/blog {words}

Bullshit. Google started this. It was Google that turned its sights on the iPhone. If AdMob had remained independent, they could still sell in-app ads on iOS. If AdMob had sold itself to Apple instead of Google, they could still sell in-app ads on iOS. If Google hadn’t declared war against the iPhone, AdMob could still see in-app ads on iOS. They made their bed, now they have to sleep in it.

There’s no question it’s a dick move on Apple’s part. But what’s the argument against it? That Google gets a pass for being dicks to Apple, and Apple ought to just sit there and take it?

via Daring Fireball Linked List: John Battelle on Apple’s Banning Google From iOS App Ads.

Mr. Gruber, the only way this argument makes sense is if anything Apple does is right and you don’t question it. Advertising companies shouldn’t be banned from participation just because they belong to someone else. They should be banned for violating other rules, e.g. Flurry.

Let me also point out a severe downside to the non-independent rule. Let’s say Red Sweater software for some odd reason decided they wanted to get into the advertising game. (I doubt they ever would, but for the sake of this argument let’s pretend.) Wouldn’t this also prevent them from placing ads simply because they aren’t independent. If not, what the hell does independent mean? Does it mean Not Google? If so, I think Apple should come up with better ways of preventing a company from participating.