it is that the questionable business practices of Microsoft were directed at manufacturers and had a somewhat indirect effect on the end users.
for most people, did it matter if the default browser was/is IE?
This is something that mostly effected competitors, and Microsoft never said you couldn't run another browser.
By comparison, it seems the business practices at Apple affect both business and consumers.
Ignoring the app store developer stuff, it is harmful to consumers to have a company tell them what they can and cannot have on their devices.
Many people have talked about Apple having the right to decide what apps they sell, and I agree. The challenge is that they are the only store in the ecosystem, the only way to reach those customers (with the exception of the browser).
But we wouldn't allow GM to say that you can only fill up your car at Shell. Or that your flex-fuel vehicle can only run E10.
As the owner of a product, YOU get to define what you do with it. It isn't up to the manufacturer to decide.
I suspect I'm going to have the same issue with Windows 7 Phone when it comes out.
Controlled ecosystems are bad for innovation and consumers.
"..., it is harmful to consumers to have a company tell them what they can and cannot have on their devices."
While I agree in theory, my practical world of PCs laden with malware & viruses tells me otherwise. Consumer protections is sometimes protecting the consumer from himself.
Personally I just ordered an Asus netbook after being all Apple for 3+ years. I'm going back to Linux... can't stand around and watch the walls close around me.
Money speaks louder then words. This smells like link bait.