08.01.09
FCC Takes on Apple Just Weeks After Microsoft Executive Becomes Managing Director of the FCC
Summary: Microsoft may be using its newly-acquired influence inside the FCC against competitors (Apple in this case, not Google)
THIS post is by no means an apologetic excuse for Apple’s behaviour, which is inexcusable. But to see the scandalous [1, 2] FCC actually performing its job is a little unexpected. For those who have not heard this news, the FCC has just launched an investigation into Apple’s business
The Federal Communications Commission has launched an inquiry to AT&T Inc. (T) and Apple Inc. (AAPL) over the rejection of Google Inc.’s (GOOG) voice application for the popular iPhone.
In letters sent late Friday to the three companies, the FCC asked why Apple rejected the Google Voice application for the iPhone and removed related “third- party applications” from its store.
Whilst Apple lovers deflect the issue, this is covered by a lot of the press, even that which the Gates family has control of.
Right about now, Apple probably wishes it had never rejected Google Voice and related apps from the iPhone. Or maybe it was AT&T who rejected the apps. Nobody really knows. But the FCC launched an investigation last night to find out, sending letters to all three companies (Apple, AT&T, and Google) asking them to explain exactly what happened.
One reader of ours has a different interpretation because of Microsoft’s role in the FCC. We wrote about this less than two weeks ago, noting that Microsoft was wearing the FCC’s pants. “I saw you had covered it right away,” said the reader, “though I myself missed that a Gatesist was even being discussed for the FCC position.
“…[C]haps like Barnett are occupying federal positions from which they serve Microsoft’s interests.”“What I would point out now is that there is a stronger possibility for a causal relationship between the appointment and the action against Apple.”
Not so long ago we wrote about what the FTC did to Apple and Google. It was a similar story. We provided a summary of what forces were at play because chaps like Barnett are occupying federal positions from which they serve Microsoft’s interests [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. █
“Our friends up north [Microsoft] spend over five billion dollars on research and development and all they seem to do is copy Google and Apple.”
–Steve Jobs, 2006
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David Gerard said,
August 1, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Yes, that’s what annoys me about Roughly Drafted – if Apple were selling iBabyMulchersForSatan, there’d be an RD article explaining why that was the only moral choice and definitely the best thing for the consumer and indeed all of humanity.
Roy Schestowitz Reply:
August 1st, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Yes, see this apologism.
whatever said,
August 2, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Apple’s Google Voice thing is utter BS (and I’m a Mac person — yes, please add me to your enemies list). Most of the pro-Apple sites have been pretty anti-Apple in this case.
I seriously doubt an ex-Microsoftie’s presence in the FCC has anything to do with this. I’d bet dollars to donuts Google and its gaggle of lobbyists (and don’t fool yourself Roy, they have more lobbyists than almost anyone) that pushed for the FCC inquiry.