Wow... this sure has turned into a pissing contest between some posters... and, as such, it's become a personal vendetta for some. The facts are (a) yes, you can ONLY develop for the iPhone/iPod Touch on OS X, although there are now tools other than Xcode to allow this (they still are OS X based); (b) I don't defend Apple's high hardware prices, but I run a 24" iMac because, quite franklyk I'm legally blind and I can run it easier than a Windows machine; conversely, as has been proven in the courts, Apple has the right to restrict running OS X to their own hardware, so if the current Xcode version "breaks" a Hackintosh machine, remember that when software, especially an OS, is hacked there are NO guarantees; (c) until and unless there are references showing how factual that 85% figure is, it's difficult to believe that 85% of iPhone developers are using Hackintoshes. You could just as easily have said 25% or 90%, but without the facts, the numbers are useless; (d) developer's greatest complaint (even the experienced professional developers) is that, once submitted, their apps go into a black hole and thei won't know for months at a time whether it will be approved. For smaller developers, that time can be make or break; if they invest in advertising and Apple rejects the app, they're screwed. All developers want is an open, transparent approval process, not one clothed in secrecy like ACTA; (e) Android Market is in its infancy; their process is far more open, and allows the user community to determine whether an app remains in the Market, after Google does automated testing to insure the app doesn't compromise the phone or the network.
Time to stop the namecalling. That's not what Techdirt is for.
Their rationale is totally stupid, claiming that Android Market isn't "good enough". Neither was Apple's when it started and, before that, the ONLY apps you could install on the iPhone (and they really weren't native apps) were web based. Steve Jobs never wanted anyone writing native iPhone apps.
Do you have any facts to support your 85% figure, or is it simply something you pulled out a hat? When established developers fault Apple directly and don't lay blame on "unexperienced developers" it seems as though they know that Apple's approval process is broken. If you bother to read the reports about the apps that are not approved, mot o them are written by experienced people, have good user interfaces and in no way compromise the integrity of either the iPhone or the AT&T network; they are rejected for ridiculous reasons like "you depict politicians with characatures and we find that offensive".
First, they couldn't rent for $1 a night, because that would destroy their weak argument that Redbox "devalues" a movie by their cheap pricing. Second, Universal is already testing that in Europe, where Redbox doesn't exist. So, the theory is that they want Redbox gone here so they can monopolize the market. Why would you want to support those greedy studio bigwig bastards anyhow?
Back when this all started, reps from Universal Studios Home Entertainment (USHE) waltzed into Redbox's headquarters and demanded (1) a percentage of each rental, (2) Redbox's agreement to not sell used copies and (3) some delay (can't remember the number of days) before they could rent new releases. They gave Redbox something like 72 hours to comply, at which time USHE told Ingram and VPD to stop selling to Redbox. Another word for this kind of control of downstream sales is "extortion". Basically, Blockbuster and the other brick & mortar rental chains pay the studios a percentage of each rental, so a single copy can make the studio a lot more profit than if that copy were simply sold. Now, call me a conspiracy theorist, but it wouldn't surprise me if Blockbuster or some other chains weren't somehow behind this, too, in an effort to kill off the cheaper competition.
Redbox is in Oakbrook Terrace IL, and is a division of Coinstar. What on earth does commercial real estate value have to do with the studios' bullshit arguments?
Several years ago, I flew Delta to South Africa to visit my now-wife... there was a refuelling stop in Dakar, Senegal. It took 4 hours. Why? Because the Senegalese government insisted on "inspecting" every inch of the plane for contraband and, supposedly, weapons. Workers came onto the plane and searched every nook and cranny... carry-on bags had to be opened by their owners, even the seat back pouches were turned inside-out... evidently the vomit bags could be used to stage a coup. I found out afterwards that it was the "price we paid" for the privilege of landing in Senegal and also found out that Delta paid a hefty sum to the government, too. It was a torturous 4 hour stay on the tarmac... we had to stay on the plane. Delta has since stopped using Dakar, Senegal for its refuelling stop.
I don't think anyone is quibbling over that... it seems that the issue is simply with number blocking, and whether or not magicJack falls under Common Carrier rules. For $40 for the first year with the hardware, and $20 a year after that, it's really hard to argue the economics. I'm surprised nobody has bitched about "it only works if I leave my computer on" :-)
If, in fact, magicJack is not considered a Telco or a CLEC, how on earth can services like FreeConference even bill them? The only answer I can think of is that, while magicJack is not a Telco or CLEC, they have to use some CLEC to connect to the traditional phone system; if that's the case, magicJack may, indeed, be justified in blocking the call, and it would probably be legal if they are doing so as part of their contract with the CLEC; the CLEC isn't doing the blocking, so they are not, technically, in vioation of FCC regulations. Sounds like a pretty grey area.
Not sure about your assertion that he offered it to one person... it was not posted as a reply (I think my message triggered it since I questioned whether it was the real inventor or not), but as a standalone message entitled "If You Knew Me". There was nothing in it that said "the first person to contact me", etc. Maybe if it was sent as a reply it would be different, and I would agree with you, but the message seemed pretty clear as a "come one, come all".
It doesn't necessarily mean that the MJ is at fault... lots of telemarketers "spoof" their called ID number. If it is from overseas, though, it could simply be that the caller ID just looks like the same number because of the addition or lack of country & city codes.
The site isn't valid... and honestly, if you have or sign up for a Gmail account, then go to www.google.com/voice and sign up for Google Voice you'll get it in a short period of time. Not sure if the URL listed is an error or just bogus, but I doubt if anyone has "connections" with Google to get a GV number faster.
This is hardly an issue of "front line" vs. second, third or higher level of support... front-line reps should have a script saying "We work with, and have been tested to work with, such-and-such operating systems". What's the big deal about that? They may not know why, but they should be able to tell someone that.
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Pissing Contest (as mjb5406)
Wow... this sure has turned into a pissing contest between some posters... and, as such, it's become a personal vendetta for some. The facts are (a) yes, you can ONLY develop for the iPhone/iPod Touch on OS X, although there are now tools other than Xcode to allow this (they still are OS X based); (b) I don't defend Apple's high hardware prices, but I run a 24" iMac because, quite franklyk I'm legally blind and I can run it easier than a Windows machine; conversely, as has been proven in the courts, Apple has the right to restrict running OS X to their own hardware, so if the current Xcode version "breaks" a Hackintosh machine, remember that when software, especially an OS, is hacked there are NO guarantees; (c) until and unless there are references showing how factual that 85% figure is, it's difficult to believe that 85% of iPhone developers are using Hackintoshes. You could just as easily have said 25% or 90%, but without the facts, the numbers are useless; (d) developer's greatest complaint (even the experienced professional developers) is that, once submitted, their apps go into a black hole and thei won't know for months at a time whether it will be approved. For smaller developers, that time can be make or break; if they invest in advertising and Apple rejects the app, they're screwed. All developers want is an open, transparent approval process, not one clothed in secrecy like ACTA; (e) Android Market is in its infancy; their process is far more open, and allows the user community to determine whether an app remains in the Market, after Google does automated testing to insure the app doesn't compromise the phone or the network.
Time to stop the namecalling. That's not what Techdirt is for.
Re: TechCrunch reports GameLoft pulling out of Android Development. (as mjb5406)
Their rationale is totally stupid, claiming that Android Market isn't "good enough". Neither was Apple's when it started and, before that, the ONLY apps you could install on the iPhone (and they really weren't native apps) were web based. Steve Jobs never wanted anyone writing native iPhone apps.
Re: Please correct title... (as mjb5406)
Do you have any facts to support your 85% figure, or is it simply something you pulled out a hat? When established developers fault Apple directly and don't lay blame on "unexperienced developers" it seems as though they know that Apple's approval process is broken. If you bother to read the reports about the apps that are not approved, mot o them are written by experienced people, have good user interfaces and in no way compromise the integrity of either the iPhone or the AT&T network; they are rejected for ridiculous reasons like "you depict politicians with characatures and we find that offensive".
(as mjb5406)
Her site is inredible...
"Meanwhile, if you are thinking of using my essay, don’t. And if you have already used my essay, contact me or my agent to discuss the matter."
As if anyone who has "used" the essay will now sheepishly fess up to their "crime".
(as mjb5406)
There once was a son of Zukofsky...
Well, I can't think of a word that rhymes with Zukofsky, especially one that is a synonym for "douchebag".
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Price... (as mjb5406)
Well, as I mention in another post, it wouldn't surprise me at all if Blockbuster was part of the studios' cospiracy, too.
Re: Redbox (as mjb5406)
First, they couldn't rent for $1 a night, because that would destroy their weak argument that Redbox "devalues" a movie by their cheap pricing. Second, Universal is already testing that in Europe, where Redbox doesn't exist. So, the theory is that they want Redbox gone here so they can monopolize the market. Why would you want to support those greedy studio bigwig bastards anyhow?
Re: (as mjb5406)
Back when this all started, reps from Universal Studios Home Entertainment (USHE) waltzed into Redbox's headquarters and demanded (1) a percentage of each rental, (2) Redbox's agreement to not sell used copies and (3) some delay (can't remember the number of days) before they could rent new releases. They gave Redbox something like 72 hours to comply, at which time USHE told Ingram and VPD to stop selling to Redbox. Another word for this kind of control of downstream sales is "extortion". Basically, Blockbuster and the other brick & mortar rental chains pay the studios a percentage of each rental, so a single copy can make the studio a lot more profit than if that copy were simply sold. Now, call me a conspiracy theorist, but it wouldn't surprise me if Blockbuster or some other chains weren't somehow behind this, too, in an effort to kill off the cheaper competition.
Re: Re: Re: Price... (as mjb5406)
Redbox is in Oakbrook Terrace IL, and is a division of Coinstar. What on earth does commercial real estate value have to do with the studios' bullshit arguments?
That's the Way of Senegal (as mjb5406)
Several years ago, I flew Delta to South Africa to visit my now-wife... there was a refuelling stop in Dakar, Senegal. It took 4 hours. Why? Because the Senegalese government insisted on "inspecting" every inch of the plane for contraband and, supposedly, weapons. Workers came onto the plane and searched every nook and cranny... carry-on bags had to be opened by their owners, even the seat back pouches were turned inside-out... evidently the vomit bags could be used to stage a coup. I found out afterwards that it was the "price we paid" for the privilege of landing in Senegal and also found out that Delta paid a hefty sum to the government, too. It was a torturous 4 hour stay on the tarmac... we had to stay on the plane. Delta has since stopped using Dakar, Senegal for its refuelling stop.
Next 15 Minutes of Fame (as mjb5406)
Well, after the Jammie Thomas debacle, these shyster attorneys need something "sensational" to keep them in the public eye, so here you go.
Wait... can they now sue Techdirt for "allowing" me to call them sbysters?
Re: Use or don't use it (as mjb5406)
I don't think anyone is quibbling over that... it seems that the issue is simply with number blocking, and whether or not magicJack falls under Common Carrier rules. For $40 for the first year with the hardware, and $20 a year after that, it's really hard to argue the economics. I'm surprised nobody has bitched about "it only works if I leave my computer on" :-)
Re: Meet Mike Masnick, the Jew (as mjb5406)
Wow... not TOO anti-Semitic are we?
I wonder... (as mjb5406)
If, in fact, magicJack is not considered a Telco or a CLEC, how on earth can services like FreeConference even bill them? The only answer I can think of is that, while magicJack is not a Telco or CLEC, they have to use some CLEC to connect to the traditional phone system; if that's the case, magicJack may, indeed, be justified in blocking the call, and it would probably be legal if they are doing so as part of their contract with the CLEC; the CLEC isn't doing the blocking, so they are not, technically, in vioation of FCC regulations. Sounds like a pretty grey area.
Re: FREE! Wow, I'll order 100 of those free MagicJack things! (as mjb5406)
Not sure about your assertion that he offered it to one person... it was not posted as a reply (I think my message triggered it since I questioned whether it was the real inventor or not), but as a standalone message entitled "If You Knew Me". There was nothing in it that said "the first person to contact me", etc. Maybe if it was sent as a reply it would be different, and I would agree with you, but the message seemed pretty clear as a "come one, come all".
Re: telemarketing calls (as mjb5406)
It doesn't necessarily mean that the MJ is at fault... lots of telemarketers "spoof" their called ID number. If it is from overseas, though, it could simply be that the caller ID just looks like the same number because of the addition or lack of country & city codes.
Re: Connect MJ with Google Voice - SOLVED! (as mjb5406)
The site isn't valid... and honestly, if you have or sign up for a Gmail account, then go to www.google.com/voice and sign up for Google Voice you'll get it in a short period of time. Not sure if the URL listed is an error or just bogus, but I doubt if anyone has "connections" with Google to get a GV number faster.
Re: Re: Re: Linux (as mjb5406)
Dear AC (#??? ... there are so many of you).,
This is hardly an issue of "front line" vs. second, third or higher level of support... front-line reps should have a script saying "We work with, and have been tested to work with, such-and-such operating systems". What's the big deal about that? They may not know why, but they should be able to tell someone that.
Re: (as mjb5406)
We'll see... they sent me a UPS tracking #
Re: Taking Dan up (as mjb5406)
I will too... and will report back if the "free" magicJack requires you to give a credit card # (like they require if you get the 30 day trial).