"Being an open platform is what made PC so successful today,"...
It is also why windows is so full of completely useless c$%£ software and the majority of users have no idea what programs they need / want.

"You can't prohibit others from producing the same thing you are on a platform used by the public" - WHere on earth did you get that idea from? Regardless, your wrong and yes you can.

As a windows developer. I am beginning to love Apple more and more.

Apple IS NOT banning music-related applications. They are just not letting third-party applications and/or plugin's work with the iTunes application on the iPhone. amazon, eMusic or whomever is free to code up an application that downloads and/or plays music on it's own.

The heading is misleading, from the article all we know is that Apple is banning developers from "access to any iTunes functionality". What does this actually mean? No access to the speaker? No API for quicktime? No access to the file system? 

There is no information here, will Apple let developers mess with iTunes, No. But does this mean you cannot build a music download service? A music player? Who knows.

Gotta love the wannabe lawyers and socialists... It is if the Apple iPhone is a monopoly and it is the only option in town, it might be considered an issue. You don't have to make your product compatible with everything in the world (unless you live in the EU)

Please define the 'illegality' and stop posting drivel. Also apply your logic to other consumer products.... 

Last I checked, the iPhone is not a monopoly, it is a product produced by Apple and they are free (to a fairly wide extent) to make it as they like - welcome to the free world... you don't like it, buy another phone with the capability you desire.

(That being said I'm sure the EU will feel the need to investigate as the MS money spigot might eventually dry out and Apple is a US company with lots of cash)

Applsobludylootly! Does 112 have the number of Eurofed?

This would make his actions not only illegal by constraint of trade, but also anal as in controlling his tight anus.

You can't prohibit others from producing the same thing you are on a platform used by the public. Steve's going to hit his balls busted over that one, just as assuredly as you are reading this.

This is why Apple will never gain a noteworthy share of the OS market, they are in a position to dominate thanks to Vista but they are too much of a closed platform to allow it to happen. Being an open platform is what made PC so successful today, why Apple continuous to lock down and restrict everything when the opportunity for growth is right in front of them is beyond me.