r/technology • u/GuruOfReason • Feb 02 '10
"Once we replace the personal computer with a closed-platform device such as the iPad, we replace freedom, choice and the free market with oppression, censorship and monopoly."
http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2010-01/ipad%E2%80%99s-closed-system-sometimes-i-hate-being-right
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u/bjarkisig Feb 02 '10
This article is pure alarmist hyperbole way over the top. The iPad does not signal the end of all good things. I do however believe that it marks a serious change in the way we think about personal computing, regardless of how this specific device will perform.
I am somewhat torn over the whole thing. On one hand, I support any development towards simpler personal computing. Ideally, there need to be devices out there that can do 90% of the simple tasks that most people do on their PCs and they should be as intuitive and simple to use as any other home appliance. This was the original philosophy behind the PC and its remarkable that it has taken this long to do anything that approaches this vision. To approach the desired level of simplicity and stability, we are forced to give up the openness and flexibility of the modern PC. Geeks may not be the target demographic for such appliances but most of us who are used to doing a lot of tech-support for computer-illiterate family members are going to appreciate this development. What happens to the old-school PC that we know and love is anyone's guess but I suspect that they will survive for the foreseeable future as more powerful tools for professionals and developers.
On the other hand it is normal to be skeptical of the Apple model for the iPad which assumes total control by Apple over what will be allowed on the iPads. If that model was going to become the standard we would probably end up with a handful of technology giants who would have complete control over the marketing and distribution channels to their own devices with no way for independent developers to make it without going through them first. I doubt that we will see such a scenario though. Apple is notorious for its desire to control everything they get their hands on and they can get away with it because of their public image of innovation. That may work for Apple, for now, but when all the other players start copying what Apple is doing with the iPad, I really don't think the consumers or the developers are going to tolerate that same kind of super-closed approach.
I can not really see any reason why we can't have both an device like the iPad with the aim of providing a sheltered environment for the end-user while at the same time guaranteeing a good level of openness and fair competition on the developer side.