I am sensing a rising tide of ill-will toward Apple and AT&T with regard to the Iphone. Apple is typically quite adept at public relations, but I believe their moves with regard to tight control of the Iphone is beginning to get out of control.

One of the arguments against Apple has always been their control over their devices. With the Mac, I think it is a total non-issue. As an owner of three Macs, I can attest that I am not limited by anybody and can do anything I want with my computers. However, the Iphone is a pretty different story.

In terms of smartphones, the Iphone is revolutionary. I think it is the best smartphone on the market, although the Palm Pre might have the potential of giving the Iphone a run for the money. The Iphone craze, though, is well deserved.

But, the major drawbacks with the device come down to direct decisions by Apple:

1. Apple has to approve each and every app in the App Store. Their reasoning to approving or not approving apps seems to be disjointed and inconsistent. It also seems to take forever sometimes.
2. Apple’s deal to tie the phone to AT&T has been a real problem. AT&T has simply not been able to keep up with the Iphone. The latest Iphone 3GS has capabilities that you can’t even tap into because of AT&T network limitations. Complaints about dropped calls is high. Complaints about lack of MMS are resounding, considering even some of the cheapest phones out there can do MMS while the Iphone still cannot because of AT&T.

Steven Frank, an Iphone app developer at Panic, recently wrote a very hard-hitting post declaring that he is quitting the Iphone. For him, the final straw was Apple rejecting all Google Voice apps from the App Store. In fact, the rejection even included Google Voice apps that had already been approved. They just went in there and retroactively removed them.

And let’s look at that for a moment…

You can get Blackberries on AT&T with apps for Google Voice. There are other apps in the App Store which could potentially conflict with AT&T services. There has been a lot of speculation as to whether it was Apple or AT&T which triggered the rejections, but I think one thing is very clear: This was profit motivated and NOT in the best interest of Iphone owners. From all appearances, this was a “stick it to Google” move.

The App Store approval process is nothing but a HUGE boondoggle. I personally have a friend who is STILL waiting for Apple to approve or give any word whatsoever on a new app. It has been FIVE WEEKS. He’s heard nothing. So, timing is inconsistent. Apple’s own reasons for doing things seems to be purposely hidden while also being inconsistent. And app developers are left in the dark.

Steven Frank ended his post with these comments:

I realize these actions are utterly insignificant to Apple. I know I’m a tiny tadpole flapping his tail helplessly in anger at the ocean. But at least my conscience is clear. I hope change is coming. I’m really going to miss my iPhone terribly. I’m frustrated and disappointed at the whole situation.

I think this sums up a rising sentiment. Apple appears to make it’s Iphone decisions to suit one party: Apple. And when customers feel insignificant to Apple, THAT’S A PROBLEM. No customer should feel like a “tiny tadpole”.

Apple needs to loosen up on the Iphone. And it needs to ditch the AT&T contract. That contract is set to be renewed in 2010, and if Apple renews that contract, expect a mass exodus from the Iphone. Because that will have proved that Apple doesn’t care about it’s customers.

Speaking for myself, I still like my Iphone. However, I don’t want my hands artificially tied by a company only looking out for profits at the expense of their customer. The attractiveness of jail-breaking my phone is looking better and better every day. I haven’t done it yet, however if Apple keeps making decisions which seem only to be self-preserving, I might very well make the move.

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