Web development and JavaScript talk from Graham Bradley
Future shock
I wasn't planning on writing a post about the iPad, as I'm not particularly enamoured with the device and, well, everyone else has already written one. However, I've been extremely surprised at the negative reaction from the 'tech community' (I hate the phrase).
I only mention it now because I read Fraser Speirs' fantastic article, Future Shock. Its refreshing to read some common sense on the topic.
On the other hand, there are many comments from those who still just don't get it. Yes, its severely restricted - for the exact reasons given in the article. Yes, its there to sell apps - because the app store has been successful, even revolutionary. The iPad doesn't have a file system, Flash support, a full OS or multi-tasking - simply because the target market doesn't need them. If you can't live without any of those, fine - buy a notebook, netbook, PC, Mac, smartphone, or whatever will fulfill your requirements. But don't condemn the iPad as useless and a failure because you don't identify with the target market.
Similarly, if you have issues with the iPhone OS / App store as a platform - as many developers do - don't just sit and complain, or use that to denounce the iPad as rubbush. There have been many tablet PCs in the past (and there'll be many more to come), but none of them, open-source or otherwise, have sold well. Manufacturers and developers have had two years to catch up with the iPhone, with limited success - the release of the iPad may be a great opportunity for the open source community to demonstrate its strengths.
If you're reading an article about the iPad, you're a geek, not a typical consumer. The reason why there are articles in defence of the iPad isn't because fanboys love it. It's because the negative reaction is coming overwhelmingly from those who think their demographic is still the only one that matters, and don't see that these days, the latest tech toys are consumer electronics.
6 comments
jaquin on
It is interesting that the tantrums and whining sound very similar to that coming from a four year old who is told by his classmate that "you won't be coming to my birthday party". The sense of loss, of helpless rancor is pathetic, in the sense of sadness.
Its understandable given the joy that everyone expects will be had at the party, and the iPad party looks darn sweet from here, 58 days out.
Stefan Monnier on
I find the iPad to be a major step backward, because I care about Freedom, and the iPad is a major move towards a world where everything you do and everything you (think you) own is actually under the control of some far-away company. The fact that the machine is well-designed and pleasant to use is at the core of the problem, because people then fall for it without realizing the future this is constructing.
Graham on
Stefan - I agree with you to some extent. I have an iPhone but don't feel restricted by it; it does the tasks I need brilliantly, and if I want it to do something else, chances are someone has written an app to do it. If not, I don't particularly care - I survived perfectly fine without it before! At the same time, I wouldn't dream of buying an iPad as I know I would feel restricted - I have an expectation that a larger device should be more capable.
However, many of those who purchase an iPad will feel more in control of the device than they would a standard netbook, or a tablet running Windows. Why? It just works (there's a reason Jobs repeated that phrase). Until open-source can truly compete with Apple's ease of use and quality (and it is getting better, but its a long way off), I don't see the non-techie consumer market going any other way.
"If you can't live without any of those, fine - buy ... whatever will fulfill your requirements"
And that's exactly what everyone who isn't an ignorant fanboy (or one of the very few who fit into the niche this thing serves) is going to do. And why the iPad is a failure.
Graham on
I'm going to guess the ignorant, disposable-income lifestyle crowd far outweighs the ignorant fanboy one, but above all, I'm hesitant to call anything a failure before it's even been marketed, let alone released.
Russell on
Spot on, the key word here is 'consumer'. Apple is selling to general consumers and for some reason a lot of techie people seem to have got their knickers in a twist because the iPad does not do/have everything they consider to be important. They don't realise general consumers have completely different needs and expectations when it comes to technology.
The arrogance and elitism shown by many commenters on the internet is staggering, they don't like the iPad then it must by definition be a failure.
jaquin on
It is interesting that the tantrums and whining sound very similar to that coming from a four year old who is told by his classmate that "you won't be coming to my birthday party". The sense of loss, of helpless rancor is pathetic, in the sense of sadness.
Its understandable given the joy that everyone expects will be had at the party, and the iPad party looks darn sweet from here, 58 days out.
Stefan Monnier on
I find the iPad to be a major step backward, because I care about Freedom, and the iPad is a major move towards a world where everything you do and everything you (think you) own is actually under the control of some far-away company. The fact that the machine is well-designed and pleasant to use is at the core of the problem, because people then fall for it without realizing the future this is constructing.
Graham on
Stefan - I agree with you to some extent. I have an iPhone but don't feel restricted by it; it does the tasks I need brilliantly, and if I want it to do something else, chances are someone has written an app to do it. If not, I don't particularly care - I survived perfectly fine without it before! At the same time, I wouldn't dream of buying an iPad as I know I would feel restricted - I have an expectation that a larger device should be more capable.
However, many of those who purchase an iPad will feel more in control of the device than they would a standard netbook, or a tablet running Windows. Why? It just works (there's a reason Jobs repeated that phrase). Until open-source can truly compete with Apple's ease of use and quality (and it is getting better, but its a long way off), I don't see the non-techie consumer market going any other way.
Carl @ HCW on
"If you can't live without any of those, fine - buy ... whatever will fulfill your requirements"
And that's exactly what everyone who isn't an ignorant fanboy (or one of the very few who fit into the niche this thing serves) is going to do. And why the iPad is a failure.
Graham on
I'm going to guess the ignorant, disposable-income lifestyle crowd far outweighs the ignorant fanboy one, but above all, I'm hesitant to call anything a failure before it's even been marketed, let alone released.
Russell on
Spot on, the key word here is 'consumer'. Apple is selling to general consumers and for some reason a lot of techie people seem to have got their knickers in a twist because the iPad does not do/have everything they consider to be important. They don't realise general consumers have completely different needs and expectations when it comes to technology.
The arrogance and elitism shown by many commenters on the internet is staggering, they don't like the iPad then it must by definition be a failure.