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The iPad vs. Microsoft's "Jupiter" Devices

harrymcc writes "A dozen years ago, Microsoft convinced major manufacturers to put Windows CE inside devices that looked like undersized touchscreen personal computers. The platform was code-named 'Jupiter' and shipped as Handheld PC Pro, and it flopped — it turned out that people wanted full-strength notebooks. But in retrospect, it was a clear antecedent of what Apple is doing — much more successfully — with the iPad."

8 of 293 comments (clear)

  1. Re:12 year old product compares to iPad, and couri by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Tell me, why do you even pretend to be unbiased or slowly reveal that you're a Microsoft shill? Just have out with it in one go. It's fun!

    You're that guy in infomercials that sits down in the crowd and says, "Ohhhhh wow, I didn't even realize that but he's right!"

  2. Re:12 year old product compares to iPad, and couri by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    It's actually quite funny to see how similar and in some aspects even better it is (and for a product 12 years ago!). Apart from the obvious (larger price and more weight), the older product actually has 12-16 hour life compared to iPad's 8 hour life. There's also dial-up modem (remember how bulky those were?), more apps, syncing software, and multitasking. 640x480 resolution and touch display.

    Pretty awesome for a product in the 1998, considering it even beats iPad at some aspects. Oh and Windows CE also let you install any app you wanted (there was a lot of freeware apps too), not just something Apple didn't block from AppStore or where you have to pay for every app you want, no matter how simple task it does. And you also could program your own apps to it.

    But what comes to current generation tablets, I'm waiting to see what happens with Courier. The two touch-screen booklike sure is something a tablet should look like. I mean, you're supposed to hold these with your hands and on top you, while laying on sofa or bed. It's a lot more natural to hold them like a book, either for browsing the internet while having a game or IM window on the other screen or just to read an ebook. The non-book feel of tablets has turn me off. I have a bad feeling they will want to go the Apple route and have only App Store-approved apps like with Windows Mobile 7, but I still hope for the best. The ability to have what applications you want or code your own is a really importantant one.

    Microsoft shill. Yawn.

  3. Re:Apple is Evil by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Exactly, I also submitted a story about it today.

    They ban every other programming language and tool than their own. Before some flash bashing comes in, note that its about Novell and every other cross-compiler too. Apple is the most closed and evil manufacturer there is, beating both MS and Google.

    Unlike Microsoft, neither Google nor Apple are convicted monopolists. Hence they are not as "evil". Try toning down the hyperbole in your posts and constructing a logical argument if you want to be taken seriously.

    And stop shilling for Microsoft - the economy isn't that bad - you can get a better job.

  4. Re:Apple is Evil by sopssa · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Sure they aren't, but it's not a good route they're taking along with all the lawsuits they're sending out everywhere in the world. Isn't marketing and advertisement something all slashdotters hate? So why are there so many apple fanbois here?

    (btw your point would had been good enough without the direct attack too)

  5. Re:Apple is Evil by geekoid · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    Also evil, LG..for not letting em run my own applications on my micorwave.

    It's a fucking appliance, get over it.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  6. Re:Apple is Evil by sopssa · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    You bring this same reason to every iPad story.. Do you understand the difference between a computer and microwave?

    And yes, before anyone brings in the "but it's meant for appliance" story, there is no reason why Apple needs to restrict you so much (other than their revenue, mind you).

    They have the built-in capability do so, microwaves don't.

  7. Re:12 year old product compares to iPad, and couri by Golias · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Yeah, how does the battery hold up playing h.264 video on the "Jupiter" pad?

    Oh yeah, that's right, it can't do it.

    So one of the big selling features of the iPad... can't be done with that gizmo.

    Okay, what does WiFi broadband surfing do to battery perfor... Oh.

    Fine, how about when you turn on 3G for cell conne... Oh.

    So, this is basically like comparing the Sony Walkman to the first iPod... Except that the Sony Walkman was an actual market success that people enjoyed owning.

    --

    Information wants to be anthropomorphized.

  8. Re:12 year old product compares to iPad, and couri by dangitman · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Flash content on the web represents a very large and significant portion of contemporary web experience

    No, it doesn't. At least for me. I haven't used Flash on the web for months. Then again, I don't browse shitty websites. I guess if 90% of your web browsing is visiting shitty sites, you might see a lot more Flash.

    --
    ... and then they built the supercollider.