3 ms·

I think we are simply seeing the beginning of a world where you think less about the gadget that you are using and more about what you want to do. Sensibly put

I think we are simply seeing the beginning of a world where you think less about the gadget that you are using and more about what you want to do. Sensibly put, but the TouchPad illustrates the dilemma at play: what if the main thing you "want to do" is use a new app that is only available on iPad? I think that many people are assuming that this will play out like iPhone/Android, where the sheer volume of Android phones incentivised Android developers enough to build a competitive (if not equal) app library, but I think the tablet space will play out much more favorably for Apple. Without the carrier system limiting their market share, Apple's brand name and quality reputation could lead to an even more dominant market position than the iPod enjoyed. An often overlooked related issue: what happens if the iOS UI is the new "normal"? All the other comers are attempting to offer different/improved interfaces, just as iPod competitors tried to differentiate from the clickwheel, but if iOS dominates, the alternatives might find themselves increasingly marginalized in contrast to an increasingly iconic/familiar interface.

enobrev 15y ago
I don't disagree, but I'm concerned that we're just recreating the Mac / Windows / Linux issue, in gadget form. The current form may sway towards Apple, as the previous did Windows, but it's still the same problem. The nice thing about the ipod - or any mp3 player - is that mp3s work anywhere. I can move content from my media center (linux), to my ipod, to my Android phone, wherever I want it. And sure, with these new OSs, content can still be moved around to an extent. But when Apps are the content, we're back to where we started. As a linux user, I have a plethora of software I can use, but if I want photoshop, I have to install Windows or buy a Mac. (dislike WINE, absolutely despise The Gimp). I don't know what the answer is, but I think Android comes closer to what the answer could be. To develop for the iPhone, I HAVE to buy a Mac. To develop for the Android, I can develop on almost any desktop system, and I have a plethora of competing devices to choose from. As a consumer, if there was an app I loved on my last phone or tablet, it will most likely work on my next one. Sure it has to be based on Android, but that's the ONLY requirement. I'm not tied to a device manufacturer, only an OS - one from which applications could potentially be used on other OSs.

enobrev 15y ago

I don't disagree, but I'm concerned that we're just recreating the Mac / Windows / Linux issue, in gadget form. The current form may sway towards Apple, as the previous did Windows, but it's still the same problem. The nice thing about the ipod - or any mp3 player - is that mp3s work anywhere. I can move content from my media center (linux), to my ipod, to my Android phone, wherever I want it. And sure, with these new OSs, content can still be moved around to an extent. But when Apps are the content, we're back to where we started. As a linux user, I have a plethora of software I can use, but if I want photoshop, I have to install Windows or buy a Mac. (dislike WINE, absolutely despise The Gimp). I don't know what the answer is, but I think Android comes closer to what the answer could be. To develop for the iPhone, I HAVE to buy a Mac. To develop for the Android, I can develop on almost any desktop system, and I have a plethora of competing devices to choose from. As a consumer, if there was an app I loved on my last phone or tablet, it will most likely work on my next one. Sure it has to be based on Android, but that's the ONLY requirement. I'm not tied to a device manufacturer, only an OS - one from which applications could potentially be used on other OSs.