2 ms·

I think that it demonstrates that we've passed the era where people want "a computer" to do things. People want a smartphones, tablets, notebooks, etc. People

I think that it demonstrates that we've passed the era where people want "a computer" to do things. People want a smartphones, tablets, notebooks, etc. People are not buying these devices for their raw computing power, and they don't want the freedom to access all of it. People want these devices to "work" at their respective tasks. Apple is becoming the sole gatekeeper of apps to their devices. For example, after begrudgingly allowing 22 or so "fart" apps into the app store, they said, "ok, we gave you some fart apps, now you have enough fart apps, we aren't going to allow any more fart apps into the store". If some developer comes up with the best fart app ever, there is no practical way for him to distribute it any more. I see this as an insane amount of power for one company to have. Imagine if MS did the same thing with windows. If they did it 10 years ago, they would have been sued for monopolistic practices, but now that Apple's doing it, and Apple is a viable competitor to MS, can't MS do the same thing, and now we are stuck with basically 2 companies deciding all of the software that can be installed on 99% of the computers that people use? This is a sad future to me.

fpgeek 15y ago
Imagine if MS did the same thing with windows. If Microsoft had done the same thing with Windows, Apple as we know it today wouldn't exist, if they even existed at all. To me, it is mind-blowing that, nevertheless, (most) Apple fans are perfectly happy with the shoe on the other foot.
- ZipCordManiac 15y ago
  As a longtime Mac user (since the 80s) , it pains me to think my next purchase won't be a Macintosh, but I can't ignore the writing on the wall any longer. Apple used to be about freedom and creativity - now they just want to give the best user experience while keeping users safe and maximizing profits. Not an all-together horrible goal, but also not the kind of computer I want to use. I want a computer, not a toaster or a microwave. People have for years called mac kid computers, and I never really agreed with them before now. This kind of development really puts the final nail in the coffin though. These computers are made for people who simply want a locked down boring experience. It's a sign of the times, just look at the TSA.

fpgeek 15y ago

Imagine if MS did the same thing with windows. If Microsoft had done the same thing with Windows, Apple as we know it today wouldn't exist, if they even existed at all. To me, it is mind-blowing that, nevertheless, (most) Apple fans are perfectly happy with the shoe on the other foot.

ZipCordManiac 15y ago
As a longtime Mac user (since the 80s) , it pains me to think my next purchase won't be a Macintosh, but I can't ignore the writing on the wall any longer. Apple used to be about freedom and creativity - now they just want to give the best user experience while keeping users safe and maximizing profits. Not an all-together horrible goal, but also not the kind of computer I want to use. I want a computer, not a toaster or a microwave. People have for years called mac kid computers, and I never really agreed with them before now. This kind of development really puts the final nail in the coffin though. These computers are made for people who simply want a locked down boring experience. It's a sign of the times, just look at the TSA.