The iPad is a Giant iPhone
A Vision of Restriction
More worrying than the stupidity represented by the iPad, is what it reveals about Apple’s technological vision. Due to their limited hardware capabilities, monofunctional origins, and geographically fragmented evolution, cellphones are among the most restrictive platforms in all of information technology. The iPhone is a cellphone, so most people came to accept its restrictions as somewhat par for the course.
Up to this point, most other platforms were different. Desktops, servers, laptops, tablets, netbooks — we all expected a greater degree of flexibility from those platforms. Suddenly, here comes Apple with its iPad, trying to convince people that tablets should be as restrictive as cellphones despite their increased hardware capabilities.
Imposing the restrictions of smaller hardware onto larger hardware sets a very, very dangerous precedent. Apple just launched a tablet that’s completely locked into its iTunes store, its iTunes app store, and its new iBooks store — just like the smaller iPhone before it. Next thing you know, you’ll be working at an Apple desktop that’s completely locked into those same stores — just like the smaller iPad before it.
Before you know it, the proprietary lock-ins of the cellphone industry will infect every major computing platform. You’ll be living in an iWorld where every computing device runs only Apple-approved apps and plays only Apple-approved media.
Don’t think you’ll be safe just because you don’t buy Apple products. Envious of the iWorld’s seamless profit machine, Apple’s competitors will follow suit. Just look at how Nokia brutally killed its thriving developer community in response to the iTunes app store.
A Rare Moment of Clarity
Fortunately, judging from reactions throughout the tech blogosphere and Twittersphere, people are quick to understand the ridiculousness of this oversized iPhone. Tech pundits are calling it everything from the iFail to the iDon’tCare to the MaxiPad. Apparently, Steve Jobs’ reality distortion field can only obscure so much absurdity before it finally breaks down.
Let’s hope this rare moment of clarity continues until the iPad hits the streets at the end of March. Then maybe, just maybe, Apple will give up its insane push to impose a locked-in cellphone OS on ever-larger devices.
(Photo via G.O.B.)
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Im confused, why comparing the two, ipad and iphone only by size??
Is it really by size or something about the newer hardware and newer technology?
The author failed to compare the two in technological leaps but simply judged the two by size..I wonder whats the size of his brain hehe..
If the iPad’s hardware is so much better than the iPhone’s, then why is Apple running the iPhone OS on it? Why impose the limitations of a smartphone OS on a tablet?
Even the CEO of AT&T agrees: people don’t want to get a second data plan for the iPad.
That’s saying a lot, considering that A&T is the exclusive 3G provider for the iPad.
It’s like.. The hype over the iPad was built by the media and your common internet user. Things lead to other things. Rumors swell up and turn into an idealization of this “awesome” device that can play HD video, sports a customs iPhone OS and many other magical stuff. But in my mind folks at Apple wasn’t developing anything at all.
The iPad we’ve been presented could have been developed in weeks.. Without so much of a hint of any of the things that it was rumored to have. This release could have been awesome but the utter disappointment entangled with the cheezy introduction Job’s had during the keynote made me decide not to buy this gadget.
Fortunately for Apple, fantards will actually buy the product even though it’s obviously overpriced. Months later these guys will be screwed over ’cause Apple’s gonna release another one with all new features. Several of those could have been incorporated into the device in the first place. But it won’t totally be awesome. By the third release maybe. By then individuals would have bought the device three times already.
Lesson here? Wait for the second or third gen version to come out. There are even alternatives out there that offer more for the same price, or less. At its name won’t sound like a woman’s hygiene product.. And you get more for your money.
You’re absolutely right on all counts, fr0stbyte. Until the iPad has the capabilities of an actual tablet computer and not a giant voiceless smartphone, it’s simply overpriced and underpowered.
iPad is so stupid, or as i call, iShit. Even it isn’t a competitor to normal tablets!!
If the iPad really is Apple’s “most advanced technology ever”, then the company is at a technological dead end. All they’re really pushing now is further and further lock-in.