Apple has made it to my blacklist. It should be on yours too until they stop making defective products, and I'm not just talking about their yellow screens and broken optical drives. The point currently at issue is their choice to deliberately interfere with the use of their products. You can see a full list of these problems at http://www.defectivebydesign.org a branch of the FSF.
They lock your music down to only their devices. They deliberately make encrypted interface standards so that you can only use their software to connect to devices like the iPod Touch or iPhone. They make "MP3 Players" that do not play MP3s or highest quality FLAC files, or liberated OGG files. Apple also limits a users ability to take ownership of their own work. They impose unnecessary restrictions and threaten to terminate support if you choose to take down these unnecessary barriers.
There are some people out there that already believe they cannot live a quality life without a genuine iPod, you can. You can enjoy music, and video, and use the best compression and have the highest quality video available all without an Apple product.
It may take some time to get a lightweight device with a RISC processor, flat screen, and plays games. No, the Nintendo DS does that and with a simple product from DealExtreme.com you can run your own software without voiding the warranty. Or how about GPS, and YouTube videos alongside all of the features mentioned - use the Nokia N900 - a computer. The Nokia N900 is mostly free and will not punish you for running your own software. Need a phone - use Google's Nexus One. (Although in Canada... I have also blacklisted most of the Mobile Phone vendors)
It's easy to live without the Apple iThing or their software. In fact it is easier, and you will not experience the "Apple Mystery" where it ceases to work and you cannot explain why, but the cost of repair would likely exceed buying a new one.
I believe in the 40 Year Car, the 40 Year Computer, and the 40 Year Phone. As consumers we just have to put a little brainpower behind our choices. It is a no brainer - if you support freedom of use as I do, do not buy an Apple product.
