Yesterday, Apple revealed their much-anticipated tablet device. As most of you probably know the announcement itself was quite controversial. It is still an impressive device, but it is virtually a larger form-factor iPhone. Mind you I would still love to get my hands on one.
Lets start with the hardware. From the demo videos and the keynote we can see the device is really responsive and the 9.7-inch multitouch display looks gorgeous. According to Steve, the iPad has 10 hours of battery life and will be available from $US499. The device lacks a USB-port (although apparently there is an accessory), slots for removable media (Why no SD Support??) and a camera. The latter in my opinion is a big disappointment. This device could of been perfect for users at home talking to their friends all the way through to business users using the iPad for realtime video conferencing. However the real problem with this device lies with Apple’s trend towards creating a closed and restrictive computing platform.
Why is it a problem that Apple has complete control over the platform? Because Apple already has a history of preventing competitive applications from being distributed on the iPhone/iPod Touch. A great example of this is Adobe Flash. Mind you as Apple further develops or improves the functionality of existing applications, there is nothing stopping them from restricting or blocking third party applications.
Whilst Apple has not officially specified whether or not the iPad supports flash, a popular image has been travelling around internet taken by an Engadget Blogger.
Was this website viewed intentionally by Steve in the keynote? The answer is yes, but was this website used to demonstrate that the iPad will not support flash? I am unsure even though the missing plugin icon makes us certain. Without Adobe Flash support on the device, users will not be able to access the full range of content available on the web. Adobe Flash accounts for over 70% of games available on the web and 75% of online video. However Apple has ignorantly restricted their platform (through the App Store approval process and the absence of core software APIs) to make Flash on the iPad impossible.
Apple has always argued that a fantastic user experience of both their hardware and software is paramount. I can definitely see how its in their best interests to create this type of platform. They get to sell the hardware, develop the guidelines and the core software, restrict competitors and benefit from the 70/30 revenue split with developers. The end result is complete control of their platform. Maybe they can argue there is no room for Flash because it affects the stability and battery life of the device? I’m certain that this is not the case and that their motives are quite different. I believe its about suppressing the competition.
I’ve been an Apple user now since mid-2007 after jumping ship when Vista arrived. I believe as the web is moving more and more towards open technologies, Apple is severely damaging itself by creating this restrictive ecosystem. It affects developers, users and ultimately the progression of the web itself.
