Apple Becomes IBM

Guillermo Rauch believes Apple has transformed into a company focused on preserving its existing business through restrictive policies rather than innovation, comparing them to IBM and Oracle in their approach to developer freedom and market control.

Key Points:

• Apple's Current Business Approach:

  • "Apple is like in the IBM phase of like 'let's preserve what we have at all costs and litigate'"
  • "They're almost becoming like Oracle of our generation"
  • Their focus has shifted to "terms of service" enforcement rather than innovation

• Restrictions on Developer Freedom:

  • Apple imposes significant "constraints on developer freedom"
  • They "tax you and only let you run one browser engine"
  • This creates an environment where developers can't freely ship their products

• Missed Opportunities:

  • "Apple could have shipped Instagram"
  • "Apple could have shipped so many things"
  • They fail to fix existing issues like "the zoom annoying popover of facial effects"

• Developer-Centric Alternative:

  • Guillermo advocates for "a world where developers can just ship"
  • This is "the main idea of Vercel" (his company)
  • Apple is "constraining" this developer freedom

• Public Criticism as Constructive:

  • He's sharing this feedback "in the interest of like open public feedback"
  • Notes that Tim Sweeney from Epic Games "had a similar comment"
  • Hopes his criticism helps "the company becomes better"

• Camera Innovation Example:

  • Despite Apple's control, many successful camera apps have emerged
  • Mentions "Haliday camera," Instagram, and Savage as examples of camera innovation
  • Suggests there's room for more camera innovation despite Apple's restrictions