Apple vs. Adobe - Opinion Poll

This is the problem with internet culture. Why should we pick sides? Neither side is absolutely right about anything. Why would a complicated dispute between 2 companies be able to come down to a choice between one or the other? It's not even clear what they're talking about — which side is right about what?

The media today pressures us to think in terms of black and white, forming factions on one side or the other on issues, when this is the most unhelpful way to think about things. Your opinion can span both sides — even if you end up behind one side or the other, the most important thing is that you understand what's going on, not which side is winning.

They're BOTH doing their users a disservice. Both are interested in grabbing the biggest possible slice of what they perceive to be the pie, and holding on to it.

The sad part is, it's not even in their own interests. If they worked together, Apple would probably sell more iToys, and Adobe would sell more software.

Imagine a world in which Apple was friendly to all developers, including Adobe, and provided APIs that made it easy to write/port/generate high quality, standardized apps. The total number of apps would go up, driving both total revenues, and competition (and therefore quality). Apple would win big, as they cull their 30% of all app sales, and more people buy iToys. Meanwhile, Adobe has opened up a whole new product line, with obvious benefits.

They're really shooting themselves in their collective foot, here. Historically, hardware/OS companies have had symbiotic relationships with software and content companies. Apple is acting like Adobe is a competitor they want to cut out, rather than a partner in providing value to developers and users.

And if Apple is genuinely worried about the quality of Apps... address the problem at its root, and (1) provide additional APIs so it's easier to transform to "native code" and (2) be more stringent about screening app store submissions.

A pox on both their houses.

Why is this on HN? Can we vote PS3 vs Wii vs 360 next?