Should Apple Open Source the iPhone? 379
An anonymous reader writes "Given the OpeniBoot project is just a breath away from getting Android onto the iPhone, maybe Apple should consider opening up the platform. This post has five reasons, but I think there are far more. Without open source, Apple will find itself in the same position as today's Microsoft in seven years."
Oh no! Success (Score:5, Funny)
Without open source, Apple will find itself in the same position as today's Microsoft in seven years.
The largest software producer on the planet? Perish the thought! That would be TERRIBLE!
Anyway, I don't like the iPhone either but let's face it, some people are zebras and others would just as soon kill you as open a pack of gum.
Re:Microsoft in 7 years? (Score:3, Funny)
I'm not saying OSS would be a bad move for Apple or the iPhone, but to say that if they aren't careful they might end up completely dominating the market and rolling around in mountains of cash isn't going to get your point across to most people.
Oh NOES!!! Teh moneeeez!!!!
Nah. (Score:5, Funny)
No, I think they should keep it as is, or maybe even lock it up even tighter.
Umm, what were you expecting Slashdotters to say?
Re:Oh no! Success (Score:1, Funny)
Without open source, Apple will find itself in the same position as today's Microsoft in seven years.
The largest software producer on the planet? Perish the thought! That would be TERRIBLE!
Anyway, I don't like the iPhone either but let's face it, some people are zebras and others would just as soon kill you as open a pack of gum.
Let's read that again: "today's Microsoft in seven years.".
Again, "today's Microsoft in seven years."
Are you sure that Microsoft WILL BE "The largest software producer on the planet" in 7 years? Looking after the whole Vista fiasco, the netbook war and how it seems that MS is starting to see more competence on OS market day to day... you sure that he'll still be the 1st ine in 7 years?
You heard it here first: 2015 is the year of Linux in the Desktop... if the LHC didn't destroy the universe in 2012.
Re:There is one final obstacle: (Score:3, Funny)
[citation needed]
Should Apple Open Source the iPhone? (Score:5, Funny)
Yes. They should also make it 100% based on Java.
Re:Nobody cares. (Score:1, Funny)
Re:those who dont learn from history (Score:5, Funny)
And those who do learn from history go mad while watching the same shit happen over and over again.
Re:There is one final obstacle: (Score:1, Funny)
[1] Anonymous Coward, picsofstevejobsatamethfuelledgaypartytenyearsago.com
It's good enough for Wikipedia!
Re:Oh no! Success (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Why the Bleep should they? (Score:1, Funny)
You just gave me a great idea for a cheap iPhone app.
Re:Well as an Apple stockholder (Score:5, Funny)
"Every single application that I've needed has, so far, been superior to its proprietary equivalent once I adapted to it."
Er... I think you'll have to define your terms there. Tell me, does that free software have wizards and shiny metal UIs? When you install a DVD burning util, does it install its own little media player and a few other little utils? A toolbar to help you browse the web more effectively? Call me back when the free software installs some other related software from other companies without even having to be asked. Often, that other software even automatically gives you hints as to how you can buy yet more software. I for one tried using Linux and found that it barely even gave me any incentive to upgrade my software as each version seemed to be backwards and forwards compatible with the other version. It was practically encouraging me switch over to something different. WHENEVER I FELT LIKE IT. It sucked basically.
I think that FOSS has a way to go before it has caught up with proprietary software.
Re:Well as an Apple stockholder (Score:3, Funny)
Microsoft isn't suffering from success, they're suffering from a profound lack of vision.
That may have been the wrong thing to say. Watch out for incoming chairs...