Response to Jason Calacanis Essay - The Case Against Apple

Today I was reading an essay that Jason Calacanis wrote and distributed to his mailing list. Fortunately, he posted the piece on his blog also. I have signed up for the list and will be receiving new installments on my inbox.

I think that Jason hit the nail right on the head with the essay. Apple is becoming Evil and they are "cramping everyone's style," as Jason so eloquently puts it. I recommend you read the full essay for all of the details, as Jason has a clear and concise style for getting his point across.

The reason I am posting this entry is because Jason has 3 questions to ask his readers at the end of the essay. Here are my answers:

• Do you think Apple would be more, or less, successful if they adopted a more open strategy (i.e. allowing other MP3 players in iTunes)?

  The short answer, from a consumer point-of-view, is that I think Apple would be more successful by being more open.

  However, Apple is a very large company ($147 billion according to Google finance) and steering the company in a new direction is like steering an oil tanker, it takes time, patience and effort, no matter how competent you may be. This is true for every large company, but sometimes big companies can be a lot more agile than we imagine.

  If I was at the realm at Apple, I would push this situation all the way to the tipping point and try to get the most out of it. Then when the DOJ comes knocking, I would rush to settle the situation with a deal. This modus operandi has been used before by Intel and others and most of the companies that tried it got away with just a slap on the wrist.

• Do you think Apple should face serious antitrust action?

  Absolutely, and I don't think that Apple will change their behavior until the Department of Justice gets involved.

• Do you think Apple’s dexterity and competence forgive their bad behavior?

  Absolutely not, but I do think that those characteristics will serve them well when they need to placate the ire of the Attorney General of the United States. And it'll also allow them to quickly implement any changes based on any deals with the DOJ.

Thanks, and don't forget to read Jason's essay.