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...that the four words,

"...Apple's attention to detail..."

are going to be part of the discourse as slashdotters exchange ideas on Apple, despite whatever happened to the phrase when one considers the maps fiacso and the chipping issues that have been part of the latest iphone story.

And it won't be long, trust me on that...just saying.

Actually...

Apple has utilities from both NetBSD and OpenBSD.

Darwin has code from FreeBSD, NetBSD, and OpenBSD, as well as code from Apple both in kernel space and userland (including the system library - the memory allocator, for example, isn't from any *BSD).

...and there's lots of FreeBSD code in OS X. One obvious example is the property lists API, which is a really odd feature from FreeBSD

No, it's from NeXTStEP, not FreeBSD.

Also, there's a BSD kernel in OS X, which is a process managed by Mach.

Mach manages tasks and threads; UN*X processes are built atop Mach tasks, and pthreads are built atop Mach threads. The "BSD kernel" part of XNU (under the bsd subdirectory) is what implements the "UN*X processes" stuff (among other things, such as the file system and networking mechanisms), and that code runs in both the "kernel task" (the UN*X process for which is pid 0) and in other tasks; it doesn't run in "a" process/task in the sense of "it runs in a single process/task".

Not sure if it was ripped from FreeBSD or NetBSD.

The from-BSD parts of the "BSD kernel" are mostly taken from FreeBSD, but have changed significantly, and the "BSD kernel" has a fair bit of Apple code in it, as well as, for example, Sun (Open Solaris) code (as in "DTrace").

Check it out, from the horses mouth.

You are looking at the wrong horse.

The BSD portion of the OS X kernel is derived primarily from FreeBSD, a version of 4.4BSD that offers advanced networking, performance, security, and compatibility features.

I'm surprised there are not smartphones running BSD. Maybe soon...

There are.

The Darwin kernel (which is called XNU) is a bit weird - I spent some time looking into it when it was still a relatively new thing (2003-4 kind of era). XNU is Mach + FreeBSD + DeviceKit/Apple-y bits, all sharing the same protection domain. The latter point is interesting, since despite the fact Mach is considered a microkernel they've actually shoved all of the other kernel-level services in with it, rather than separating them into different processes. This makes the whole kernel basically monolithic (i.e. like the modern Windows and Linux kernels), which is kind of unexpected!

The Apple-y bits in the kernel that I mentioned definitely includes DeviceKit, their driver interface. Maybe some other stuff as well. The drivers are not normal FreeBSD-like device drivers - I think they're even C++, unlike FreeBSD itself.

I found it all a bit unexpected really, things didn't fit together as I'd imagined.

There's probably more in here; I'm not sure if it's the original one I read through!
https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/#documentation/Darwin/Conceptual/KernelProgramming/About/About.html

Looks like I was wrong on one count, the basic model of the Surface has sold out and new orders are shipping later. But Microsoft doesn't think HDMI is needed on an entry level tablet, either: their HDMI adapter costs $39.99! That's actually 99 cents more than Apple's adapter, for what it's worth :-D

Windows needs to make "future" applications unable to get out of their install directory, and unable to write to a global registry.

Viruses can't do a whole lot if they can't get to system files, can't modify anything but themselves.

Windows would suddenly catch up with this whole Internet fad if they secured their OS from viruses finally.

Sure allow trusted legacy aps an option to be run, but aps for the future should be basically sandboxed.

I believe if Microsoft made their OS secure against viruses, they'd actually be a step ahead of Apple. The main old reason Apple doesn't have a lot of viruses is that it had a lower market share for a long time.

Now I'm confused.

You state that Microsoft would be ahead of Apple if they did what you listed above - do you not realize that this is exactly what Apple is doing right now?

https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/#documentation/Security/Conceptual/AppSandboxDesignGuide/

You can already do that on a mac if you get their mouse that comes with every Macintosh. Their laptops have had that capability for a while. Apple is ahead on this one.

I can see the privacy raminifications of using Google or Facebook. But Apple? Seriously?

Apple sold 5 million iPhone 5s on opening weekend. As of 1 month ago, Nokia has sold 7 million Lumias. Total.

The Lumia was introduced in November 2011, so that's 10 months of sales. Apple sold over 100 million iPhones last year.

That is not the half of it Android activates 1.3 Million phones every day, and has a market share 4 times that of Apple, and Nokia could have had an Android product...and still had a Windows one if it really wanted.

Apple sold 5 million iPhone 5s on opening weekend. As of 1 month ago, Nokia has sold 7 million Lumias. Total.

The Lumia was introduced in November 2011, so that's 10 months of sales. Apple sold over 100 million iPhones last year.

"The Company sold 20.34 million iPhones in the quarter, representing 142 percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter. Apple sold 9.25 million iPads during the quarter, a 183 percent unit increase over the year-ago quarter. The Company sold 3.95 million Macs during the quarter, a 14 percent unit increase over the year-ago quarter. Apple sold 7.54 million iPods, a 20 percent unit decline from the year-ago quarter."
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2011/07/19Apple-Reports-Third-Quarter-Results.html

Apple makes pretty good profit, of course. Would love to know what the Lenovo and HP sales translate into for Microsoft OS & apps, so we can do a profitability comparison.

A groove(y) synth at that - and not half bad - and at a price that's affordable. So, now we know ;-) http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/xenon-groove-synthesizer/id385498073?mt=8 No connection, just like it among others.

What do you mean?

The $35 adapter with the authentication chip to prevent anyone else from doing a cheaper one, so yes, it is a money grab.

Apple doesn't sell any adapters the the iPhone 5 that cost $35.

Then you're ignorant and if you're assuming everyone speaks in American dollars and the variance of $6 was enough to have you so confused you don't even know what i'm talking about then clearly you lack the cognitive ability to have this discussion.

Still no idea what you mean.

Really? The price wasn't in American dollars (thus a variance of $6) and renders you so confused that you have "no idea" what i mean? Either you're being a clear apologist by way of acting intentionally obtuse or you're just way below the bar in terms of intelligence and cognitive reasoning, i'm assuming it's the latter.

Man, you apple haters are easy to whip up into a frenzy. You just love the rant! Trolling you is like beating your grandma at Mario Kart and declaring yourself awesome.

Of course I knew you were referring to the two separate (and thusfar only) Lightning adapters - what else do you think is the entire topic of this discussion? I figured since you didn't log in you were simply in a foaming Apple hate rant and in your rush to spread vitriol you were just ignorant of the price - most apple hate trolls fall into this category so it was a safe bet, but what I didn't figure was that you were just being non-specific.

You should be aware that the general custom when the dollar sign is unspecified that it refers to the US dollar, and is otherwise specified as HKD, CAD, AUD etc when listed alone. You should know this if you're genuinely from Australia.

What do you mean?

The $35 adapter with the authentication chip to prevent anyone else from doing a cheaper one, so yes, it is a money grab.

Apple doesn't sell any adapters the the iPhone 5 that cost $35.

Then you're ignorant and if you're assuming everyone speaks in American dollars and the variance of $6 was enough to have you so confused you don't even know what i'm talking about then clearly you lack the cognitive ability to have this discussion.

Still no idea what you mean.

Really? The price wasn't in American dollars (thus a variance of $6) and renders you so confused that you have "no idea" what i mean? Either you're being a clear apologist by way of acting intentionally obtuse or you're just way below the bar in terms of intelligence and cognitive reasoning, i'm assuming it's the latter.

Man, you apple haters are easy to whip up into a frenzy. You just love the rant! Trolling you is like beating your grandma at Mario Kart and declaring yourself awesome.

Of course I knew you were referring to the two separate (and thusfar only) Lightning adapters - what else do you think is the entire topic of this discussion? I figured since you didn't log in you were simply in a foaming Apple hate rant and in your rush to spread vitriol you were just ignorant of the price - most apple hate trolls fall into this category so it was a safe bet, but what I didn't figure was that you were just being non-specific.

You should be aware that the general custom when the dollar sign is unspecified that it refers to the US dollar, and is otherwise specified as HKD, CAD, AUD etc when listed alone. You should know this if you're genuinely from Australia.

What do you mean?

The $35 adapter with the authentication chip to prevent anyone else from doing a cheaper one, so yes, it is a money grab.

Apple doesn't sell any adapters the the iPhone 5 that cost $35.

Then you're ignorant and if you're assuming everyone speaks in American dollars and the variance of $6 was enough to have you so confused you don't even know what i'm talking about then clearly you lack the cognitive ability to have this discussion.

Still no idea what you mean.

Really? The price wasn't in American dollars (thus a variance of $6) and renders you so confused that you have "no idea" what i mean? Either you're being a clear apologist by way of acting intentionally obtuse or you're just way below the bar in terms of intelligence and cognitive reasoning, i'm assuming it's the latter.

What do you mean?

The $35 adapter with the authentication chip to prevent anyone else from doing a cheaper one, so yes, it is a money grab.

Apple doesn't sell any adapters the the iPhone 5 that cost $35.

Then you're ignorant and if you're assuming everyone speaks in American dollars and the variance of $6 was enough to have you so confused you don't even know what i'm talking about then clearly you lack the cognitive ability to have this discussion.

Still no idea what you mean.

Really? The price wasn't in American dollars (thus a variance of $6) and renders you so confused that you have "no idea" what i mean? Either you're being a clear apologist by way of acting intentionally obtuse or you're just way below the bar in terms of intelligence and cognitive reasoning, i'm assuming it's the latter.

Google: "site:techdirt.com apple arbitrary"

Well you could do that if you wanted to end up with a lot of out of date and incorrect information. But that's close enough for an Apple Hater!!

http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2009/04/24/crudebox-becomes-prudebox-to-make-it-into-the-app-store/

The link even says it's in the App Store. Next!

http://almerica.blogspot.ca/2008/09/podcaster-rejeceted-because-it.html
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10042127-2.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20

Podcaster is in the App Store.

http://forum.nin.com/bb/read.php?59,651569
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/91508-Apple-Blocks-Obscene-Newsreader-Apphttp://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/91508-Apple-Blocks-Obscene-Newsreader-App

Apple is very clear they do not allow obscene/pornographic content in the app store (this is not an arbitrary rule):
"Applications must not contain any obscene, pornographic, offensive or defamatory content "

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2009/may/21/apple-iphone

Apple is in fact Allowing Kama Sutra on the app store.

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/09/apple-imposes-n/

This article was not correct even way back in 2008 when it was posted.

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/36946/Interview_Molleindustria_On_Phone_Storys_Objectionable_Message.php

Prohibiting child abuse in an app is not an "arbitrary" policy.

SInce you can't even be arsed to check a lint you copy from Google, I see no reason to read anything further from you or to respond again. As such you may have the last most and copy blindly from Google all the outdated links you like.

I'm sorry, I was just using Apples very own wording. According to Apples website, there are, as I clearly stated, 3 different models of iPhone currently available.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone/compare

Title on that page is "Compare iPhone models"

There is a similar page comparing the 2 iPad models too.

I don't see why everyone is arguing with me on this? All you have to do is go to Apples own website to confirm what I have been saying (with obvious exception to the speculation on the iPad Mini, deny it's coming if you want). Why can't we use facts in this discussion?

Strange that Apple wouldn't release the iTunes overhaul in conjunction with these iPods. That overhaul is well overdue, more than any iPod refresh...

http://www.apple.com/itunes/new-itunes/ - Coming in October

Close enough?

I doubt it. Our apple overlords will categorise this as 'Undesirable' as it allows their phone users to communicate in ways that they want

It's funny how so many things people seem to doubt Apple would ever approve, actually get approved. Like for instance a virtualized burner phone, an app that provides you a temporary number lasting a week or as long as you see fit.

There's already a ton of precedent for Apple to approve something like Silent Circle, and a ton of people like yourself in the dustbin of failed predictions claiming Apple will not accept product X because, well, Apple.

I specifically exclude Apple from the business category here, due to the lack of things like docking stations, dual external display support, etc.

Some of the MacBook models support connecting multiple thunderbolt displays. And since the thunderbolt display acts as a dock itself (and then some: additional USB ports, fw800 port, gigabit ethernet port, thunderbolt port, security slot, built-in camera and microphone, built-in speakers) Apple has some great options for you, and it can all be done over a single port on the MacBook.

what's the issue here?

So you wanna know? It seems you have trouble with comprehension, or do you? Let's see: -

So you damn the company because you don't agree with the personal opinion of one of its employees?

Nope! Not at all. What bothers me and most of the iOS users is the subtext. In fact, Apple had to remove those unfortunate claims, (Look at comment 4).

Heck, Apple maps are still very very disappointing. People bought into the idea that they were to be getting a fully functional device...not some piece of junk.

The map still does not work in my area of interest! To make matters worse, they were replacing a fully functional product...all in the name of "it just works"...what ever that now means. I had to dump the device and got myself the SG3. I am happy I did.

what's the issue here?

So you wanna know? It seems you have trouble with comprehension, or do you? Let's see: -

So you damn the company because you don't agree with the personal opinion of one of its employees?

Nope! Not at all. What bothers me and most of the iOS users is the subtext. In fact, Apple had to remove those unfortunate claims, (Look at comment 4).

Heck, Apple maps are still very very disappointing. People bought into the idea that they were to be getting a fully functional device...not some piece of junk.

The map still does not work in my area of interest! To make matters worse, they were replacing a fully functional product...all in the name of "it just works"...what ever that now means. I had to dump the device and got myself the SG3. I am happy I did.

"...can you blame them?"

Ohh yes I can, but for a different reason:

Lies, blatant lies, or call them broad day thievery, for lack of a better term. Wanna know why? Here's why:

Apple's top gun on their "wonderful maps..."

"Designed by Apple from the ground up, Maps give you turn-by-turn spoken directions, interactive 3D views, and the stunning Flyover feature. All of which may just make this app the most beautiful, powerful mapping service ever."

Want proof? Fella, I didn't make this up:

Read here for the actual claim, here, for customers who almost revolted (my words), and here to satisfy your mind that Apple was then forced to face the truth.

Need more? Simply ask.

Checking between the Apple iPhone 4, 4s, 5.
http://www.apple.com/iphone/compare-iphones/

Standby time has gone from 300 hours (4) to 200 hours (5).
While browsing on 3g has gone from 6 to 8 hours (4 to 5).
Wifi has stayed the same, but diped with the 4s to 9 (from 10).

Checking the Motorola droids:
And the first Droid listed talk time 385 minutes (6.4 hours)and standby time: 270 hours
DROID RAZR listed at 750 minutes (12.5 hours) talk time and standby time: 205 hours
DROID RAZR MAXX is listed at 21.5 hours of talk time and 380 hours of standby time.

So if we are talking about Apple, they don't seem to be getting better relative to their loss of standby time. With Motorola at least you can by a phone that get's a much longer talk time and standby time.

From the other quick searches I did, it seems like the earlier iPhones used to be leading the pack in battery life. Clearly, not the case anymore..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola_Droid
http://www.motorola.com/us/consumers/DROID-MAXX/better-battery/96406,en_US,pd.html?selectedTab=tab-2&cgid=mobile-phones#tab
http://www.motorola.com/us/consumers/DROID-RAZR-BY-MOTOROLA/78281,en_US,pd.html?selectedTab=tab-2&cgid=mobile-phones#tab

popphoto doesn't know what it's talking about.

Ahem...
http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/12/apple-details-iphone-5s-new-camera-8mp-same-as-iphone-4s-but/ [engadget.com]
http://www.iphonehacks.com/2012/09/iphone-5-vs-iphone-4s-camera-image-quality-comparison.html [iphonehacks.com]
http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/ [apple.com]

Every fucking link I find has Apple saying "Same camera sensor, just thinner."

Are you insinuating that Apple is lying about what is inside its phone?

Ahem...
http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/12/apple-details-iphone-5s-new-camera-8mp-same-as-iphone-4s-but/
http://www.iphonehacks.com/2012/09/iphone-5-vs-iphone-4s-camera-image-quality-comparison.html
http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/

Every fucking link I find has Apple saying "Same camera sensor, just thinner."

Try again.

Most of those Microsoft Windows based PCs are actually doing boring tasks like cash registers, data entry, surveillance, systems control, etc. They aren't being used by people for more creative tasks.

Y'know, I gotta admit, I wonder about this.

Apple sold a bunch of iPads to United Airlines to replace a bunch of flight logs, maps, etc. My local sustainable seafood place uses an iPad for a cash register. A local hip tea place has iPads mounted on the wall so you you can sit and drink your tea while surfing the web. I've heard of them being used by wait-people at restaurants, though haven't encountered any.

So how many iPads are actually being used by consumers and how many of them are being used as one-tricky-pony gadgets in a business. And if it's bad that Windows-based PCs are doing boring tasks like being cash registers, why is it not bad that iPads get used the same way?

I could also remark on the companies that have iMacs for the receptionist because they look cool...

Macs do NOT use business-class hardware. Still using the same shit-binned Hynix/Infineon RAM that anyone can get for $50 yet Apple charges almost $200 for the exact same module. Same shitty HDDs that fails like any other. Same shitty GPUs that would get put in any other system - http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377

I worked Apple Repair for Flextronics. I know what the insides of Macs actually use. It's the SAME SHIT.

Well, Nokia Maps are available on all WP devices as an application, and one can install Nokia Maps to iPhone too - besides Apple advices the same: http://www.apple.com/letter-from-tim-cook-on-maps/.

Ironically, the post RIGHT above yours has(d?) this in it.

  go to http://www.apple.com/uk/legal/statutory-warranty/ which actually explains your rights rather well, and provides links to government websites.

So, no.

MacBookAir $999

Give me a similar box. Make sure to include battery life, screen resolution and case dimensions.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook_air/select

The law includes a requirement to point out what remedies the customer is entitled to under the law. Probably, that is exactly to prevent sellers from deceiving the buyer into thinking they must pay for an extended warranty. Apple ignored that bit exactly so they could sell the extended warranty.

No, that's what someone is claiming, but not what is actually happening. If you go to store.apple.com/uk and enter "applecare" in the search box, then click on one of the products offered (the first one is applecare for iphone), you see in bold letters (yes, it's actually bold): "Important Note: Apple One-Year Limited Warranty and AppleCare Protection Plan benefits are in addition to rights provided under consumer law. For details, click here." And when you do "click here", you go to http://www.apple.com/uk/legal/statutory-warranty/ which actually explains your rights rather well, and provides links to government websites.

Now compare to Dell: They say - nothing.

The European Union is strict about consumer law so that consumers will be comfortable buying across national boundaries within the Union. It's part of the "single market" concept which defines the EU.

"A practice is misleading if it contains false or untrue information or is likely to deceive the consumer, even though the information given may be correct. In particular, this information relates to: ... the consumersâ(TM) rights on aspects of the sale of consumer goods."

Here's how Apple misleads customers: Start at the Apple UK site. Try to find warranty information. The "support" page does not mention a warranty. There's "AppleCare Products - extend support coverage for your Apple products." Going to that page, we see "All Apple hardware comes with a one-year limited warranty (1) and up to 90 days of complimentary telephone technical support.". Down at note 1, in grey 77% white type, there's a link to "Apple Products and EU Statutory Warranty" Only there does Apple admit there's a 2-year warranty.

The European Union is strict about consumer law so that consumers will be comfortable buying across national boundaries within the Union. It's part of the "single market" concept which defines the EU.

"A practice is misleading if it contains false or untrue information or is likely to deceive the consumer, even though the information given may be correct. In particular, this information relates to: ... the consumersâ(TM) rights on aspects of the sale of consumer goods."

Here's how Apple misleads customers: Start at the Apple UK site. Try to find warranty information. The "support" page does not mention a warranty. There's "AppleCare Products - extend support coverage for your Apple products." Going to that page, we see "All Apple hardware comes with a one-year limited warranty (1) and up to 90 days of complimentary telephone technical support.". Down at note 1, in grey 77% white type, there's a link to "Apple Products and EU Statutory Warranty" Only there does Apple admit there's a 2-year warranty.

When will Apple write a manual for their damned devices?

What do you mean? Apple write manuals for their devices. They are available in PDF form on their website. They don't print the full manual and include it in the box any more to save on waste, instead just giving a brief quickstart guide, but the full manuals are still available. They are also available in iBooks.

Here's the (156 page) iPhone 5 manual, for example: http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/iphone_user_guide.pdf

And you're ignoring the even larger number of people posting about the terrible experience and many problems that they're having.

In the main they're coming from Fandroids like yourself that have never used Apple Maps.

Even Apple's CEO recognized that their new mapping app is a massive failure.

You really are a deluded individual. Sent mad by your worship of your smartphone choice. The exact words of Tim Cook are here, and everyone can see you are wrong. http://www.apple.com/letter-from-tim-cook-on-maps/

StackOverflow to the rescue! This is covered here: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/12523888/how-can-i-add-older-version-of-ios-sdk-in-xcode-4-5.

You can download older versions of Xcode so you can get that SDK by visiting Apple Developer Downloads.

If they purchased TomTom, They wouldn't need to write an app, TomTom already has an iOS app.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tomtom-u.s.a./id343289842

Must not be to many iOS users here...(saying that with an Android device in hand)

OK, us retina MacBook Pro buyers have been struggling for a couple of months now with the fact that Apple used two suppliers, LG and Samsung, to provide the screens for the rMBP. Unfortunately, the LG screens develop image retention or ghosting fairly quickly after purchase, and Apple has been all over the map in either replacing or refusing to replace these defective screens.

Us being niche in comparison, I suspect we won't see anything like that letter ourselves.

Apple discussions thread (you will need an Apple ID to access this, I think):
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4034848

MacRumors
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1424416

Apple Insider (post launch day)
http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/06/25/retina_display_image_retention_reported_by_new_macbook_pro_owners.html

Everybody makes this mistake. They think Apple competes with Microsoft. They don't. Apple is a hardware company. If Apple sold an OS that ran on other peoples hardware rather than bundling an OS with their hardware, then you could expect them to be sued. Apple even goes so far as to offer Boot Camp so that you can run an entirely different Operating System on their hardware if you would like.

They could have purchased TomTom, for example and had everything up and running immediately.

I think it's a bit more complicated than that. From Apple's mapping attribution page:

© 2006-2012 TomTom
Business listings data © Acxiom, 2012.
Map data © AND.
Property parcel data for USA. © CoreLogic Inc., 2012.
Satellite imagery data © DigitalGlobe, 2012.
Map and postal data © DMTI, 2012. This software contains Postal Code OM Data copied by Apple under a sub-license from DMTI Spatial Inc., a party directly licensed by Canada Post Corporation. The Canada Post Corporation file from which this data was copied is dated 2012.
Business listings data © Factual 2012.
Map data © Getchee, 2012.
© INCREMENT P CORP., 2012, http://www.incrementp.co.jp/gc01info/e/legal01.html.
Map data © Intermap, 2012.
Map data © LeadDog, 2012.
Business listings data © Localeze, 2012.
Mapping data for Australia and New Zealand. © MapData Services Pty Ltd., 2012, PSMA http://www.nowwhere.com.au/lic/NowWhereLic.htm.
Map data © MDA Information Systems, Inc., 2012.
Neighborhood data © Urban Mapping, 2012.
Map data © 2012 Waze.
âoeReviews from Yelpâ Yelp, 2012.
(CanVec)
© Department of Natural Resources Canada. All rights reserved.
http://www.geogratis.gc.ca/geogratis/en/index.html
(CGIAR-CSI SRTM)
CGIAR Consortium for Spatial Information, http://srtm.csi.cgiar.org/
Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset, Version 1.0, http://www.flickr.com/
(GeoNames)
GeoNames and contributors, http://www.geonames.org.
(GlobCover)
© ESA 2010 and UCLouvain, http://www.esa.int/esaEO/index.html

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, http://www.nasa.gov

Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2012. Contains Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right 2012. http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/

(OSDM)
© Commonwealth of Australia, 2012. This data has been used with the permission of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth has not evaluated the data as altered and incorporated within this software, and therefore gives no warranty regarding its accuracy, completeness, currency or suitability for any particular purpose. http://spatial.gov.au

(OSM)
OpenStreetMap contributors, http://www.openstreetmap.org/
(StatCan)
Statistics Canada, http://www.statcan.gc.ca
(TIGER/Line® fi

They actually are using data from TomTom, but apparently it isn't as easy as "just writing the app".

http://gspa21.ls.apple.com/html/attribution.html

The idea that Steve Jobs never apologized for anything seems to be starting to become a common Slashdot misconception.

• http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501465_162-20008991-501465.html
• http://www.apple.com/hotnews/openiphoneletter/

I'm sure people can think of times when they wish he did apologize for something, but to say he never did would be inaccurate.

Good job driving ad traffic to BGR, who didn't even bother to link to the original source:

http://www.apple.com/letter-from-tim-cook-on-maps/

You may want to try out Google's Chrome browser for iOS - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chrome/id535886823?mt=8

Maps work great, just like blogger, analytics, etc...I'm posting this from Chrome on my iPad

Just FYI, there's more than 100M people using iOS.

100M people upgraded their iOS devices last week. Since this isn't a forced upgrade, there's more than 100M iOS devices.

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2012/09/24iPhone-5-First-Weekend-Sales-Top-Five-Million.html

Your conspiracy theory wouldn't be convincing even if your facts were correct, but few of them are.

both Apple decision to source OSM and the license change happened in 2010

I've been an OpenStreetMap contributor since 2008, and the license change discussions had already been started back then. You can find evidence of the process throughout the project's documentation and mailing lists, but for an obvious example look at the revision history of the OpenStreetMap wiki page for "Open Database License" (OSM's new license) and notice that the first version is from February 2008 and already describes the characteristics that define this license today.

loosing roughly 30% of map data in the process

This is a massive exaggeration of the effects of the license change, as the actual numbers for data loss are in the low one-digit figures.

Details depend on how you count, and unfortunately some areas - particularly Australia and Poland - were hit disproportionately hard. But even though this is indeed a setback for those regions, thanks to the continuing growth the current version of the database already contains more content than we had before the deletions (go to OSMstats and switch to the yearly graph; the dent in summer 2012 is from the license change). Even though this does not mean that all the damage has already been repaired, it makes me confident that the OSM community is up to the task.

took an Open Source map (OSM) and gave gave it to himself, without an obligation to share back the updates.

This misrepresents the purpose of the Open Database License. The ODbL has an exception for produced works such as image tiles or prints, but is otherwise a share alike license. So under the ODbL Apple would indeed be able to use OSM and keep the artistic components of their products, i.e. their pretty map designs, to themselves, but updates to the underlying factual data (and derivative databases such as routing graphs) would have to be open sourced.

But the most important fact that you are missing: Apple is not actually using much, if any OpenStreetMap data under the new license! The situation is somewhat confusing, though:

• Apple have been using OSM as their primary data source for iPhoto background maps since March. This was widely published and also acknowledged by the OpenStreetMap Foundation. To everyone's astonishment, though, they decided to use a two year old dump of the OpenStreetMap database for that application ... which also means this data is not affected by the license change at all.
• Apple list OSM as one of many sources for their recently released iOS maps here. They fail to mention the license (which incidentally is an, albeit minor, violation of the requirements of both the old and new license). As a result, it is hard to tell whether they have used post-license change data this time.
• Even though some traces of OSM data in iOS maps have been spotted, this is only the case in a few remote areas (Islamabad is one of the more convincing examples). Early assumptions that OSM data might be responsible for some prominent errors e.g. in Japan have turned out to be incorrect. In fact, many of those errors would have been avoided had Apple actually used OSM data there.

So if Apple indeed set up an elaborate conspiracy to have OSM release their data under ODbL, why aren't they using it?

TL;DR: There is neither a plausible connection between Apple and the OpenStreetMap license change, nor has the event damaged OpenStreetMap even remotely to the extent suggested by the parent's factually incorrect description.

Eventually, iOS users who don't want to wait for Apple-Google parity will be able to download native a native version of Google's maps

You mean an application that duplicates the functionality of a built-in app?

You really think Apple is going to allow this in the iOS store?

Yes.