Yesterday, Apple introduced new features of iPhone OS 4. Nice. Really? Should we embrace the platform and, for a lousy $99, become a developer for this API?

Those people who bothered to go through the application process noticed the difference in a clause 3.3.1, which in the past was just merely stating

“Applications may only use Documented APIs in the manner prescribed by Apple and must not use or call any private APIs.”,

the new version (the beta of iPhone OS 4.0) has the following interesting fragment:

“Applications must be originally written in Objective-C, C, C++, or JavaScript as executed by the iPhone OS WebKit engine, and only code written in C, C++, and Objective-C may compile and directly link against the Documented APIs (e.g., Applications that link to Documented APIs through an intermediary translation or compatibility layer or tool are prohibited).”

First of all, this change is a stab in the back to Adobe, that invested heavily into enhancing the upcoming CS5 release with the ability to EASILY create iPhone applications in ActionScript.  Apple kept quiet (chuckling in the bushes) for all this time and made this licensing change just several days before the release of CS5.

This is just a clear indication of the fact that Apple hates Adobe. And I want to make it clear. It’s not about competition. They simply want to apply techniques of a bully-looking security guard deciding who can get into the only night club in town.
“I don’t like the way you dressed. Get out of here.”

I love this analogy of what Apple just did:

Unless you've recorded your MP3 in GarageBand they won't sell your music in iTunes Store.

I’ve seen many products compete, but this is something else, and this is dirty. Why would Steve Jobs make such decisions? I can just make up two reasons:

1. There was some personal conflict between Steve Jobs and Adobe's CEO while the latter worked for Apple.
2. I applaud Steve Jobs for overcoming serious health problems and coming back to make Apple even stronger (since Jan 26 I made almost 20% on AAPL stocks), but after a person was on the verge of death, his values were changing and Steve might have decided to just do what he really wanted especially having $4B in the wallet.

Adobe's CTO remains polite, but states that iPhone is not the only multi-touch device and CS5 will be a valuable tool for many developers for various smart phones.

But what do they hate Java and C# for? I don't know.

Apple also seems to be afraid of people who are using the approved API but do it better than their own developers.

Side Bar
I like Apples products a lot. My family likes them too. Two of my sons and I use MacBooks. Each person has an iPod. Last Saturday I bought an iPad, and it delivers great experience.

Last month I wanted to sleep with iPad and I did it. And it was good. When I posted this photo on Twitter I got the following response from @schmidtkevinall  “Are you sure your MBP didn't sleep with your iPhone and produce that iPad?” And it was good.

iPad is much more superior to iPhone. It’s large, it’s fast, it’s long lasting. It just doesn’t make calls, but calling iPhone a phone is also an exaggeration, if you know what I mean. It lets me spending a little more time in bed checking emails keeping it on my belly. I eat breakfast with iPad – my son Dave came up with a nice idea of a free iPad stand.

What I don’t like about iPad is that my wife took it yesterday to show her colleagues at work and “forgot” to take it out of her bag when came home. I have a feeling that she wants us to get used to the fact that it’s her toy now.

As a matter of fact, iPad is the best gadget for non-geeks, including your parents and grandparents. They’ll love it!
One of my readers sent me an email with a detailed comparison of features of his Sony Vaio and iPad explaining why it make a lot more sense to buy a decent laptop than an iPad.  What a baloney!

Comparing technical sheets of iPad and a powerful laptop is like comparing technical features of the elite escort girl and a good loving wife.

A tried and true loving wife can do many different things, while that escort girl can do just a couple but how! Ask Eliot Spitzer.

The good news is that the word cheating is not applicable here. You can use a good laptop and an iPad at the same time.

Conclusion
Today, iPad is the only whore in town. Ok, make it two: iPhone and iPad. But guess what, every whore becomes old at some point. Android and Win7 mobile have entered the turnpike already, and they are moving really fast. HP Slate is coming closer too… Let’s welcome them. The more the merrier!