HN user
Hardware abstraction is like the Holy Grail in the test and measurement world. Things like the IVI have been implemented but have not gained traction. Once you have a feature that is slightly different than other instruments what do you do? Least common denominator in feature set has been the solution so far. Not saying a way for OS-level abstractions isn't bad, but there are niche areas in computing that have tried and failed at solving this problem.
You have to remember what the carriers were like in 2006/2007 timeframe. Cingular/AT&T was the open carrier at the time. You would use any GSM phone. More importantly, they allowed you to use any feature on your phone. Conceding to Apple control of the apps on your phone was a very radical idea at the time. Typically carriers dictated what application would be on the phone. On Verizon, you had to use their phones (there was some lipservice around this time about allowing any fully compatible phone on its network). In addition, included features such as bluetooth PC syncing, which had zero impact on the network, was disabled on my Nokia candybar. It was simply too much of a leap for Verizon to allow a phone as open as the iPhone (2007 terms, remember) on its network.
There seems to be CR fans everywhere now they are taking it to Apple. But I'm a long time car guy and CR isn't well regarded in those circles. For autos, they have been well behind the curve in recommending models just because of the maker. Toyota is the most glaring example they only recently with the bad press have stopped rubber stamping recommendations for them. With all of the data they have, they had to know about the engine sludge problems or minivan doors but kept recommending all of their models. Likewise, they placed cars such as the latest Chevy Malibu in the same iPhone recommendation purgatory - due to name only. They overweight recommendations based on past performance.
I admit to looking at CR if I need a dishwasher. However, if 37signals would make that same post in a car site it would be laughed at.
Also, none of my friends are as attractive as the models used on the Facetime page. Stop faking my friends. Apple, please fix this.
I see that Rietveld is only a part of Mondrian or at least described as "not the full Mondrian tool". Googlers, what are the differences between the two. Wonder why the full Mondrian tool couldn't be released.