q.e.d.

A while ago I expressed my distrust of the iPhone's openness, and more specifically, the freedom to develop software for Apple's new toy. This was because, to download the development system, you need to identify yourself, and because, per Jobs' express declaration, Apple reserves the right to block dangerous applications.

Well, now let's see what "dangerous" means at Apple, because we have the first iPhone application to be blocked. And is it a virus? Malware capable of deleting user data? A worm capable of spreading via Bluetooth?

No. It's simply a software program, called Podcaster, that duplicates iTunes' podcasting functionality. In other words, it competes with iTunes. It's simply software that does the same things as iTunes, but, according to its creator, Fraser Speirs, does them better.

And that it was blocked for this is not something we or Fraser Speirs are saying; Apple is saying it;

Apple Rep says: Since Podcaster assists in the distribution of podcasts, it duplicates the functionality of the Podcast section of iTunes.

At least they're not hiding behind a finger, but now iPhone users will have no way to verify whether Podcaster is truly better than iTunes, and thus competition dies. Because competition isn't just about inventing something new. It's also about doing something someone else already does, but doing it better or cheaper. And there's nothing in the agreement you sign when you download the SDK that prohibits duplicating existing iPhone applications.

In fact, there are many duplicates for sale on the App Store: from calculators to calendars, to other podcast management apps like Diggnation and Mobility Today. So why was Podcaster blocked? Maybe because it has a feature that others don't have: it allows you to download podcasts to your device, instead of just listening to them.

Perhaps life has made me distrustful, but I've yet to see a corporation that works for the customers' best interests.

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