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Apple iPad ‘will stifle new technologies’
Does the iPad herald a new era in personal computing? Far from it, says its critics
The launch of the Apple iPad has been welcomed by many as the start of a new era in personal computing. But others fear it could stifle innovation in the industry and play into the hands of those who want to control the internet.
The problem, according to the iPad's critics, is that the hotly-anticipated new toy, launched by Steve Jobs last week, is a 'tethered device' and has more in common with the iPhone than a laptop computer. Owners will be able to use only Apple approved applications, and the device will only run one at a time.
Critics say that gives Apple too much control and will stifle the development of new technologies because the company will be able to block them or develop their own versions of them, undermining the creativity of the industry.
The 'tethered device' model is in stark contrast to the one advocated by supporters of the open-internet, who argue that computer manufacturers should have little or no say in the software that their customers run once they have purchased the machine.
Brewster Kahle, director of the online library the Internet Archive, told the Guardian that the development was "chilling". He said: "[Apple] really control the horizontal and the vertical by going with the iPhone platform... I think it's discouraging. The future is controlled, and it's controlled by Apple."
Groups like the Free Software Foundation (FSF), which staged a protest at the iPad launch, say tethered devices give large corporations too much say over how people use technology. It claims that if the restrictions imposed on the iPad had existed in the early years of personal computing the results would have been "dismally totalitarian".
Peter Brown, executive director of FSF, said: "Human rights and democracy protesters can have the technology they use turned against them by the corporations who supply the products and services they rely on. Your computer should be yours to control. By imposing such restrictions on users, Steve Jobs is building a legacy that endangers our freedom for his profits." ·
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Apple should be free to market its products just like everyone else. This includes not telling us anything that might argue against their product. They have created a rich environment on their devices that permits innovation if you follow their rules which seem to limit innovation to what favors Apple. I don't like to be in the position of investing in innovation that favors one company, no matter how noble or clever they may be. What Apple is doing to create an IT world of their own is like going to Epcot Center at Disney World and then saying we would never want to visit the countries that have exhibits there. For me, they need to open up more so I don't feel like I'll be missing out if I go with them. The iPhone advantage is waning and Google (and perhaps a resurgent Microsoft) keeps the innovation doors open much more. The result isn't pretty always, but neither is democracy.
What a load of old tosh. iPad for all its awesomeness is only one device; this article is written as though we'll all be forced to use it forever more. And @Paul Hirst: "where do you put this thing...on trains you can't lay it flat or the passenger in front will be able to see it." - gosh, whatever will we do? How about hold it in your hand angled to face you, like we've been doing with books and magazines for years? It's a new form factor - the whole point is it is made to feel good in your hand like an iPhone but have a large comfy screen like a netbook.
Why has nobody picked up on the obvious? Is Jobs just trying to see how far can you push people's gameboy addictions? And where do you put this thing? It won't go in your pocket, and on trains you can't lay it flat or the passenger in front will be able to see it. People like the stealth that a laptop gives them for the same price as this gadget, not to mention multitasking. I predict iPad is Apple's biggest turkey yet, a flop which will go in the record books.
....Stifle new technologies? What nonsense! They know not what they say. On the contrary, Apple iPad will spur new technologies and products that will eclipse iPad. Those who doubt this assertion, check out concepts for Google Pad running Chrome OS:
http://www.techcrunch.com/2010/02/01/google-tablet-photos/
Google Pad is expected to give iPad a run for its money. It will be more powerful than iPad since it will run on Google's new (exclusively designed for the Web) Operating System called Chrome (projected availability: later this year). And Chrome is open source unlike Apple's "dismal totalitarian" iPhone OS that powers the iPad. Technically inclined among you would attest that the Chrome OS will be far more powerful in technical sophistication and capabilities than the iPhone OS. It will all the squeeze necessary to make some sour Apple cider..... No wonder Steve Jobs is busy lambasting Google for invading its space and running to Microsoft for comfort.
Hence, any talk of the future being "controlled" by Apple is (as you Brits say) TOSH!
It took me approximately 25 minutes to "Jailbreak" my iPhone. I have no specialist knowledge and was able to identify, download and use the necessary software for free. It now runs on whatever sim I put into it, ans can run any software I choose. Why would the iPad be any different?
As it happens, because of Apple's business model for apps, competition is fierce, the quality high and the choice and value excellent- haven't wanted anything not on the apps store anyway!
Tablet devices have been on the market for quite a while... these have been overpriced and largely old technology dressed up. Apples iPad will shake this market up no end...
Technology and its future will always be controlled by the big corporations, take a good look at Microsoft, Intel, AMD etc., the mobile phone market which is price dominated and complicated by the major providers.
There are many out there waging war on this and they will continue to do so with the products these corporations provide, the clever will turn the tables as they say...
All of this is perfectly true and could impose a real danger, as the writer suggests. What if; however, Apple got it right and provided what the user really wants? I can see an example of this in iTunes. Without arguing the virtues or vices of this software, it does undoubtedly provide an excellent solution for the vast majority of users. What we don't want is something so complicated and convoluted that you have to be a computer expert first, a user later. Microsoft Windows represents one such obstactle-imposing environment.