Upon the great success with the iPhone/iTouch/iPad, Apple started to control more strictly the content of these devices.
Some of what happened so far:
- Apple bans Flash from iPhone/iTouch/iPad.
- Developers create a way to convert the Flash to Apple code so it can work with the devices.
- Apple bans these converted apps.
- Apple and Google try to buy AdMobs (ads for mobile networks).
- Google outbids Apple.
- Apple creates iAds, competing network to AdMobs.
- Apple bans analytics causing a steep reduction in AdMobs ad buyers.
Apple seems focused on money. Although money is very good for a company it can take away choice given by an open platform. As Vic Gundotra said in the 2010 Google keynote:
part of being open means you are inclusive, rather than exclusive. And you are open to innovation.
The good news is that Apple can still go inclusive.
Further reading: