It should be up to the user to decide if they want to install and use an application that replaces the core functions of the device. That said, ultimately it’s Apple’s device and Apple’s app store, so if you want to play in their sandbox, you’ll need to follow their rules. I have an iPhone and for the most part really enjoy the experience. I just wish some of Apple’s activities would be more consistent and transparent. It’s hard for me to understand how Apple can differentiate between a Mac which users can install and access whatever apps and content they want, vs. the iPhone. An iPhone is just a mini PC that can make phone calls.

It’ll be interesting to see what, if any response the FCC has.

I download an app because I want it. And if it turns out that I really don’t like it, well, out it goes. Bottomline, the decision should be mine to make, not Apple. Hence the whole jailbreaking sub-culture and developer dissatisfaction with the approval process.

For every device or platform, there’s a whole industry devoted to modding, tweaking, and adding/removing functionality: car modders, OS theming, etc. Apple is playing a losing game by thinking they can maintain control over a device I already bought and own.

There are many who believe their contacts are their own; they exist on their desktop PC and their iPhone, that’s it. When a user downloads a sync program it’s OBVIOUS they’re going to allow the data “outside”, so they’ve made that conscience choice. But GV says it uses your iPhone contacts, and it’s not unreasonable to think a user may feel it does so without syncing them elsewhere. I mean, lost in all the features of the GV app people may not realize their contacts are now in Google’s possession.

Many apps use the iPhone’s contacts without syncing them someplace else. Apple’s concern could be that GV comes off as being one of them. I don’t know this for sure, I’m speculating. But then so are you.