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Apple can't distribute any code that uses the GPL through the Appstore, it doesn't matter whether they want to or not, the Appstore is fundamentally incompatible with the GPL. They could do so with their OS, but there's no particular reason why a commercial vendor needs to rely upon a 3rd party to provide things that are important for the OS.

This is false. You *can* distribute GPL apps on the App Store, and there are many on there.

Here's a list of apps on there right now, some of these are GPL, some use other licences. The Wordpress app, for example, is GPL and on the store as we speak.

http://maniacdev.com/2010/06/35-open-source-iphone-app-store-apps-updated-with-10-new-apps/

Except in Apples: There's no free as in freedom there.

If that's true, how is it possible there are all these open source applications?

Another FUD article. Apple doesn't restrict open source apps from their app store.

For example:

http://maniacdev.com/2010/06/35-open-source-iphone-app-store-apps-updated-with-10-new-apps/

Number 4 on this list, Colloquy, is GPLv2.

http://maniacdev.com/2010/06/35-open-source-iphone-app-store-apps-updated-with-10-new-apps/

These guys:
http://maniacdev.com/2010/06/35-open-source-iphone-app-store-apps-updated-with-10-new-apps/

would like to disagree with you.

Yes, there's already many open source apps on the App Store. You can even use the GPLv2 if you like - as much as the FSF would have you believe, Apple changed the ToS to make it more friendly towards it.

Alternatively there are plenty of other OSS licences you can use.

Here are just a few:

http://maniacdev.com/2010/06/35-open-source-iphone-app-store-apps-updated-with-10-new-apps/

OSS software isn't even allowed to run in Apple's "Post-PC Era" devices.

Yes it is. There are many open source apps on the App Store, and always have been.

Where did you get the idea that OSS was "not allowed" to run on iOS? Oh, right, Slashdot! And they're always right, right?

Here are just a few: http://maniacdev.com/2010/06/35-open-source-iphone-app-store-apps-updated-with-10-new-apps/

But hey, don't let anything as silly as "facts" get in the way of a good Apple bash.

The iOS App Store is compatible with the GPLv2 and several other open source style licences, and contains a fair amount of software distributed under them.

Here's a short list (with links to source code and to iTunes store)

http://maniacdev.com/2010/06/35-open-source-iphone-app-store-apps-updated-with-10-new-apps/

The FSF can moan as much as it likes - the "disappointment" that Apple complied with their request to remove Gnu Go rather than change their licensing terms at that time was amusing. What did they expect Apple to do when they demanded it be taken down because the licence was being violated?!

FSF: Remove Gnu Go! The GPL is incompatible with your store!
Apple: ok, done.
FSF: Aww you removed it rather than change the licence!
Apple: You said remove it, so we did.
FSF: Apple hates freedom! They aren't doing what we are demanding that they do!

They fixed it in later iterations of the App Store terms though. Apple itself has no aversion to Open Source as a concept - it makes use of and contributes heavily to many open source projects, including several that it started itself and released into the wild. It's just been a tricky integration with the walled ecosystem of the App Store. It's never going to be GPLv3 compatible, but that doesn't mean it's not deliberately hostile to open source.

Not sure about the Mac App Store, but the iOS App Store is GPLv2 compatible - they changed the terms after the first round of "submit GPL app to store than demand they change the licence because they're infringing" that has cropped up a couple of times.

http://maniacdev.com/2010/06/35-open-source-iphone-app-store-apps-updated-with-10-new-apps/ gives a list of open source apps on the iOS version of the store (with links to source code). I don't see that the Mac App Store would be any different.