Is Apple losing its cool factor with techies?

Much like Facebook, I'm personally shocked by the tactics of both these companies.

People were very worked up about Microsoft and their business practices about a decade ago. Actually, I'd say people were worked up about Vista, and that is what may have opened the door more for Apple.

The big differences between the two as I see it is that the questionable business practices of Microsoft were directed at manufacturers and had a somewhat indirect effect on the end users.

for most people, did it matter if the default browser was/is IE? This is something that mostly effected competitors, and Microsoft never said you couldn't run another browser.

By comparison, it seems the business practices at Apple affect both business and consumers.

Ignoring the app store developer stuff, it is harmful to consumers to have a company tell them what they can and cannot have on their devices.

Many people have talked about Apple having the right to decide what apps they sell, and I agree. The challenge is that they are the only store in the ecosystem, the only way to reach those customers (with the exception of the browser).

But we wouldn't allow GM to say that you can only fill up your car at Shell. Or that your flex-fuel vehicle can only run E10.

As the owner of a product, YOU get to define what you do with it. It isn't up to the manufacturer to decide.

I suspect I'm going to have the same issue with Windows 7 Phone when it comes out.

Controlled ecosystems are bad for innovation and consumers.