Apple is losing it again.

Apple is making the same mistakes it did in the PC / Mac wars of the 90s. They have created a closed system because they want to own the whole system. This is similar to the early 90s when the Mac was being pushed. Apple never wanted outside developers to contribute and thus never published any Application Programming Interfaces. Microsoft went the opposite path and said "You want to develop for our platform? Sure that would be great!" MS provided extensive programming libraries and insight into the depths of windows... Look what happened. The PC took the prize.

Again Apple has created this great product, full of features and value, but they want to keep the system closed. Not only are developers forced to get approval for an iPhone app, but Apple has placed all all eggs in one basket with the exclusive contract with ATT. Verizon and other carrier's customers are chomping at the bit to get that kind of technology but don't want to switch providers. Enter Android. By maintaining the exclusive contract it made customers of the other providers look for an alternative solution. Now this solution has a bigger share than the iPhone. Allowing other providers to sell the Phone won't help now, it's too late. The consumer already has a taste of Android and it wants more.

All I can say is Steve, what were you thinking???