iHandcuffs

Apple thrives on its cooler-than-thou, anti-establishment image. But behind its studiously crafted un-corporate face lies a corporation that fiercely protects its profits by using closed architectures and shutting out competition. Apple software runs only on Apple hardware, Apple's music players can download music only from Apple's proprietary music service, the music from iTunes plays only on Apple iPods. And its flashy new iPhone, the fashion accessory du jour, continues the corporate practice of locking its users to the Apple cashbox. In a New York Times op-ed Randall Stross dubbed it iHandcuffs -- a catchy term that might stick as media users learn more about the joys of DRM and all the things they can no longer do.