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Considering the number of young kids that now carry iPod Touches, and Apple's aspirations of overtaking the Nintendo DS as a kids gaming device, I think this is

Considering the number of young kids that now carry iPod Touches, and Apple's aspirations of overtaking the Nintendo DS as a kids gaming device, I think this is part of Apple trying to be careful about what it exposes children to. They don't want their products to carry a stigma with parents.

tjmaxal 16y ago
The idea that Apple is worried about what it exposes kids to is apparent in the "over 17" pop up. The idea that Apple is worried about exposing kids to gay sex is just laughable.
- ryanhuff 16y ago
  Really? Isn't it clear that Apple is positioning the ipod/iphone as the non-porn device? See Steve Job's multiple mentions of Android as the porn device. http://techcrunch.com/2010/04/19/steve-jobs-android-porn/ http://techcrunch.com/2010/04/19/steve-jobs-android-porn/ http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/04/steve-jobs-porn/ http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/04/steve-jobs-porn/ http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2010/04/20/steve-jobs-email-repeats-android-porn-claim/ http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2010/04/20/steve-jobs-email-rep... Look, this is business. Apple isn't out to rid the world of adult material. But it is worried how parents might view their products. The kid market is significant, but if parents are worried that they're handing over a device that has a negative stigma, they'll buy a DS or something else.
- drivebyacct 16y ago
  This just in, kissing = gay sex. Also, tjmaxal is defending apple and homophobia up and down this thread.
  - ryanhuff 16y ago
    Despite your personal views of whether this material is suitable for general consumption, wouldn't you agree that many parents would have concerns with their kids having access to the material presented in this comic?
    - drivebyacct 16y ago
      Yes. This is not reason enough for Apple to censor it which is what this discussion boils down to. Is it okay for Apple to censor interracial couples in comics? Come on, this is the 21st century. Apple has no place censoring this. Should we have a homo-flag to qualify apps as suitable or not suitable for bigots?
jgg 16y ago
Boy, I'm sure glad Apple is helping bigoted parents everywhere prevent their kids from being exposed to the idea of same-sex relationships. As Apple keeps getting more and more authoritarian, I find it hilarious that the hipster demographic that Apple originally marketed to is slowly having to become more and more conservative to remain fanboys.
- ryanhuff 16y ago
  In my mind, Apple has made a determination that such content may be sensitive to some parents. Its obvious that the iPod/iPhone/iPad platform (apps) is not a distribution channel for free speech. From a business perspective, I understand why Apple is doing this. Agreeing with it or not is another matter, and doesn't help understand Apple's reasoning.
  - jgg 16y ago
    In my mind, Apple has made a determination that such content may be sensitive to some parents. Right, so that way kids can be shoved off to another magical media device, and the parents can put the exposure of the child to "offensive content" in the hands of a giant company. We saw this same thing with music, movies and video games. Same shit, different day. Its obvious that the iPod/iPhone/iPad platform (apps) is not a distribution channel for free speech. Then why would anyone want to use it? Where do you draw the line? Can we censor pictures of the Iraq War in the App Store under the veneer of "respect for the families"? If Apple forbids content that questions the authority of the US government and hides behind the facade of "national security", is it still okay? Where is the right spot to draw the big red moral line? I think there isn't one, and Apple will just keep moving the goalpost until people stop refusing to buy their products. When faced with someone who isn't and won't be a customer due to a moral issue, you can either convince them to change their morals, or bend over backwards to shape your content to please them. Guess which is easier? Which leads me to my next point... From a business perspective, I understand why Apple is doing this. Agreeing with it or not is another matter, and doesn't help understand Apple's reasoning. I know what Apple's reasoning is - build an image to sucker in the largest number of consumers. It's the same thing every other company does; they want to make money! Is there really any interesting analysis to be had talking about their reasoning?
deleted 16y ago
[deleted]
kristofferR 16y ago
Apple is pro-gay rights. They donated 100 000$ to the anti-Prop 8 campaign in 2008. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/techchron/detail?blogid=19&entry_id=31899 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/techchron/detail?blogid=...
- aphyr 16y ago
  Agreed, but what Apple philanthropy believes and what the app store approval monkeys insist on are by no means congruent. ;)

tjmaxal 16y ago

The idea that Apple is worried about what it exposes kids to is apparent in the "over 17" pop up. The idea that Apple is worried about exposing kids to gay sex is just laughable.

ryanhuff 16y ago
Really? Isn't it clear that Apple is positioning the ipod/iphone as the non-porn device? See Steve Job's multiple mentions of Android as the porn device. http://techcrunch.com/2010/04/19/steve-jobs-android-porn/ http://techcrunch.com/2010/04/19/steve-jobs-android-porn/ http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/04/steve-jobs-porn/ http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/04/steve-jobs-porn/ http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2010/04/20/steve-jobs-email-repeats-android-porn-claim/ http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2010/04/20/steve-jobs-email-rep... Look, this is business. Apple isn't out to rid the world of adult material. But it is worried how parents might view their products. The kid market is significant, but if parents are worried that they're handing over a device that has a negative stigma, they'll buy a DS or something else.
drivebyacct 16y ago
This just in, kissing = gay sex. Also, tjmaxal is defending apple and homophobia up and down this thread.
- ryanhuff 16y ago
  Despite your personal views of whether this material is suitable for general consumption, wouldn't you agree that many parents would have concerns with their kids having access to the material presented in this comic?
  - drivebyacct 16y ago
    Yes. This is not reason enough for Apple to censor it which is what this discussion boils down to. Is it okay for Apple to censor interracial couples in comics? Come on, this is the 21st century. Apple has no place censoring this. Should we have a homo-flag to qualify apps as suitable or not suitable for bigots?

jgg 16y ago

Boy, I'm sure glad Apple is helping bigoted parents everywhere prevent their kids from being exposed to the idea of same-sex relationships. As Apple keeps getting more and more authoritarian, I find it hilarious that the hipster demographic that Apple originally marketed to is slowly having to become more and more conservative to remain fanboys.

ryanhuff 16y ago
In my mind, Apple has made a determination that such content may be sensitive to some parents. Its obvious that the iPod/iPhone/iPad platform (apps) is not a distribution channel for free speech. From a business perspective, I understand why Apple is doing this. Agreeing with it or not is another matter, and doesn't help understand Apple's reasoning.
- jgg 16y ago
  In my mind, Apple has made a determination that such content may be sensitive to some parents. Right, so that way kids can be shoved off to another magical media device, and the parents can put the exposure of the child to "offensive content" in the hands of a giant company. We saw this same thing with music, movies and video games. Same shit, different day. Its obvious that the iPod/iPhone/iPad platform (apps) is not a distribution channel for free speech. Then why would anyone want to use it? Where do you draw the line? Can we censor pictures of the Iraq War in the App Store under the veneer of "respect for the families"? If Apple forbids content that questions the authority of the US government and hides behind the facade of "national security", is it still okay? Where is the right spot to draw the big red moral line? I think there isn't one, and Apple will just keep moving the goalpost until people stop refusing to buy their products. When faced with someone who isn't and won't be a customer due to a moral issue, you can either convince them to change their morals, or bend over backwards to shape your content to please them. Guess which is easier? Which leads me to my next point... From a business perspective, I understand why Apple is doing this. Agreeing with it or not is another matter, and doesn't help understand Apple's reasoning. I know what Apple's reasoning is - build an image to sucker in the largest number of consumers. It's the same thing every other company does; they want to make money! Is there really any interesting analysis to be had talking about their reasoning?

deleted 16y ago

[deleted]

kristofferR 16y ago

Apple is pro-gay rights. They donated 100 000$ to the anti-Prop 8 campaign in 2008. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/techchron/detail?blogid=19&entry_id=31899 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/techchron/detail?blogid=...

aphyr 16y ago
Agreed, but what Apple philanthropy believes and what the app store approval monkeys insist on are by no means congruent. ;)