Slashdot Mirror
Apple and Google to Blog the World
Zrop writes "AppleInsider is reporting that Apple has been working on OS-level integration of an geographical mapping technology as an integral part of Leopard, its next-generation OS. The technology is rumoured to employ GPS functionality. Will GPS chips make Apple iPod phones and MacBooks location aware? Users would be able to post information at a location, hanging in the air, ready to be browsed by people passing by. Imagine getting highly relevant messages, without even pressing a button, simply because you are in the vicinity and your preferences match the content of the post."
Why is it that when apple does this kind of thing it's somehow "cool", but when Microsoft does it, it's somehow "evil"?
Because when Apple does it, it becomes a well documented, open API. Microsoft? Not so much.
I don't remember everybody freaking out. That would surely make the world news, and lead to civil chaos, if the entire population of the planet started "freaking out." I don't remember anybody freaking out, actually. A few people raised some privacy concerns, yes. Not the same thing as everybody freaking out.
Now "They" will know where you are, but since it's Apple, slashdot puts a nice happy spin on it.Actually, the majority of the posts so far are talking about ways this could be abused, and a sprinkling of "Apple is teh suck" posts. I haven't yet seen anyone on slashdot say it is "cool" or put a happy spin on it.
... and then they built the supercollider.
"Sorry, your content is not authorized for consumption in the country which you currently are in"
---- Booth was a patriot ----
Cars with OnStar and every cell phone made in the past 5 years (if not longer) already have the ability to be tracked. If someone especially desired it, your computer could also be located (to a lesser degree of accuracy).
If "the man" wanted to know where you were at any given time, it's not like it was hard before. The serial number 'scare' (if you can really call it that) was different because it reported information unrelated to any communication purpose. With wireless devices of any kind, you're already broadcasting your location by using it (even just having it turned on), so it's really a non-issue. Why not provide the option of doing something with it?
The difference between Microsoft and just about anyone else (including Apple) is that Microsoft would turn it on by default without any real security concerns, and it would "integrate" with a soldering iron. Take Media Center for instance--if you choose "satellite" in the setup, you CAN'T continue if it doesn't detect an MCE-compatible IR receiver (even if you don't want to use it). You also can't cheat by calling your connection "cable" and then choosing a satellite lineup. Microsoft is too smart for that. With this, it's like texting to a bulletin board (the cork-and-pin variety). You can put something up there that might be helpful to someone else--but you aren't obligated to post anything, nor are you obligated to read any of it.
Reading the article (btw, why was it linked to twice in the summary?), it seems to me to just be an opinion piece based on rumors and a single patent application. The patent application itself sounds more like it describes the rumored 'iPhone,' which would make GPS functionality not that out of place seeing as many cellphones on the market now employ GPS technology. As far as the OS-level integration, it seems more like adding GPS and/or map support to the OS is what Apple is interested in. More like iMap, with an API for other 3rd party apps to access it. There is nothing anywhere that there are going to be GPS chips in the computers or ipods. There are just people speculating. It seems to me that it's more likely that it will have support for 3rd party GPS devices. I know that the default on slashdot is tinfoil-ism, but sometimes you have to be a little more realistic than getting your panties in a twist over wild speculation.
Because Apple doesn't have an OS monopoly.
Since when did Apple sign illegal OEM deals that forced OEMs to not ship competing products to prevent them from entering the market?
Next.
"Sufferin' succotash."
There is a long, boring answer to this which involves Microsoft's past and present sales and PR tactics. This is the answer most slashdotters would give.
A more interesting answer is, 'because their software sucks'. If Microsoft's software was better, they would have some fans, and on social websites like this one there wouldn't be such a strong prevailing dislike of them.
Obviously apple also engages in evil business ethics. But because they have fans, they can get away with it a bit more. Microsoft has, as far as I can tell, no fans. I am a long-time PC owners, and I don't give a toss about the monopolistic and unethical behaviour of either company, but I couldn't look you in the eye and say that Microsoft ships really good products. This is why I don't spring to their defense if some Mac or Linux fan calls them 'evil'.
ADC was only DVI, power, and USB together in one plug. Anyone wanting to use a standard DVI monitor only needed an adapter. Mini-DVI is just a another example of the same pins in a different connector to save space. Of all the real examples of standards, those two are the best you could come up with?