Alltop.com

I was thinking last night as I updated to the latest Snow Leopard, when Apple asked to upgrade I always say yes, when Microsoft asks I always say no... brainwash... maybe but it works for me

The customer lock-in is a major reason why I've never bought an Apple product, even though I think they're well designed. So there is some downside to engaging in these tactics.

gotta disagree, thanks to itunes, I don't feel like I can ever install QT again... pain thinking about the itunes download and seizure of my file extension associations... oh the pain!

But is it really lock-in? All data on the Mac (save maybe older songs and videos that are DRM'd) can be easily exported. Apple file data formats are pretty open. Most files can be opened on software on other operating systems.

The key is why would you want to because the experience that Apple offers is so much better. Leaving Windows for a Mac was a breath of Fresh Air. The prospect of leaving my mac for something else is nothing but stressful. In fact, I'll leave my Mac when you pry it from my cold dead hands.

I played around with Windows 7 recently and the feeling I got was that it was still windows with the inherent safety issues, viruses, etc. I've not had to worry about a virus in the nearly 5 years since I switched to Mac OS X. No anti-virus subscriptions to pay. No bloatware to clean off the system, it just works.

Well, the idea isn't bad. Create an entire suite and lock it down. No illegal break-ins (well, that's the idea) and a more secure stable system (again, that's the idea).

Personally I prefer choice and want to be able to change application for file type... So I'm not gonna invest in an Apple utopia just yet ;)

yeah, it's lock-in for most and malware for many, especially anyone incapable of scrubbing their machine to change players.

I do agree on the feeling of a Mac.

To me machines are just tools, just as the Mac has been, just as Next was, as BE was and Windows 7 is.

Just tools...
Fords, Chevys
Makita, Craftsman
Google, Bing

We're in such an infancy with this stuff, I truly believe something that feels even better is around the corner... Hopefully the apps will come and go from our environments more easily regardless of the platform or device...

To previous commenters: It's possible and easy to change file associations also on a Mac.

Tere are many many beautiful, cool, windows based computers that are coming out, and I like the design. Now That I want to buy a new computer, I would like to get one, But the interface is so much better, and create such good experience thatI can not go back.
I am on my second Macbook Pro. And I will be getting a Mac Pro for design school in a few weeks.

It is the Interface that is doing it. We should come up with something better.

isn't it the same with everyone, really? If you buy Windows software, you have to use Windows. If you buy an Android App, you have to have an Android phone. All the music on iTunes is DRM free, so it can go anywhere. And I'm pretty sure if you download a movie from the Zune store, you're DRM locked to the Zune.

So, where's the news? Seems like standard practice in the tech world...

No Apple user will be "locked and loaded" as a customer until they improve Safari significantly!!!

Why would you use anything other than iTunes anyway?

and don't get me started in games. PS3, XBox, and Wii all use DVD media, but they can't play each other's games. Isn't that a lock-in/lock-out as well?

Yeah, the article quoted Enderle. Game over.

Once you remove all the "lock ins" that are not specific to Apple, you're left with almost nothing. The Mac is not more closed an OS than Windows is. Microsoft doesn't let you go tinkering around in its guts, and there are Device Driver DDKs for both environments.

If Apple is such a bad boy, why are all the nerds building hackintoshes and trying so damned hard to get iTunes to sync their Pre's for them?

They always need something to bitch about.

"Unwanted applications during an install" And a PC, Microsoft person is one to talk?