Through cloud, Apple circles wagons on ecosystem: 10 proof points

In a keynote speech during its Worldwide Developers Conference event, leading tech company Apple announced new features for “Lion,” the next version of its desktop operating system OS X; the next version of its mobile operating system, iOS 5; and a new service, iCloud, which stores content in the cloud and automatically syncs it across multiple devices.

In doing so, it demonstrated how quickly the company is circling the wagons on its computing ecosystem, shutting out outsiders unless they play by strict rules — and nearly doing away with alternatives altogether.

This is hardly the first article ever published about Apple’s distaste for working with partners on any grounds but those it sets ahead of time, but in today’s keynote speech, chief executive Steve Jobs made it expressly clear that if you want to reach a significant portion of the market for laptops, smartphones and tablets, you’ll have to play by its rules.

It’s good to be the popular girl, isn’t it? Here’s a list of 10 proof points, based on Apple’s announcements today:

1. Software, via the App Store. The Mac OS X App Store was announced months ago, but Apple reinforced it with numbers this time: it’s now the No. 1 channel for buying computer software, ahead of Best Buy and Walmart. With the Mac installed user base growing 28 percent year-over-year — the PC is declining — and MacBooks occupying almost three-quarters of all notebook sales, that means Apple is increasingly able to pressure developers through its App Store chokepoint, just the same as the App Store in iOS. Which means a cut for Apple and rules as to what kind of content can be sold there. That includes its own operating system — OS X Lion will be sold exclusively through this route, locking down the channel for that and making it a little harder to make a Hackintosh.

2. E-commerce, via iOS Accounts. Apple said it had more than 225 million accounts with credit cards and one-click purchasing. That’s a serious customer base for any kind of e-commerce endeavor, and it means anyone who uses an iOS device — or Mac App Store-enabled PC — is in this boat.

3. Advertising, via iAds. If you want to show an add anywhere on this platform, save for the World Wide Web (and even then, Adobe Flash just won’t do), you’ll need to use Apple’s advertising platform.

4. Books, magazines and newspapers, via iOS Newsstand. Any of these that you subscribe to, you can now do through Apple’s offering. It instantly gives publishers a way to get in front of iOS users, particularly those with iPads — under Apple’s rules, of course.

5. Music, movies and TV, via iTunes in the cloud. This is a big one: no more multiple downloads/payments for the same piece of content. My CNET colleague Greg Sandoval has been doggedly reporting on Apple’s sparring with record labels over royalties for this kind of thing — let’s just say the legal kinks aren’t all worked out — but the bottom line is that it’s the last damn time you’re paying for Led Zeppelin I.

6. Games, via Game Center. iOS is now the world’s most popular gaming platform, besting console makers by a significant margin in terms of installed customer base. And it’s social, thriving on more usage by others around you.

7. Contacts and calendar, via iOS sharing. Now you can share your contacts and calendar with other users, allowing iCal the potential to make significant inroads against Google’s offering. Still, without significant enterprise support (most shops are using Exchange or Google Apps), this is more of a consumer play — and contacts without Facebook seems to take the teeth out of this.

8. E-mail, via iCloud. MobileMe is now absorbed into iCloud. And it’s for free. Fans of MobileMe shelled out $99 a year for a suite of helpful services, including the @me.com e-mail service. Now it’s open season — anyone can have this.

9. Documents, spreadsheets and presentations head to the cloud. Pages, Numbers, Keynote — all of the files managed by these are traditionally Microsoft territory (with Google Apps leading the resistance charge) and that company has resisted letting Apple’s iWork suite make any inroads against it. But if these apps are easily available on any iOS device, can they begin to turn the tide?

10. Direct messaging, via iMessage. Think of it like BBM for the Apple set: direct messaging for iOS users only, over Wi-Fi or 3G.

11. Peer-to-peer file sharing, via AirDrop. Replacing the run-across-the-room-with-a-USB-stick phenomenon.

12. Photo Stream. Share and sync photos across devices, in conjunction with iPhoto.

So let’s review:

If you’re a business and want to sell software, music, movies, TV, books, magazines, newspapers, video games or ads to the growing mobility-minded population that also happens to be increasingly favoring Apple products, you’ll have to play by Apple rules.

If you’re one of the millions of consumers who use an iOS device and want to send a short message, e-mail, photo, file or business document of any kind — or want to buy something online — Apple has solutions that are not just available, but preferred on your chosen ecosystem. You have to go out of your way to find an alternative, assuming it’s available through the channels I’ve outlined above — after all, Apple’s the gatekeeper.

It’s a services world, baby, and you’re just livin’ in it.

Note: Source taken from CNET blog.

now it is OUR WAR! Part-I

Pakistan has lost over 35,000 lives in last 3 years after engaging itself in partial war-like situation with extremist working inside and outside Pakistan. These people have died in parks, masjids, churches, temples, imam-barghas, shrines, market places, on roads - in other words, just name a place and situation and you will find people here in Pakistan have shed their blood and they're still called by rest of the world that they're not serious in this war or have not done enough.

I wonder how they want us to do enough?

After 9/11, there was a continuous debate among intellectuals here in Pakistan whether to declare this Afghan war against Taliban and al-Qaeda as ours or keep our distance from it. I was of option earlier, it was not our war - the mess is created by America and it should be solely its responsibility to clean this up.

Unfortunately, we had two terrible incidents in month of May, first of Osama bin Laden's presence in Abbottabad and then attack on Pakistan Navy base in Karachi. Of course, many would argue how could Osama be in Abbottabad - living so near to PMA Kakul and without coming into ISI or other intelligence agencies radar. Yes, there is a possibility some elements might be helping in his 5 years presence there but in general, we must understand... after this bloodshed, many in Pakistan stopped backing Osama and so as America as it keeps on violating our airspace.

I'm personally least bother, if Osama was there or not? I just don't want to get myself into this debate... For me, being a Pakistan - the one who thinks he is a die-hard Pakistani, a nationalist - who've been supporting Army, our institutions from day1, can't undertake this predicament that we can't do anything if someone violates our airspace or land from western borders. Give me break - we're a nation of 180 million people and we can't do anything... Yes, maybe we can't as our politicians and Armed officers are more concerned about their children future in abroad then of 80 million young Pakistanis living in Pakistan - I will come to this point some other day.

The 2nd incident was attack on PNS base in Karachi, they took down two of most expensive spy planes P-3C and guess what like every bad boy in classroom - TTP declared they're responsible. Just to recap for those who don't know about TTP involvement in Pakistan... they're doing everything which could help our border enemies to laugh on us.

You know what is the solution of both problems? if someone ask me for one-single solution... I would say, fire the top lots - we should at least first 50+ people from junior most military officier to senior most. This would've been the clear message for all, that if Americans can find Osama here and if few TTP members can invade a base then we should better not have them.