Comments on: Is The iPad A Disappointment? Depends When You Sold Your AOL Stock.

By: Tom Nolan

Tom Nolan — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 08:14:19 +0000

Wow…seems to be some damn good points from both sides if you ask me! In reality everyone just has to see how it goes…it may change the world (in a way) it may change very little. As always you have two choices; like it, buy one..don’t like, don’t buy. I do think despite all the killing commerce etc points, Apple deserve a pat on the back though because at least there innovating and launching new products rather than watching what sticks and making your own version.

By: Splint

Splint — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:39:10 +0000

I was curious about the iPad and having some disposable income, I purchased one. I have an HP Mini that hasn't been touched since the iPad came into the house 3 months ago. Everyone that comes over loves curling up no the couch with it. It doesn't get hot and the battery stands up to all day use.

Now we use the main PC for games like Sims3 or to type school papers or play music for everyone but it's rare to see the iPad sitting alone.

I may not understand it but people love it.

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 08:52:01 +0000

The part you have wrong is that AOL didn’t fail because of Google, it failed because of broadband and the internet. AOL started before the internet was easy to get on and before the browsers were very mature. Their closed environment was easy to use, reliable, and full of information. Once IE and Netscape browsers became solid, website content grew up, and broadband made it easy to connect via DSL or cable modems, AOL’s main differentiators weren’t unique anymore. Since the iPad is allowing internet access and apps are created by the public (something AOL didn’t allow), it will still be able to expand and morph with the changes in technology and attitudes.

By: Hannah

Hannah — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 22:00:52 +0000

I can’t figure out what I’d really use the iPad for. It’s too big for me to effectively use anywhere but at home and I can’t type on it without my hands in an awkward position. I’ll stick with my iPhone.

But I disagree with John’s assessment about everything going to voice. That may be fine in the privacy of your home, but can you imagine an office where all applications worked by voice. Every cubicle farm office would sound like a call center; only those with private offices would escape. I’ve already been stuck sitting next to people who read aloud or say what they are typing aloud… it’s really annoying.

By: blank

blank — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:32:32 +0000

I think John wants to look inside everyone's iPad and see everything. And leverage that info into profit.

The device, as currently enabled, specifically precludes that. Partially from Apple wanting some things kept 'private'. Which John is wanting to negotiate away.

THAT is why John is angry.

Also, I think John has fallen too far under the spell of some MS generated BS about the future. (Which includes his fetish for 'voice')

By: kevin

kevin — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 16:55:46 +0000

First, the iPad includes the Web (sans Flash which doesn't yet exist in a usable form on a mobile device). And the Web is open.

So why does every corner of the iPad need to be as open as the Web? Apple has made it clear that there are TWO things going on - the Web, and its curated, as you put it, AppWorld. So why does AppWorld need to be like the Web? Why can't it be different and co-exist and be an alternative for those who want one?

You already have the Web. Are you (or is the open Web) threatened by a bit of curated control? If the open Web is so great, will it not in the end win out in the marketplace over the curated control world IF it is really the ONLY GOOD WAY?

Are you not strangling innovation by pushing to make everything fit inside the Web? Maybe the Web really is not the be-all, end-all of technology.

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By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:32:41 +0000

John,

Amazing clarity of thought you possess. It is clear that you "get it". Kudos to you. We feel that the ipad is broken from the get go. It is not an enabler, rather, quite the opposite. It forces you to its will and design and that's just plain wrong. If they had done it right, they would have sold 15 million by now instead of just 2!

By: Neal O

Neal O — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 19:41:09 +0000

John, I don't get your point. I'm happy with my Windows 7 for Office, my OS X for everything desktop and my iPad for media and potability. My iPad is purchased to be the instant on machine that always works and never gets slower, just like my iPhone; something that in my experience Windows and MAC OS will never be.

I don't find the iPad as a closed ecosystem, just a reliable consumer device that does a bit of computing when I need a bit of computing.

Accept the iPad is not for you. However some of us just want an instant on device that just works!

By: kk

kk — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:39:07 +0000

while i disagree with the conclusions of the author, i want to clarify what i think people are misunderstanding regarding "linking" of applications:

desktop applications are indeed linked at least indirectly through the file system... MS Word can write a file into the file system with a particular path and another application (preview, adobe pdf viewer, papers, etc), can find the file load it up. in this way, you can build your own workflow of applications that does what you need.

On the ipad, sure, you have some limited linking, an app can load a browser, or a video. but i can't link two arbitrary (non-apple) applications together.

apple has started to provide "open in ..." capabilities that support some interaction, but each app's file system is sandboxed so you end up with multiple copies of files for each application.

This means you can't build your own workflows, and that's what ( I think ) the author is talking about.

hopefully, Apple is listening to the app developers and will begin to provide more app-"linking" capabilities.... i think they will.