> This is not a new provision being brought out to squash Pebble.
Seeing as Apple only started enforcing this against apps advertising Pebble support after coming out with the Apple Watch, yes, this very much is being brought out to squash Pebble.
> Apple clearly has a right to control the content in their App Store. Whether that's removing offensive material or just material they don't like.
So Amazon has the right to forbid the sales of Apple TVs and Rokus on Amazon.com now that they've come out with the Fire TV and friends? I guess it also has the right to forbid the sales of iPads now that it's selling Kindle Fire HDs, or forbid the sales of books that are being made available for B&N's Nook (or some other non-Kindle e-reader).
While we're at it, I guess Microsoft has the right to strong-arm OEMs into selling Windows with their PCs exclusively.
How much farther would you like to take this?
> Apple does not have anything near total domination in the mobile arena.
They have significant influence (if you don't believe me, look at how many "Show HN" posts about mobile apps focus on iOS without even mentioning Android unless somebody asks in the comments, and even then).
Barring this, this would be an attempt to establish vendor lock-in, which is one of several means of effecting a vertical monopoly (and one of the more harmful ways to consumers).
> If you want to go after Apple, go after the way they don't allow consumers to modify the software or install custom software on iOS.
I agree completely. The lack of an ability to sideload apps as a normal user (and no, jailbreaking doesn't count) makes this already-scummy situation that much worse.
Seeing as Apple only started enforcing this against apps advertising Pebble support after coming out with the Apple Watch, yes, this very much is being brought out to squash Pebble.
> Apple clearly has a right to control the content in their App Store. Whether that's removing offensive material or just material they don't like.
So Amazon has the right to forbid the sales of Apple TVs and Rokus on Amazon.com now that they've come out with the Fire TV and friends? I guess it also has the right to forbid the sales of iPads now that it's selling Kindle Fire HDs, or forbid the sales of books that are being made available for B&N's Nook (or some other non-Kindle e-reader).
While we're at it, I guess Microsoft has the right to strong-arm OEMs into selling Windows with their PCs exclusively.
How much farther would you like to take this?
> Apple does not have anything near total domination in the mobile arena.
They have significant influence (if you don't believe me, look at how many "Show HN" posts about mobile apps focus on iOS without even mentioning Android unless somebody asks in the comments, and even then).
Barring this, this would be an attempt to establish vendor lock-in, which is one of several means of effecting a vertical monopoly (and one of the more harmful ways to consumers).
> If you want to go after Apple, go after the way they don't allow consumers to modify the software or install custom software on iOS.
I agree completely. The lack of an ability to sideload apps as a normal user (and no, jailbreaking doesn't count) makes this already-scummy situation that much worse.