Apple's digital content policy; or, perhaps Dreamwidth's next project could be an iPad app

[firecat]

http://prismcomics.org/display.php?id=1858

According to this article, the iPad seems like it would be a good medium for e-comic books, and distributing through its App Store seems like it would be a good way to get content to people who want it.

But Apple has content restrictions on apps sold through its App Store, and Apple seems to count images of men kissing and hugging as "objectionable" content.

The content restrictions are being applied unevenly. The financial clout of the publisher is one of the criteria they seem to be using—e.g., Playboy and the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition are available. Apple is completely open about playing favorites:

"Philip W. Schiller, head of worldwide product marketing at Apple, told the Times that a Sports Illustrated swimsuit app was different from the disallowed content because it was from a “well-known company with previously published material available broadly in a well-accepted format.” (source)

Steve Jobs said "we do believe we have a moral responsibility to keep porn off the iPhone. Folks who want porn can buy an Android phone."

More here:
http://manga.about.com/b/2010/02/01/manga-publishers-comics-creators-react-to-the-apple-ipad.htm
http://gawker.com/5526475/apple-rejects-gay+sightseeing-app-over-gay-sights

Comments

[cereta]

Wow. Remember when Steve Jobs was, you know, cool?

[firecat]

He's always been both cool and a control freak. (I used to work at Apple...)

[lorres]

The more I hear about his ideas regarding control, the more I don't like it. Rilly don't like.

We need alternatives. It's not like there aren't plenty of people to think up cool stuff who have the courage to be more open.

[firecat]

I agree.

Based on past performance, I expect that the App Store will eventually develop a way of labeling apps that might be considered offensive, the way the iTunes store has an "explicit" label on some of their songs.

[elainegrey]

I don't want porn but i'm off to buy an android phone. I want freedom.

[tsotate]

I really want one of the Android manufacturers to use this quote in an ad.

More reasons to get an Android phone.

[mamatiger.livejournal.com]

http://bit.ly/bWDpxd : Sayonara, iPhone: Why I'm Switching to Android

(My upgrade to Incredible in TWO DAYS!! W00t.) (Well okay, ordering in two days, GETTING the dang back-ordered thing will take a bit longer....)

Re: More reasons to get an Android phone.

[firecat]

Yeah, I'm not too happy with Google either, but if I were in the market for an app phone I would at least look at the Android.

[tiger-spot.livejournal.com]

Folks who want porn can buy an Android phone.

Sounds like an advertising tagline to me!