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Re:Why are you people defending Apple? by cletus on Wednesday February 16, 2011 @07:52PM (#2229137)
What the article actually says is:

> Not to mention the fact that users have built up libraries of dozens of applications and DRM-laden content that won’t transfer between devices.

What you say is (emphasis added):

> The article makes another great point about people not being able to leave iOS devices for a competitor because all their music, movies, apps, etc are in Apple's DRM format and won't transfer to other devices.

Music is DRM-free on iTunes and has been for some time. TV shows and movies are another matter and have other issues (such as only one download), which is why I won't buy them from there.

But it's not Apple demanding DRM. It's the content producers, who are still until the woeful delusion that DRM prevents copying. In reality it simply annoys customers. The only reason music is DRM-free on iTunes is because Apple extracted that concession as part of a deal that gave the RIAA three pricing bands for songs ($0.69, $0.99 and $1.29, which basically means $1.29 for anything new) over the previous model, which was $0.99 for everything.

Re:Why are you people defending Apple? by Bossman on Wednesday February 16, 2011 @08:10PM (#2229188)
I get what you mean, but it still locks you into Apple's devices. Also, Amazon is able to produce content without DRM. Mp3 format music, etc.
Re:Why are you people defending Apple? by cubicle67 on Wednesday February 16, 2011 @08:41PM (#2229282)
Also, Amazon is able to produce content without DRM. Mp3 format music, etc.

I'm not sure I see your point

Apple music = Amazon music = DRM free

Apple iBooks = Amazon Kindle books = incl DRM

Apple movies = Netflix = everyone else = incl DRM

Re:Why are you people defending Apple? by jokermatt999 on Thursday February 17, 2011 @10:00AM (#2231119)
Apple music = Amazon music = DRM free

Correct.

Apple iBooks = Amazon Kindle books = incl DRM

Apple movies = Netflix = everyone else = incl DRM

Less correct. Kindle and Netflix have DRM, but they don't have the platform lock-in of iBooks and movies. iBooks, as far as I know, is only available on iOS. DRM is bad, but DRM that's tied to a smaller range of platforms is even worse.

Re:Why are you people defending Apple? by Pooter on Wednesday February 16, 2011 @08:31PM (#2229253)
1) You're not locked into Apple's devices. ITunes is standard mp4 audio and plays on a variety of platforms; the DRMed video plays through itunes on windows too.

2) Amazon's VOD service provides DRMed video, too.

Then what's the issue?

Re:Why are you people defending Apple? by Bossman on Wednesday February 16, 2011 @08:42PM (#2229287)
> the DRMed video plays through itunes on windows too

That's the problem. The DRM locks it to Apple only software and/or hardware.

Re:Why are you people defending Apple? by czhiddy on Wednesday February 16, 2011 @09:49PM (#2229478)
How does Amazon's VOD DRM free you of software/hardware lockin?
Re:Why are you people defending Apple? by potatolicious on Wednesday February 16, 2011 @10:43PM (#2229643)
Amazon doesn't manufacture the device you view your content on. Amazon VOD support is available on a wide range of hardware from multiple manufacturers.

So yeah, the DRM is still there, but if you're not happy with the way Samsung is doing things, you can hop to LG or Sony just as easily.

Compare with Apple where if you bought video content on iTunes and don't like the AppleTV... well... tough.

Re:Why are you people defending Apple? by Bossman on Wednesday February 16, 2011 @10:18PM (#2229570)
I never said it did. DRM is a problem no matter who provides it. But Apple definitely ties it much more into their devices than other companies. There's an iTunes app built into the iPhone that can't be removed unless you jailbreak. Google has yet to do something like this with Android. You have more options and aren't tied to one specific service.
Re:Why are you people defending Apple? by hogu on Thursday February 17, 2011 @07:16AM (#2230654)
well, for one thing, you can stream amazon VOD on linux, whereas you can't view itunes movies on linux.
Re:Why are you people defending Apple? by Pooter on Wednesday February 16, 2011 @09:22PM (#2229406)
Or RealPlayer, MediaCenter, or Songbird.