Actually, yes, I'm fine with Apple providing all of my media needs.
As long as they're not the
only channel.
If M$ or Adobe want to create a closed loop system too, that's fine. The point is, for the user experience to be worth ANYTHING, the system must be closed.
Not necessarily true. There are many opensource projects that are great (there are a lot that are crap too).
That's why we use Macs, isn't it? We appreciate the vertical integration of the product: software and hardware from *one* integrated manufacturer. Everything works.
I use Macs because I like the Mac OS. I wouldn't care if I was running OS X on a HP, Sony, or Dell
system as long as it ran the Mac OS (back when there were Mac clones, I bought those as well). People will be quick to point out issues with drivers and hardware compatibility if it's made by Apple, but I ran Windows on several different systems (for StarCraft, Half-Life, and at my other company) and I had no issues (sure there'll be some people with some issues, but I think general use -- email, web browsing, IM -- should be fine). How the hardware looks is also not important to me either.
Competition is over-rated. What has it brought? More expensive cable TV bills. More expensive satellite bills. Increased phone bills. Etc. I'm not seeing the price-lowering effects of competition when it comes to media and internet services, just balkanization and frustrated users.
As for cable/satellite TV, I think it's technology that's raised prices rather than competition. They feel they can charge you more if you want digital TV, HD channels, on demand, DVR capabilities, etc. I'm sure if there weren't different cable providers or satellite providerse, prices would be higher.
As for my phone bills. Each time I change carriers or plans, I get more features, more minutes, more capabilities, and pay less -- especially if I'm switching from one carrier to another.
I don't care one lick about interoperability. I'm an Apple customer. There's no product I'd rather buy. What I want is a *seamless* experience.
So you'll only by Apple products? That's a little silly. So I'm guessing your only digital camera is the Apple QuickTake 150?
And, if I can't get that, or I'm so confused by which file works on which product, which service supports which platform, etc., I'll just stick with buying CDs and ripping DVDs.
I've got many non-Apple products that work. I've got a Samsung monitor, Kenstington trackball ... oh wait, were you just referring to digital media?
Quite frankly, most of the media being produced today isn't worth all of this frustration. The music industry is churning out one garbage act after another and TV is so painfully bad that I can't believe I spend $70 a month on cable for the sake of two or three decent shows.
Can't quite argue with you there. Though, "quality" is a matter of perception. People think heavy metal is quality and I just can't listen to that stuff (though some are cool).
Apple's solution is elegant and simple, from the software (iTunes) to the hardware to the flat pricing model. If the media companies want me to buy more of their product, they need to make it available via Apple. If not, I'm not buying. Instead, I'm ripping or filesharing.
Hypothetical situation. One company and Apple are offering the same content, same quality, both work in iTunes, iPods/iPhones, and the AppleTV, but Apple's is twice as much (say no DRM on either), you would still buy from Apple?
I'm glad Adobe has come out with a media player. Hopefully in a few years all this cmpetition will kill DRM once and for all. DRM harms paying customers, not pirates.