5 ms·

> The iPad was meant to de-revolutionize general purpose computing. What does that mean?

nordsieck 3y ago
> What does that mean? I assume it's a complaint about how iOS devices are computing appliances - they're much less open than the PCs that they've come after. From my point of view, I'm extremely glad that they're computing appliances and mostly locked down. The younger people here probably have never had the "pleasure" of removing 568 "helpful" toolbars from IE6. For people who just want to use a few applications, a locked down device is simply superior to a more open computer.
- dataveg 3y ago
  Exactly. For the last few years of my Mother’s life she had her iPad with her everywhere. Given her failing eyesight and arthritis it was the only thing she could use and she loved it. She only did Facebook, scrabble and email but that kept her connected. And I was delighted when she ditched the PC so I no longer had to worry about what virus it was going to get next. I agree with others that much more could be done about accessibility, but picking on what for many is the best solution yet is a bit weird. And anyone who has had to be ‘informal IT’ for a non-tech savvy user will know the appeal of an appliance.
- smoldesu 3y ago
  Again, these ideals don't have to be mutually exclusive. Apple has made successful and secure platforms before with both an App Store and an external packaging system - they just don't bring that philosophy to the iPhone for profitability reasons. Once the EU enforces their external app store policy, you won't be forced into using non-Apple software. You can still continue using your iPhone exactly the way you do today, with the option of letting it do more if you ever wanted. It is truly a win-win situation unless your main source of income is Apple stocks.
  - brookst 3y ago
    ... Or unless you have family members likely to install and pay for scams. I'm ambivalent about the EU regulations. But it'll be interesting to see what happens, and whether consoles are next, and what that means.
    - smoldesu 3y ago
      If you have family members likely to pay for scams, you probably shouldn't give them access to SMS, phone calls or email, for that matter. If they would fall for these threat vectors, then they could already be exploited with a link to Safari or a social engineering scam on speakerphone.
      - brookst 3y ago
        Ah, the old "any imperfect solution is totally useless" position. I already have to educate and then console when they fall for email or SMS scams. Are you really saying that means I have to accept a new vector from scam stores that impersonate the Apple app store and just charge $100 for "Free" apps? This regulation will be good for techies AND good for fraudsters. We don't have to pretend there is no downside.
        smoldesu 3y ago
        > Are you really saying that means I have to accept a new vector from scam stores that impersonate the Apple app store and just charge $100 for "Free" apps? Yes? It's rather important that they know how to distinguish the two. If they aren't honing these skills, what's stopping them from logging into a fake iCloud dialogue on someone's random website, or feeding their SSN to the "IRS" over the phone? It's not like... a naive request. Talk to aging adults about fraud. They will be subjected to it as long as they have some form of individual agency. It sucks, but it's better than telling ourselves fairytales like "it doesn't exist here, though!"
        brookst 3y ago
- realusername 3y ago
  Some equivalent can also happen on iOS, I had to remove some calendar-based notification virus on my sisters phone.
Jtsummers 3y ago
[flagged]

> What does that mean? I assume it's a complaint about how iOS devices are computing appliances - they're much less open than the PCs that they've come after. From my point of view, I'm extremely glad that they're computing appliances and mostly locked down. The younger people here probably have never had the "pleasure" of removing 568 "helpful" toolbars from IE6. For people who just want to use a few applications, a locked down device is simply superior to a more open computer.

dataveg 3y ago
Exactly. For the last few years of my Mother’s life she had her iPad with her everywhere. Given her failing eyesight and arthritis it was the only thing she could use and she loved it. She only did Facebook, scrabble and email but that kept her connected. And I was delighted when she ditched the PC so I no longer had to worry about what virus it was going to get next. I agree with others that much more could be done about accessibility, but picking on what for many is the best solution yet is a bit weird. And anyone who has had to be ‘informal IT’ for a non-tech savvy user will know the appeal of an appliance.
smoldesu 3y ago
Again, these ideals don't have to be mutually exclusive. Apple has made successful and secure platforms before with both an App Store and an external packaging system - they just don't bring that philosophy to the iPhone for profitability reasons. Once the EU enforces their external app store policy, you won't be forced into using non-Apple software. You can still continue using your iPhone exactly the way you do today, with the option of letting it do more if you ever wanted. It is truly a win-win situation unless your main source of income is Apple stocks.
- brookst 3y ago
  ... Or unless you have family members likely to install and pay for scams. I'm ambivalent about the EU regulations. But it'll be interesting to see what happens, and whether consoles are next, and what that means.
  - smoldesu 3y ago
    If you have family members likely to pay for scams, you probably shouldn't give them access to SMS, phone calls or email, for that matter. If they would fall for these threat vectors, then they could already be exploited with a link to Safari or a social engineering scam on speakerphone.
    - brookst 3y ago
      Ah, the old "any imperfect solution is totally useless" position. I already have to educate and then console when they fall for email or SMS scams. Are you really saying that means I have to accept a new vector from scam stores that impersonate the Apple app store and just charge $100 for "Free" apps? This regulation will be good for techies AND good for fraudsters. We don't have to pretend there is no downside.
      - smoldesu 3y ago
        > Are you really saying that means I have to accept a new vector from scam stores that impersonate the Apple app store and just charge $100 for "Free" apps? Yes? It's rather important that they know how to distinguish the two. If they aren't honing these skills, what's stopping them from logging into a fake iCloud dialogue on someone's random website, or feeding their SSN to the "IRS" over the phone? It's not like... a naive request. Talk to aging adults about fraud. They will be subjected to it as long as they have some form of individual agency. It sucks, but it's better than telling ourselves fairytales like "it doesn't exist here, though!"
        brookst 3y ago
realusername 3y ago
Some equivalent can also happen on iOS, I had to remove some calendar-based notification virus on my sisters phone.

Jtsummers 3y ago

[flagged]