3 ms·

Hard to say if just filing a patent on this is a sign of any sinister intent but I do agree with his earlier argument that Apple has placed its bets on the big

Hard to say if just filing a patent on this is a sign of any sinister intent but I do agree with his earlier argument that Apple has placed its bets on the big content cartels and the iPad is a delivery device for the products of such. You could argue that iTunes has made self-publishing easier than before but if you actually shop in the iTunes store all you're ever going to see is Justin Bieber and American Idol and other major label garbage unless you already know what you're looking for. Don't forget that Steve is on the board of Disney. Maybe it's slightly less user-friendly but a less centralized net is healthier and more interesting in the long run. Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. - Benjamin Franklin

AllenKids 15y ago
Which is why I want Google to be split into 6 companies and everybody should avoid Facebook Like button and comment system like a plague. Too centralized!!!
- william42 15y ago
  I have the Facebook Disconnect extension for Google Chrome installed for a reason.
  - AllenKids 15y ago
    I'm sure you believe you are making a difference. /runofthemillsnarkycomment
technoslut 15y ago
Isn't it a bit much to say that Apple has sided against the consumer? They certainly didn't do that with publishers when they wouldn't give up subscriber data and they didn't show it with their constant battles with the music industry and NBC. Regarding music discovery on iTunes, it has always been the case that if you want good music you're going to have to look for it. Popular music has always been the easiest to find, be it on iTunes or your local record store. My main concern is that iOS forces you to buy music only from iTunes. As for the patent, Apple patents anything. It doesn't mean it'll ever see the light of day. Some other ridiculous Apple patents: Apple patent application reveals ad-supported OS, desktop Armageddon http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/22/apple-patent-application-reveals-ad-supported-os-armageddon/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/22/apple-patent-application-... Timely Apple Patent Introduces iMac-Like Docking Station http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2008/01/timely-apple-patent-introduces-imac-like-docking-station.html http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2008/01/timely-a... Apple patent shifts controls to rear of iPod http://www.slashgear.com/apple-patent-shifts-controls-to-rear-of-ipod-105191/ http://www.slashgear.com/apple-patent-shifts-controls-to-rea...
- cageface 15y ago
  I don't think Apple is actively anti-consumer but it's clear to me where their primary loyalties lie. As for music, there are a half-dozen better curated specialty music stores I patronize that provide a far, far better customer experience than iTunes (check boomkat and hyperion records for example), but perhaps I'm willing to work harder to find new and interesting music than the average buyer. And sure everybody is filing all kinds of spurious patents right now but it's hard to imagine how this one could be used defensively.
  - protomyth 15y ago
    Apple's loyalty is to Steve Jobs and his is to his vision. Consumers or publishers are just players in the vision.
  - technoslut 15y ago
    Thank you for the recommendations because I never knew of them. I may be a music connoisseur but I don't know all the spots to go which was my point. All I had the time for was checking out GorillavsBear, Stereogum and checking out reviews on Pitchfork and Spin. I really don't know what these patents were intended for. Apple has had a history of using a patent for a completely different scenario than what is described. It may be the tech behind it that was important and not the described use.
- billybob 15y ago
  Whether they'll do it isn't the point. If a patent is, by its nature, meant to restrict user and citizen freedom, why have it? If your neighbor collects guns, that may be no cause for alarm; hunting is a legitimate activity. But if your neighbor stockpiles napalm, his saying "I wouldn't use it" isn't very reassuring. It has no purpose but to burn you to death. The only charitable reading I can see of this patent is that Apple patented it to keep its evil competitors from using this. But that's highly dubious. If that's what they wanted to do, they could have openly said so and immediately donated the patent to the EFF or someone like that.
  - 15y ago
ethank 15y ago
Can we not let Hacker News become Reddit please? Anyone who has actually dealt with Apple as a content provider knows that they strong-arm big content providers for the benefit of their consumer. Apple's best friend are those that spend money on them, i.e. the user. And please for the love of all that is good in the world let us not confuse a patent filing with a product roadmap. If Apple executed a product roadmap dictated by their patent disclosures they would look like.... Sony?

AllenKids 15y ago

Which is why I want Google to be split into 6 companies and everybody should avoid Facebook Like button and comment system like a plague. Too centralized!!!

william42 15y ago
I have the Facebook Disconnect extension for Google Chrome installed for a reason.
- AllenKids 15y ago
  I'm sure you believe you are making a difference. /runofthemillsnarkycomment

technoslut 15y ago

Isn't it a bit much to say that Apple has sided against the consumer? They certainly didn't do that with publishers when they wouldn't give up subscriber data and they didn't show it with their constant battles with the music industry and NBC. Regarding music discovery on iTunes, it has always been the case that if you want good music you're going to have to look for it. Popular music has always been the easiest to find, be it on iTunes or your local record store. My main concern is that iOS forces you to buy music only from iTunes. As for the patent, Apple patents anything. It doesn't mean it'll ever see the light of day. Some other ridiculous Apple patents: Apple patent application reveals ad-supported OS, desktop Armageddon http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/22/apple-patent-application-reveals-ad-supported-os-armageddon/ http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/22/apple-patent-application-... Timely Apple Patent Introduces iMac-Like Docking Station http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2008/01/timely-apple-patent-introduces-imac-like-docking-station.html http://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2008/01/timely-a... Apple patent shifts controls to rear of iPod http://www.slashgear.com/apple-patent-shifts-controls-to-rear-of-ipod-105191/ http://www.slashgear.com/apple-patent-shifts-controls-to-rea...

cageface 15y ago
I don't think Apple is actively anti-consumer but it's clear to me where their primary loyalties lie. As for music, there are a half-dozen better curated specialty music stores I patronize that provide a far, far better customer experience than iTunes (check boomkat and hyperion records for example), but perhaps I'm willing to work harder to find new and interesting music than the average buyer. And sure everybody is filing all kinds of spurious patents right now but it's hard to imagine how this one could be used defensively.
- protomyth 15y ago
  Apple's loyalty is to Steve Jobs and his is to his vision. Consumers or publishers are just players in the vision.
- technoslut 15y ago
  Thank you for the recommendations because I never knew of them. I may be a music connoisseur but I don't know all the spots to go which was my point. All I had the time for was checking out GorillavsBear, Stereogum and checking out reviews on Pitchfork and Spin. I really don't know what these patents were intended for. Apple has had a history of using a patent for a completely different scenario than what is described. It may be the tech behind it that was important and not the described use.
billybob 15y ago
Whether they'll do it isn't the point. If a patent is, by its nature, meant to restrict user and citizen freedom, why have it? If your neighbor collects guns, that may be no cause for alarm; hunting is a legitimate activity. But if your neighbor stockpiles napalm, his saying "I wouldn't use it" isn't very reassuring. It has no purpose but to burn you to death. The only charitable reading I can see of this patent is that Apple patented it to keep its evil competitors from using this. But that's highly dubious. If that's what they wanted to do, they could have openly said so and immediately donated the patent to the EFF or someone like that.
- 15y ago

ethank 15y ago

Can we not let Hacker News become Reddit please? Anyone who has actually dealt with Apple as a content provider knows that they strong-arm big content providers for the benefit of their consumer. Apple's best friend are those that spend money on them, i.e. the user. And please for the love of all that is good in the world let us not confuse a patent filing with a product roadmap. If Apple executed a product roadmap dictated by their patent disclosures they would look like.... Sony?