Are we too lenient on Google and Apple?
eplanit: Back in the 1990s, I remember a phrase that circulated.  It's memorable because at the time it rang so incredibly true.  It was a remark about how the market and industry regarded the Titan Microsoft, and went: "Whenever Bill Gates throws a dart at a wall, everyone races to the wall to paint a target around that dart".   Yes, M$ had gained such stature, and Bill such celebrity, that many a blind eye was turned toward their technology, marketing practices, and other less-than-wonderful aspects.Today, Google (peer'd by Apple) is the new Microsoft (IBM is the new General Motors, but that's a different topic).  And yes, everyone again seems to be racing to draw targets around the arrows they've shot.It's not amazing (though bitterly disappointing) to see consumers accept limits from vendors: changes in rules of 'ownership', accepting lock-in with cell carriers, etc....but it _is_ amazing to me how developers accept (and even embrace) Apple's re-definition of software development and platform control.  Maybe it's a generational thing -- but, a _vendor_ decides if you get to write/sell software?!!?