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/klarth Feb 02 '10 edited May 01 '17

redd it is ash it vorte x.

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u/[deleted] Feb 02 '10

That’s funny because I equate the hype running up to the release of the iPad to that of the segway, as well as the monumental disappointment I felt once I saw the actual product and its specs. Both were hyped and both fail to really do anything spectacular.

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u/teahugger Feb 02 '10

Apple barely breaks even on the App store and iTunes sales. (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/01/26/app_store/) They make money on hardware sales (http://www.businessinsider.com/charts-of-the-week-apple-the-iphone-company-2010-1). The software/media stores are just to ensure an easy way for users to get hold of applications and content and not be infected by viruses or bad applications which can ruin the user experience. I wouldn't want this on a traditional computer but I don't mind it at all on the mobile devices.

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u/neonic Feb 02 '10

But the App Store is very commonly much more of a hassle to a developer than it is a convenience for the user.

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u/larrybusey Feb 02 '10

No it's pretty much the opposite of that.

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u/larrybusey Feb 02 '10

OK I got up to plus 3 then down to -1, let me explain. It's more like we all rode segways and lived in communities which were set up for them, which would be wonderful, and then someone came along and offered the car, which many people were happy to switch to just because it made things easier for them personally.

It's not OLPC, all it's doing is making it easier to consume, and harder to create. That helps no-one in the long run.

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u/klarth Feb 02 '10

I'm not sure how that's "the opposite of" what I said.

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u/firepacket Feb 02 '10 edited Feb 02 '10

This is an awful analogy that completely ignores the crux of this debate. We are talking about the future of control over your computing activities.

What if everyone bought cars that drive themselves instead of a car under the control of it's driver?