The iPhone is probably the single most beautiful phone I have ever seen.  However, under all that beauty lie some real issues.

I share many of the opinions “johns” posted on the Free Software Foundation blog.

So to save you some time, and so I can write about each reason he lists, here are the 5 reasons he lists after the jump.

iPhone completely blocks free software. Developers must pay a tax to Apple, who becomes the sole authority over what can and can’t be on everyone’s phones.

This is true.  You must pay Apple for the privilege of having your app in the store.  Apple, in setting it up this way, has limited what can and can’t be on your phone.  They have the final say in what can and can’t go on the store, because they control it.  Apple wants a cut from every application you install on the iPhone.  Apple isn’t doing this to protect the iPhone from malware, they are doing it to make money.  They just see dollar signs from iPhone applications.

iPhone endorses and supports Digital Restrictions Management (DRM) technology.

This isn’t news, but it’s definitely true.  Apple supports DRM through it’s FairPlay DRM on iTunes music, videos, movies and applications.   If you don’t like DRM, then the iPhone isn’t for you.

iPhone exposes your whereabouts and provides ways for others to track you without your knowledge.

Now this is one item Ihave a small dispute with this guy on.  I say this because EVERY cellphone can be used to track you.  It doesn’t matter whether it’s the iPhone or a Neo FreeRunner.  This is what you get when you want to be able to be found by the ambulance when you use your cellphone to call 911.

iPhone won’t play patent- and DRM-free formats like Ogg Vorbis and Theora.

Most people won’t care, but this is an issue.  MP3 is encumbered by patents.  AAC is playable on most Open Operating Systems and the iPhone, but Ogg Vorbis isn’t.  You will be able you play your oggs on the iPhone.

iPhone is not the only option. There are better alternatives on the horizon that respect your freedom, don’t spy on you, play free media formats, and let you use free software — like the FreeRunner.

The iPhone isn’t the only option; there are Windows Mobile Phones, Palm OS phones and Symbian phones - and almost all of them can do what the iPhone can do.  They may not look as cool as the iPhone, but they will still be able to do all of the things the iPhone can.  There’s also the OpenMoko FreeRunner.  Sure it’s not as elegant as the iPhone.  However, you can freely install any application you want on it without having to pay the Apple tax.

More importantly, the iPhone isn’t just a phone.  It’s a computer.  I want the right to install what I see fit on the iPhone or any smartphone I purchase.  I would also like to be able to write my own apps if I want to.  It doesn’t mean I will, I just want the right to do it.  With the restrictions Apple has put on the iPhone, it also has the potential to limit innovation on the platform.  If Apple sees an application that will change the iPhone in a way they don’t want it changed, they won’t let the application in the store and if that doesn’t happen, then the only recourse consumers will have is to jailbreak the phone, which is technically a DMCA violation.  That’s something you don’t have to do on the FreeRunner.

Let me just say one final thing: I am not against developers making money.  I am not against applications being sold.  I just think that everyone deserves the right to use their phone, computer, printer or any device in any way they see fit.  The DRM issues on both the media and the applications are simply unacceptable to me.

So, enjoy your iPhone!  You guys will have one more iPhone available because I don’t want one!