Among its other features, the things that really sell the Apple iPhone are the iPhone apps. “Apps” is short for “applications,” which are little programs that both the Apple developers and others create for phone users to download. Those that are approved by Apple can be submitted to place in its online store, and then users can download these iPhone applications. The creators usually decide whether these apps will be free, or will be sold for a price. This sounds easy enough, and users should find all the apps they need in Apple’s store.
All is not roses with the iPhone apps, however. Many people have objected to the way Apple exerts such rigid control over what they are allowed to download. They frequently liken it to a company producing a computer but dictating which programs they are and aren’t allowed to use on it, which you just don’t see happening. Because of this, perhaps ten percent of iPhone users have performed iPhone hacks, devising workarounds against the guards that prevent them from downloading applications Apple hasn’t authorized.
Not surprisingly, Apple determined not to take this tampering with iPhone apps lying down . The corporation insists that it’s not going to authorize this hacking , or as it is also known , “jailbreaking ,” while the Electronic Frontier Foundation among others have asked the country’s Copyright Office to permit hacking in particular instances . Apple claims that opening up the iPhone this way would cost money , deter its own development efforts , and open it to a vast number of service calls from customers who become angry when iPhone downloads from unauthorized sources interfere with their phone’s performance .
An official request for exemptions from copyright restrictions on iPhone downloads, from sources other than Apple, appear to be made for very important reasons. Many involve disallowing Apple’s monopolistic ability to restrict access to legitimate sites or programs. And some iPhone apps have “shuttered” or shut down sections, which can affect people adversely, such as a downloaded ebook whose read-aloud function is blocked and can’t be used by blind people. The Copyright Office, whose ruling is expected sometime in 2010, will need to consider all sides of the question in order to make a decision that’s fair to the public, as well as to Apple.