04.28.11
The iPhone Conspiracy
[Cartoon]
Is Apple the subject of a conspiracy? Are they actually compiling personal information on those that use an iPhone or iPad?
Personal applications capture the information on the sequence of events that may lead up to a system failure. Unfortunately, logging for problem diagnosis of smartphone applications has expanded concerns beyond resolving software bugs. The events of each individual who uses a personal application are being captured.
Every personal computer application includes tracking. Navigational logging can track an individual’s pattern of movement. Phone calls are logged, both initiated and received. Photographs, music, and voice recordings are all recorded.
Some are perpetuating the idea that this is a major invasion on our privacy. They conjure up conspiracy theories of how major providers like Apple are out to get our most private information. They propose that Apple has a sinister motive for their logging and the truth will eventually come out.
Is it possible that the real conspiracy is coming from those that might be trying to tarnish the Apple iPhone and iPad market? Consider that Apple has the largest market share in both these categories. They have the market share because they created the market and have continued to be responsive to their customers’ needs with enhancements. Other vendors are in “follow the leader” mode. These other vendors and employees have the greatest to gain by frightening the customer that uses an Apple device.
Most people are not cheating on their spouse, buy illicit drugs, robbing banks, or doing anything else that they are not proud to have exposed. They like the convenience of having the logged information on their smartphone. It is great to be able to have a history of phone calls. It is great to navigate to locations previously visited. It is also great that most of the applications work the first time and every other time.
So consider, who are those people concerned about personal application event tracking? They must be those that are cheating or are outright breaking the law. They feel that what scares them might scare everyone else. They are probably those that are playing catch-up in the smartphone market. They must be the ones that think everyone else is stupid.
Everyone knows that all the smartphones log activity. There is nothing unique about Apple products. Androids have a framework for application development that supports logging for diagnostics. Are we to believe that there is a conspiracy with the Androids as well?
Could it be that there is simply a conspiracy to imply that there is a conspiracy? I believe so. Could the effort be an attempt to shift market share from the leader by using scare tactics?
The Enterprise Architects can see what is coming and are already preparing. They know that this will be their time. Corporations will be able to completely focus on their business, and automation will be viewed as an agile enabler. Automation will finally become the self-service contributor that the Corporate Office has always wanted it to be. –Enterprise Architects Masters of the Unseen City
Closing the Business / IT gap.
