Apple Takes A Bite Out of Flurry

During the D8 conference a couple of weeks ago, Jobs announced that part of the reason Apple modified the Developer agreement was due to an incident that occurred in January 2010.  Apparently Flurry Analytics, one of the foremost mobile analytics firms, released data they collected that purportedly came from the forthcoming, unannounced iPad and the next iteration of the iPhone.  The devices were detected and identified as originating from Apple's Cupertino campus.  Despite Apple's displeasure with speculation about the possibility of an Apple tablet, the rumors were once and for all proven to be true.  This charade pissed Jobs and company off so much so that they eventually decided to modify the developer agreement so that collecting device data without Apple's express permission is prohibited.

Now, I usually don't question Apple. In fact, when Steve says "jump", I say, "how high?"  However, this is going a little to far.  You'd be hard pressed to find a single site on the interweb that doesn't implement some form of analytics.  Whether it's Google Analytics or something that comes packaged with your web hosting service, almost everything is tracked.  And forget about just knowing what device a person is using.  We can tell which version of the OS is running,  the size of your screen, which version of flash and even what browser is being used.  We also track each and every page view and interaction.  Most of the time this data is used to improve funneling or to help gauge how a site is being used by its visitors.  We've been doing it for years across millions of sites and we never make mention of it.  We don't ask for permission or even disclose that you're being tracked and yet no one seems to have a problem.  Why?  Because who cares if a site knows you're running windows 95 and flash 6?  The answer is simple. No one.  I still don't know who you are, nor do I care. You're a statistic.

I can see if Apple's gripe was with developers who collect analytics and associate data with email addresses or other personal information without disclosure.  Worse, some developers sell this data.  There's a potential privacy issue and it's distasteful.  Where such is the case, Apple should intercede on behalf of it's customers.  A knee-jerk reaction that punishes everyone hardly solves the problem.  The fact is that most app developers look closely at analytics to learn how their app is being used and to determine if any changes need to be made to their apps to provide a better user experience.  

This is not a privacy issue, it's a control issue.  Case-in-point, Apple's exception for collecting analytics is in the case of advertising. – Surprise, surprise.  Apple is introducing iAds later this month and they will be integrated directly into iOS 4.  So it's okay to use analytics to target people as long as you're advertising to them, but if you want to know how you app is being used so you can improve it, no dice.  Doesn't seem to make sense.

Let's be honest.  The real reason Apple got pissed off is because Flurry told the world the iPad and the new iPhone existed before Apple did.  Same thing with Gizmodogate.  How many potential customers were converted when the news of the upcoming iPhone was made public?  Water Coolers were a-buzz with the titillating details.  Instead of bringing the case to the DA and coming off as holier-than-thou, Apple should have just taken a load off and basked in all the attention.  – Not that what Gizmodo did was justified or professional.  

Apple is infamous for heavily protecting its trade secrets and even the most minute details about upcoming products; but to what end?  You can only maintain so much control as your brand grows and your products increasingly hypnotize the public.  At some point, you need to let go and appreciate the attention.  As the great 20th century poet and my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Schlushenberg, once said, "You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose."

Apple, let it go.  Your products are nothing short of amazing.  You can sell sand to an Eskimo or whatever the saying is.  People will wait on line for weeks for products they know will never be sold out.  You're a phonomenon.  Enjoy it and stop complaining.

Put more energy into solving this little AT&T exclusivity problem.

If anyone needs me, I'll be waiting on line to buy an iPhone 4 on the 24th even though I pre-ordered it and could have had it shipped to my house that day. I want to wait in line for hours.  I want the Apple employees to clap at me as I walk in the store.  I want to be part of something bigger.  I want meaning in my life and I want to know how people are using my apps so I can make them better.

I think I'm going to be sick.

D8 Conference 2010 - Steve Jobs

Flurry reveals iPad prototypes