Now that George Hotz, of Glen Rock, N.J has unlocked the iPhone for other carrier networks, it reminds me of another time when Apple wanted to be the only fruit hanging on the tree.

Back in the days of Windows 2.5, (a very bad OS) when Apple could have made a serious challenge to the computing landscape they choose instead to operate in a closed environment and not license their OS to other hardware manufactures, you know the rest.

VHS and BetaMax is another example of how better quality does not always win out, it often comes down to accessibility and price, performance is a relative measure.

That Apple’s new found success is due in large measure to the ipod and iphone and not their computers speaks to mass consumer demand for electronics and not niche market computers no matter how elegant the OS.

The iphone is a course change for the cell phone industry from a user operational perspective and clones will appear. The question is why not open the iphone so it can work on other networks and grow a cottage industry of third-party plug-ins like ( ____ fill in the blank) here in the U.S. and abroad.

Apple, why not invite some more friends to hang with you on the tree?