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Woz, Keeping it Real

Laptop Mag got a pretty solid interview out of Apple Co-founder Steve Wozniak.  It is pretty entertaining overall but pay particular attention to the money quote:

L: Is there anything you would change about the iPhone?
SW: I think it could be more like a computer. It should be open like a computer. Anyone should be able to develop their own games and programs on it. And keep the phone and the phone services off guard so it’s protected.
 
L: So you’re in favor of the unlocking and jailbreaking for third-party applications?
SW: From a business point of view, Apple owns what they have done. They have a right to lock it. But I am really for the unlockers, the rebels trying to make it free. I’d really like it to be open to new applications. I’d like to install some nice games. Why in the world can I not install a ringtone that I’ve made? How would that hurt AT&T’s network? Here is Steve Jobs sending letters to the record companies saying [they] should provide music that’s unprotected, but here he is taking the opposite approach with the iPhone. I don’t know to what extent AT&T is involved in the thinking and direction.

In case it isn’t painfully obvious, he’s with the hackers.  He also takes a minor swipe at his fellow Steve Apple co-founder and asks "why the double standard?"  Obviously AT&T is the easy scapegoat if you want one.  But really, is it that hard to release an unlocked phone?  It definitely is easy in Europe and Apple is still locking it here.  Can’t blame big bad AT&T for that one. 

I guess you can speak freely when you don’t have thousands of shareholders and communications monopolies to please.  BTW, now that all it takes to open the iPhone to applications is browsing to a website, is there anyone left who hasn’t unlocked their iPhone?  If so, what are you waiting for?

VIA DIGG

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