Will Apple's Congressional Testimony Affect our Boating Apps?

[Maldwin]

I love all my Apple products because they make my life easier. I am happy to pay a little more to have seamless integration, and I have never wanted to throw my iPad out the window as I did with some windows products. I haven’t tried Android products because I am happy with what I have.
Best,
Maldwin

 

[Mark P]

It gets crystal clear if we apply what these Tech companies are doing to other common products. So, let's use a Ford Explorer as an example. Let's imagine that Ford requires that you buy all maintenance from them or no warranty, or you cannot listen to music via Blue Tooth in your car unless that music was bought from Ford. We already know the Gov't required all auto makers to open the codes to their systems so Pep Boys can fix your car. Could you imagine how expensive repairing a car would be if the car companies to keep the codes secret? Imagine how good and cheap our navigation apps would be if these app developers did not have to comply with Tech company rules and profit mark-ups?

 

[stubones99]

Locking a farmer to a certified repair company / dealer can require them to drag a dead tractor onto a truck and haul it to the repair center 200 miles away while their crops die in the field...
Or pay $125 an hour for windshield time to have a tech scheduled to come check on the issue, only to require it to be in the service center for the repair.

The good news is that older non-electronic tractors are being fixed up and run forever.
The other good news is they are built to run forever...

My dream trawler would have two 80 hp NA Deutz air cooled engines pushing it. It would last longer than all of us combined.

 

[catalinajack]

Yup. I refuse to buy into the Apple fanboy group. Notj to be gained there but a lot of money out the door for nothing better.

I use Windows and Android and they also works 99% of the time.

Different strokes.

 

[catalinajack]

Never tried Android. And, you continue to pay a premium for Apple products that are no better. Bad habits are difficult to break.

I love all my Apple products because they make my life easier. I am happy to pay a little more to have seamless integration, and I have never wanted to throw my iPad out the window as I did with some windows products. I haven’t tried Android products because I am happy with what I have.
Best,
Maldwin

 

[Frosty]

It gets crystal clear if we apply what these Tech companies are doing to other common products. So, let's use a Ford Explorer as an example. Let's imagine that Ford requires that you buy all maintenance from them or no warranty, or you cannot listen to music via Blue Tooth in your car unless that music was bought from Ford.

I'm about as far from a lawyer as you can get, so this is just me noodling. But I'm not sure I agree with that comparison. Because music in a car is a "side function." Apps and programs on a computer/device are the main function.

Can you buy a Ford with a Chevy engine? No? That's not fair. Why should Ford control it? Etc.

I do use Apple products and am happy with them. Again, I don't know the legalities, but I kind of get that they would want to control it in the way that Ford wants to put their engine in.

I've always been able to have my Macs repaired elsewhere if I wanted to (or do it myself). Not that I have had to make too many repairs, but some. OTOH, I get treated pretty well with repairs by Apple. The one time I took my computer to a non-Apple repair place they scratched it all to heck, so now I either repair myself (thanks to iFixit guides) or have Apple do it.

Note that I'm not saying my argument above is correct or legal - I really don't know. But I'm just saying that your example of music in the car is more like a case for an Apple product (a side function) and you can buy those from anyone you want.

PS: I have zero issues with anyone wanting to use Android or other products. I do slightly resent the implication that I'm wasting my money on "bad habits" by buying Apple. It's just my choice, like which boats I (or you) buy.

 

[Peter B]

I'm with you Frosty. The seamless integration of the Apple stuff, aided by the iCloud, which means I can take photos on my iPhone overseas, eg, and in a short time they will appear on my iPad and Laptop, and with the date and locality imprinted on them, makes it worthwhile for mine. As to prices. The sheer number of other makes and models does tend to keep them honest re prices, so even if we are paying a price premium for going with Mac stuff, it's not a deal-breaker in my view.

PS. For those who quoted the vehicle example, this actually happens anyway. When you buy a new car - here in Oz anyway - you really need to have it serviced by a franchise dealer to maintain uncontested warranty. Also, most makes tie in roadside assist and fixed price servicing packages to the dealer network in the same way. How's that different from Apple..?

 

[Frosty]

I realize I wrote something potentially confusing above when I said "case" and we are talking about laws and trials. What I meant to say was this:

Music in a car is more like an accessory such as a protective case for an Apple product (a side function).

 

[KnotYet]

The personal computing world we now live in was pioneered by Apple 40+ years ago.
I was an early adopter (mid 80's) and have owned a Mac ever since and a number of PC's, too.

Fortunately my wife insisted that we buy stock in the company in the 90's. Smart girl.
Apple products have never been cheap but they have always been worth it to me.

It is a lot like paying extra to buy a Audi instead of a VW.
Both will do the job but the Audi is a nicer user experience, IMO.

There are naysayers that point out that an Audi is 90% the same as a VW.
I guess I appreciate that 10%. YMMV.

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. F. "Music in a car is more like an accessory..."

 

[Frosty]

Ha ha, oops. Sorry