
Undoubtedly, you've heard that Apple has released their long-awaited tablet. Dubbed the "iPad", it's gotten mixed reviews and reactions all over the web, often regarding it's design, it's OS, and even it's hardware. More importantly, to me is that it's a completely closed system. This is a big slap in the face. It's a huge sign by Apple and Steve Jobs telling us one clear thing: THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF LISTENING TO DEVELOPERS AND CONTENT PRODUCERS BY OPENING UP THEIR DEVELOPMENT ECOSYSTEM.
Now, I can understand that they would want tight control over their iPhone. They're spurring an industry that was once stale and boring and made it exciting and innovative. And as Alex Payne (Platform Lead at Twitter) points out, this isn't uncommon in the mobile space anyways. But, the iPad is not a phone. The iPad is a computer! They're trying to take hold of the next generation of computing devices and, undoubtedly, lock them down. That means that anyone that wants to develop for the iPad will have to get the pass from Apple.
Now, I wouldn't mind this if Apple had a "Don't be evil" mentality. But, they obviously don't. Let's take a look at some of the decisions they've made recently with the iPhone...
1. Apple rejected the Google Voice app (and also the Google Latitude app) citing that "it appears to alter the iPhone’s distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone’s core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface". We all know why they did this: so that they wouldn't step on the toes their network carriers and partners.
Cost for this decision: User's don't get to use an extremely useful Google Voice service natively on the phone. Let's also not overlook the chances that this has happened to other equally useful apps that we just never heard about (for example, Opera Mini).
2. Apple STILL refuses to put Flash on their mobile devices! We have suspicions for why they did this: Erica Naone of MIT's Technology Review suggests (and I agree) that it is because they want to save the sanctity of their App Store. If Flash gets put on the iPhone, it very well could negatively impact App Store numbers.
Cost for this decision: No Flash apps/games in the App Store, not to mention "70% of games and 75% of video on the web"* will be completely unaccessible. The same goes for Java, and AIR and other similar runtime environments (interestingly enough though, not Silverlight).
3. Apple forces users to sync and buy content with iTunes. Again, we know why they did this. They want to make iTunes _the_ portal for media consumption. Now we can't just drag-and-drop files from my computer to my iPad like we're used to with regular network devices. Instead, I'll have to sync it through iTunes.
Cost for this decision: A poor user-experience in exchange for a very narrow, custom-tailored Apple experience for moving and consuming content.
Yes, I understand that it's a business and Apple wants to keep it's shareholders happy, and Steve has to keep his jet fueled, but the iPad release is yet another statement by Apple, loud and clear, that they're making decisions for the best interests of Apple's shareholders...and NOT for it's users. They're stifling growth and innovation, and we get stuck with the bill. Makes me want to get a Nexus One.
*http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplatform/2010/01/apples_ipad_--_a_broken_link.html







