3 ms·

Having firmware locked to only work under a given OS. It's pretty much a textbook definition of anticompetitive practice.

by muyuu 14y ago

rplnt 14y ago
First of all, the firmware does not prevent you to use other OS. Only one function is locked to Windows and it seems Microsoft is open to allowing others to boot with it [sidenote]. Secondly, every single iPhone/iPad is locked to boot iOS; most of the phones with Android are locked as well. (And obviously Windows phones are locked too). And by locked I mean locked, not few clicks away from using the device as you wish (as is the case with notebooks and desktop computers). How come it's not rendered illegal? Sidenote: I agree with the fact that Microsoft shouldn't be the one deciding who gets the key and who doesn't. My opinion on this is that if everyone can't agree on one impartial organization then hardware manufacturers should be the one deciding it. Obviously it would be best if users could add their own keys.
- muyuu 14y ago
  It would be suicidal to accept that, it would settle a tremendously dangerous precedent. This should never be accepted, full stop.
cooldeal 14y ago
Google ships Chromebooks with secure boot enabled too. Does it get a free pass because it's not a monopoly?
- muyuu 14y ago
  Not sure why you seem to assume I give Google a free pass. Hope they get sued to high hell, but in the meanwhile I'm just not buying them as a computer that's useless outside of Google's cloud is also outside of my interests.
  - jsolson 14y ago
    To be fair, they also clearly publish how to enable "Developer mode" which lets you do more or less whatever you want for each new model of Chromebook. Admittedly, it's harder for some than others: http://www.chromium.org/chromium-os/developer-information-for-chrome-os-devices/chromebook-pixel#TOC-Entering-Developer-Mode1 http://www.chromium.org/chromium-os/developer-information-fo...
- SkyMarshal 14y ago
  >Does it get a free pass because it's not a monopoly? That would not be unprecedented. Part of the US anti-trust code says you cannot tie one product to a monopoly product. It's one of the reasons MS lost their anti-trust case vs the US DOJ back in the 90s, illegally tying secondary products to their Windows monopoly. That might not directly apply in this case, not sure, but to answer your question, yes being a monopoly or not does effect how anti-trust laws are applied to you.

Having firmware locked to only work under a given OS. It's pretty much a textbook definition of anticompetitive practice.

by muyuu 14y ago

Having firmware locked to only work under a given OS. It's pretty much a textbook definition of anticompetitive practice.

rplnt 14y ago

First of all, the firmware does not prevent you to use other OS. Only one function is locked to Windows and it seems Microsoft is open to allowing others to boot with it [sidenote]. Secondly, every single iPhone/iPad is locked to boot iOS; most of the phones with Android are locked as well. (And obviously Windows phones are locked too). And by locked I mean locked, not few clicks away from using the device as you wish (as is the case with notebooks and desktop computers). How come it's not rendered illegal? Sidenote: I agree with the fact that Microsoft shouldn't be the one deciding who gets the key and who doesn't. My opinion on this is that if everyone can't agree on one impartial organization then hardware manufacturers should be the one deciding it. Obviously it would be best if users could add their own keys.

muyuu 14y ago
It would be suicidal to accept that, it would settle a tremendously dangerous precedent. This should never be accepted, full stop.

cooldeal 14y ago

Google ships Chromebooks with secure boot enabled too. Does it get a free pass because it's not a monopoly?

muyuu 14y ago
Not sure why you seem to assume I give Google a free pass. Hope they get sued to high hell, but in the meanwhile I'm just not buying them as a computer that's useless outside of Google's cloud is also outside of my interests.
- jsolson 14y ago
  To be fair, they also clearly publish how to enable "Developer mode" which lets you do more or less whatever you want for each new model of Chromebook. Admittedly, it's harder for some than others: http://www.chromium.org/chromium-os/developer-information-for-chrome-os-devices/chromebook-pixel#TOC-Entering-Developer-Mode1 http://www.chromium.org/chromium-os/developer-information-fo...
SkyMarshal 14y ago
>Does it get a free pass because it's not a monopoly? That would not be unprecedented. Part of the US anti-trust code says you cannot tie one product to a monopoly product. It's one of the reasons MS lost their anti-trust case vs the US DOJ back in the 90s, illegally tying secondary products to their Windows monopoly. That might not directly apply in this case, not sure, but to answer your question, yes being a monopoly or not does effect how anti-trust laws are applied to you.