Apple: The Modern Day Standard Oil

I came across this article discussing how today, Apple removed an app called Airfoil Speakers Touch, which has been in the app store for over 3 years. The app allowed users to share and stream audio in a quick and easy manner. While some speculate that the removal of the app is because of a lack of compliance, others believe that Apple removed the app because they plan on coming out with their own version in iOS 6. I would be surprised if the former were the case…(the apps been out for 3 years). Yes they came out with a new version a month ago, but it doesn’t seem to add up. There were not any significant changes in version 3 of Airfoil Speakers Touch. So, for the sake of argument, let’s assume that the latter of the two scenarios is true and that Apple plans to release it’s own technology and does not want any competition. If this is the case, it is not only disheartening, but it is also imprudent. Apple was founded under a different set of morals, and their products have always mirrored these morals. Now Apple is acting in a completely undemocratic manner…dictatorship? Monopoly (not technically)? The fact that Apple can whimsically do away with any app without just reason makes you kind of wonder if they are turning into the big brother from their 1984 commercial. Remember, the one that the individualist hero brought down with a single throw of her hammer. Also makes me think of the drawing of Standard Oil personified as an octopus grabbing onto all of its small competitors. Is that what Apple is doing? Are they trying to create a monopoly in certain sectors so as to turn over greater profits? Is Apple the Standard Oil of our era? Either way, it is a bit scary.