Apple demonstrates the need for Net neutrality -- now

Some causes are worth fighting for and Net neutrality is one of them. Last week, a bill was introduced in Congress that would require Internet service providers to "not block, interfere with, discriminate against, impair, or degrade the ability of any person to use an Internet access service to access, use, send, post, receive, or offer any lawful content, application, or service through the Internet." Congress has shot down similar measures twice before. This time we should make it stick.

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One example is the ongoing tête-à-tête between Apple and Palm. Palm claims its much-ballyhooed Palm Pre handset can sync music tracks with iTunes; Apple says otherwise. The official story is that "Apple does not provide support for, or test for compatibility with, non-Apple digital media players," but Apple might as well just have said it does not approve of such players. As if on cue, Apple issued a software update that killed the Palm Pre's iTunes sync functionality, barely a week after the device shipped. Palm responded with a fix, but this story surely isn't over.

Even more troubling, however, is Apple's decision to block the Google Voice mobile application from the iTunes App Store. Here is a truly useful piece of third-party mobile software -- it's already available on the BlackBerry and Android platforms, and my colleague Tom Yager says every phone needs Google Voice -- but Apple forbids its use on iPhone devices on the basis that it duplicates existing iPhone functionality.

But that may not be the whole story. Critics claim that the decision to block Google Voice wasn't entirely Apple's, and that AT&T, the exclusive mobile network provider for the iPhone, played a role. The exact reason for AT&T's objection is the subject of speculation -- theories range from lost text-messaging revenue to a blanket ban on VoIP -- but the allegations are evidently concrete enough for the FCC to take an interest.
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http://www.infoworld.com/d/developer-world/apple-demonstrates-need-net-neutrality-now-468

a small monopoly, but one none the less.
They have monopolized EVERYTHING having to do with apple software, including the hardware.
They charge outrageous amount for both, and refuse to allow ANY competition in either the hardware (clones) or software side (google voice) (refusal to make Mac OS available on normal PC hardware)

Apple is a monopoly, which is why their market is and always will be so small.

Someone stupidly asked, how.. well this is how.

This is exactly how a monopoly operates. it does not matter what the market share is. in all things pacintosh/ianything, Apple is 100% owner and dominator of that market.

Even Microsoft has competition. in both hard and software.

A monopoly is "the exclusive possession or control of the supply or trade in a commodity or service" and Apple has strong competition in all of it's business segments.

However, Apple does offer a closed ecosystem of products and services. They want to control the hardware, software and commerce experience for iPods and iPhones, and to a lesser extent Macs. They believe they are selling an end-to-end user experience to their customers rather than a collection of devices and features... Apple makes more sense when you think about them as a lifestyle brand rather than a manufacturer or developer. So, in a sense, they are "monopolizing" control of their brand experice... do so is mission critical.

If a customer wants to buy something more customized or doesn't like exactly what Apple offers, then they have a plenty other choices for computers, music players, or cell phones.

I'm all for net neutrality... But, I think the original poster has a point... Apple limits choice, but arguable Apple's customers like this because limited choices have so far enhanced the overall user experience for Apple products.

Similarly, if net neutrality fails... I'm sure some net providers would try to differentiate themselves based on user experience and exclusive options. This would drive competition, but would be a step backwards from an open system. I'm not fan of reverting open systems to private ones... However, I'm also not a fan of forcing Apple to open it's business to other players... I love what they way they do what they do ;-)

gets unrecd.

Its the fact that the clips provided have nothing to do with network neutrality.

(Full disclosure: I have not rec'd or unrec'd this thread)