3 ms·

> Consoles are single-purpose entertainment devices How do we determine what is single-purpose and what isn't? Consoles have been used as everything from media

> Consoles are single-purpose entertainment devices How do we determine what is single-purpose and what isn't? Consoles have been used as everything from media servers (such as XBMC-turned-Kodi) to supercomputers (such as the Condor Cluster for the US Air Force). I'm certain there are more non-standard uses I haven't heard of, too. There are dozens of choices for open smartphones in the market, just like there are multiple choices for open gaming solutions. However, only one choice runs iOS - just like only one choice runs the Playstation's OS. I whole-heartedly agree that iPhones should be more open, I'm just curious why you're so quick to dismiss easier access to all consoles.

Barrin92 6y ago
>How do we determine what is single-purpose and what isn't? how about, "throwing all other computing devices away, can you get by with only using the one left?". If yes, it's propably a general purpose device. Smartphones have become/are rapidly becoming the primary, often only computer people use to interact with the world, in the developing world in particular. It's a travesty that an entire generation will grow up without even the chance to have an open computation platform. Just as an anecdote about how much damage this does in my opinion. When I was teaching first semester CS students a few years ago, an overwhelming majority already did not know how to boot from a USB stick or install an operating system on a machine.
- threeseed 6y ago
  I'm confused at what point Apple reached 100% market share and there are now no open alternatives for people to choose from. Or why Apple's approach to mobile extends to PCs in general. Even though they have made crystal clear they will never have a completely locked down Mac.
  - Barrin92 6y ago
    It's not just a critique of Apple but of both Google/Android and Apple, although Apple is the worse offender here. Why I think 'mobile' isn't an accuse I lined out in the post, because it's quickly becoming the primary general purpose computer of pretty much every person. Apple already sells ten times more phones than laptops per year.
  - Apocryphon 6y ago
    Apple’s very own marketing material acts as if their platform is indispensable and life-saving: https://www.macrumors.com/2018/12/06/apple-watch-real-stories-videos/ https://www.macrumors.com/2018/12/06/apple-watch-real-storie... Obviously PR speak is PR speak, but it goes to show that the narrative of Apple as an essential product is out there, and even courted by the company. The government usually has a hand in regulating such products.

Barrin92 6y ago

>How do we determine what is single-purpose and what isn't? how about, "throwing all other computing devices away, can you get by with only using the one left?". If yes, it's propably a general purpose device. Smartphones have become/are rapidly becoming the primary, often only computer people use to interact with the world, in the developing world in particular. It's a travesty that an entire generation will grow up without even the chance to have an open computation platform. Just as an anecdote about how much damage this does in my opinion. When I was teaching first semester CS students a few years ago, an overwhelming majority already did not know how to boot from a USB stick or install an operating system on a machine.

threeseed 6y ago
I'm confused at what point Apple reached 100% market share and there are now no open alternatives for people to choose from. Or why Apple's approach to mobile extends to PCs in general. Even though they have made crystal clear they will never have a completely locked down Mac.
- Barrin92 6y ago
  It's not just a critique of Apple but of both Google/Android and Apple, although Apple is the worse offender here. Why I think 'mobile' isn't an accuse I lined out in the post, because it's quickly becoming the primary general purpose computer of pretty much every person. Apple already sells ten times more phones than laptops per year.
- Apocryphon 6y ago
  Apple’s very own marketing material acts as if their platform is indispensable and life-saving: https://www.macrumors.com/2018/12/06/apple-watch-real-stories-videos/ https://www.macrumors.com/2018/12/06/apple-watch-real-storie... Obviously PR speak is PR speak, but it goes to show that the narrative of Apple as an essential product is out there, and even courted by the company. The government usually has a hand in regulating such products.