The Future: Open or Closed
The past has shown us that walled media gardens simply do not work in an age where consumers have virtually unfettered access to media. This, in my opinion, is part of the reason that the Dataportability movement was essential. If you do not give people access to use their data the way that they want, they will find another service or media outlet; lowered barriers to entry into the media and technology sectors have made it so there are plenty of alternatives for virtually everything.
Open
- Image via Wikipedia
Facebook is beginning to realize this, and it seems their realization is leading them down a glorious path; the path to OpenID. While we are not certain what it will mean, Facebook has pledged support for OpenID; the protocol that allows users single sign in access across any part of the web that has adopted it. Facebook has already created a successful product called Connect, but this product is not completely open; it does not adhere to web standards, and only sites that have implemented it, can take advantage of it.
Closed
- Image via Wikipedia
On the flip side, I heard some news today that made me cringe. Apple (the king of the closet) is denying access to Facebook from many of their retail outlets–what!?
Pretty bad, huh.
I realize that people are probably abusing Apple stores; hanging out and loitering, checking Facebook etc., but denying access to Facebook is not the solution. Take a look at Starbucks,where people are invited to loiter, in hopes they will buy a cup of joe. Sure, this is a little different a, s iPods and laptops are not impulse buys, but the idea of, Apple Store as experiential marketing is not something that Apple should be messing with. Honestly, I thought that was the whole point of the retail outlet to begin with.
Will the future of media and technology be open or closed; what do you think?
Related articles by Zemanta
- Apple Begins Banning In Store Facebook Access? (allfacebook.com)
- Washington, DC Apple Store Design Approved… Yay! (drinkingoatmealstout.com)
- Apple Will Now Price Match With Other Retailers (geeksugar.com)
- Facebook Joins OpenID Foundation; So What? (tsurch.com)
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_b.png?x-id=50d8902d-66a2-4a94-baf6-84921fd6ccb0)
Tags: Apple, AppleStore, Connect, facebook, IPod, OpenID, Retail, Starbucks
Feb 06, 2009
Hearing that Apple is locking out FB gives me an ominous “they are going the Starbucks route” feeling. Hope not. Support peoples (non-criminal) behavior! Don’t fight it!
Feb 06, 2009
One thought on Apple’s ban on Facebook, Adam: On more than one occasion, I have been in an Apple store and discovered someone’s Facebook account still logged in and active on one of the store’s computers.
It may be as simple as that. Or, given the mall-based location of most Apple stores outside of NYC, that they’ve found the free computer access attracts hordes of teens who hog all the display computers and scare away other customers.
Feb 06, 2009
amen!
Feb 06, 2009
Alan
You first point is very valid; but I think it is up to the individual to log out, not apple.
As for your second point; yes, I think people probably do take advantage of free computer access–and this should be monitored. I think this should be done on a case by case basis; I don’ think it is a good idea to block certain sites. Just my $.02
Feb 07, 2009
Adam: I’m a big fan of personal responsibility too.
My thought (which I should have made more explicit) was that their legal department may have had a hand in the ban, which in any event I agree is overreaction- a couple of signs reminding people to log out of their personal accounts and allowing certain stores to “accidentally” lose their internet connections between say 3:30 and 5:30 on weekdays, may have solved that problem without them looking Big Brother-ish.