Jason Unger

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If this is true, Apple has to be one of the dumbest companies on the face of the earth.

iPhone/iPod SDK: Apple to approve, distribute apps, limit add-ons:

The most controversial aspect of Apple’s SDK plan is its intention to formally approve or deny all SDK-based software releases for its devices. Our sources confirm that Apple will act as a gatekeeper for applications, deciding which are and are not worthy of release, and publishing only approved applications to the iTunes Store; a process that will less resemble the iTunes Store’s massive directory of podcasts than its sale of a limited variety of iPod Games.

Seriously, wtf is this company thinking? There is a MASSIVE market for jailbroken iPhone apps. People love them! They want them! And they'll do anything to get them!

Why would Apple even consider being the gatekeeper for applications? It's beyond obvious that consumers want access to custom apps. Why else would someone build a piano app, an NES emulator and a porn browser (NSFW)?

Why would you prevent people from getting access to content and software that they want? It's obviously not working now … why would it work in the future?

I can understand why Apple would want to distribute the apps through iTunes (even though Boing Boing says this is bad). Finding podcasts (for me) has never been easier than with iTunes.

But Apple isn't vetting podcasts for their content. And they shouldn't be vetting apps either. It's moronic. It really is.

Apple, get with the times. Or you're going to have even more backlash against you.

The 3G iPhone everyone is looking forward to is reportedly coming by mid-year, according to German chipmaker Infineon Technologies AG, which says it is making the chips for the phone.

3G iPhone To Include Infineon Chip, Launch By Mid-Year: UBS:

UBS also believes that 3G-enabled iPhones will be released by mid-year, and that the current EDGE iPhone platform is being ramped down earlier than expected to "clean" inventories.

This is the news I've been waiting for. I want to buy an iPhone, but based on your recommendations, I'm waiting until the second-gen launches (and 1.5 didn't cut it).

So, beyond 3G, what other new features will the phone have? Probably "business"-related things, like Exchange support, and hopefully some of the things I need to switch.

It's an exciting day. Hopefully they will announce more at the SDK event next week, but I'm not holding my breath.

You know Apple.

I've been looking for a good reason to switch to an iPhone and was pretty disappointed when a new version wasn't introduced at MacWorld last month.

Now that a 16GB version is available (Engadget has all the news), is it time to switch?

Honestly, I'm really torn. Are they introducing a new iPhone because people are complaining about the size of the hard drive? Or are they releasing a new version because iPhone 2.0 isn't coming any time soon?

I'm hoping it's the former, and that iPhone 2.0 will be available come summer or fall. But I'm not holding my breath.

Having more hard drive room is a plus, but 16GB still isn't enough for all the music, movies and podcasts I currently have on my 30GB iPod video. Plus, there aren't any new features (at least none that I'm aware of), so it doesn't fulfill some of my needs.

But it's still tempting.

What do you think? Is iPhone 1.5 enough a reason to switch?

If you've been paying attention, you might have noticed a major shift in the attitude toward two of the biggest technology companies by a few of the Web's biggest publications/communities.

Last week, after Bill Gates delivered his presumed final keynote at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), most of the conversation on major tech sites like Digg and Engadget focused on how much Gates has done for the industry, how he's not as bad as his reputation, and generally what a decent job he's done at Microsoft.

It's surprising, especially with the number of Apple fanboys that visit both sites.

On Tuesday, Apple announced a number of new products at MacWorld, many of which have already received criticism and skepticism.

Apple's decision to charge $20 for standard apps for the iPod Touch has a lot of Diggers pissed off.

Spartan225:

This is stupid. Didn't they learn anything from the iPhone price drop? Like honestly how do you justify this? There is no NEW hardware it is just a software update! It isn't even a price reduction like the iPhone, they are flat out saying…hey these guys get this for free….but you guys you have to PAY. This is just ridiculous.

derekvof:

That is absolutely obnoxious that after just spending $400 on a frickin iPod Touch a couple months ago, they want me to drop $20 on apps that should have been there in the first place. It's not about the $$ as much as the insult to those of us who went out and supported them with our hard-earned money in the first place, dealing with all their f!#$@# bugs in the software, and offering feedback and advice on how to make the product better. We damn well DESERVE to get these applications and it royally P*SSES ME OFF!

The new Macbook Air, the super thin laptop with no replaceable battery or optical drive, has CrunchGear's Devin Coldewey arguing that the system is "basically useless."

This is a pretty big shift in online sentiment. Microsoft has always been the big-bad company, suing startups and putting out crappy products, while Apple (and Steve Jobs) are icons to be emulated.

So what's going on? Why has the mood shifted?

My two cents is that Apple isn't thinking enough about what the consumer wants. For so long, they've basically been able to build their products the way they want to and get a relatively small user base to open their wallets, no questions asked.

But the whole iPhone brickgate, lack of commitment to Apple TV, and continued problems they have pricing their products has their users riled up … and looking to Microsoft? Hell, the Zune 80GB has gotten a lot of good reviews.

Word is out on the street that iPhone 2.0 will be coming next year, and as someone who didn't get one the first time around, I'm excited.

Since I was advised against getting an iPhone by some trusted advisers, I've made a list of the things I need in an iPhone before I decide to make (what could be) a costly switch.

1. Calls Over Wi-Fi
   I don't get cell phone service in my house — what if I buy an iPhone and it doesn't work in here, either? The iPhone is smart enough to switch to WiFi when you're surfing the Web. Do the same for voice calls.
2. Calls Over Skype
   Skype is an important communication method for a lot of people — there's no reason you shouldn't be able to use it on an iPhone.
3. More Storage
   This one seems the most likely, based on presumed more flash memory and time to make the battery last longer. The two versions available, 8GB and 16GB, are good starts, but they're not replacing my iPod.

What are you looking for in iPhone 2.0? What would make you switch?