This is a serious question: Why does Apple appear to be OK with HTML5, but not with Flash? There are lots of posts claiming Apple is "afraid" of Flash, because the app store is their cash cow and Flash is a threat to that.
Now, I realize there is a lot more Flash content than HTML5 content, but isn't the basic principle the same? Couldn't I go make just about any game in HTML5 right now and have it work on the iPhone and iPad?
Is it because the source for any HTML5 game is viewable that Apple think "serious" game developers will avoid it?
Or another reason I'm missing?
I think Apple is OK with HTML5 and not Flash because Apple really is afraid of Flash and it's threat to it's market place. HTML5 at the moment is more of a novelty that might mature into something way in the future, but at the moment its not anywhere as useful as Flash. HTML5 can play video but it can't do much else like play games without extra's involved which I doubt Apple would allow. These extra's are plugins like Web3D which to my knowledge aren't on products like the iPad. And even if you could get plugins like Web3d on the iPad, it might not function well (as shown here on what looks to be on a full Mac computer). As you can see in the video, it's slow, and it's Quake 2, and it's running on HTML5, a far cry from the smoother Quake 3 running through Flash/. Flash would give access to free web games, which Apple won't want since by the looks of it as of 2 months ago the top 3 money making apps are games and no company wants to kill its money-maker.
Wow *claps* congraz on finding a single comment that might make it seem like Apple did no wrong... thing is a single user comment doesn't equal fact. The reality is that, yes, this bug effected all smartphones. Problem is, only Apple didn't feel the need to patch it before the information about it went live. That means you have every iPhone that could have been attacked (andwas ). Since this glitch didn't need the user to cause it, many people would have been left in the dark without knowing the problem (my iPhone died, don't know how...). This is the phone's OS's fault since it would execute code it received from the service provider blindly without confirming the actions contained inside. And from as untrusted a source as a randomly sent SMS.
The new attacks, by contrast, can strike a phone without any action on the part of the user and are virtually unpreventable while the phone is powered on, according to Miller and Mulliner's research. And unlike the earlier exploits, Apple has inexplicably left them unpatched
Now this article makes mention of the hack being mentioned on Thursday, 2 days later. As mentioned in the article, Apple had known of this problem for more then a month, Apple didn't feel that it's user security was worth addressing until Aug 1st, 48 hours after it went live.
Now, phones where hacked, Apple could have prevent these issues but didn't. So much for having your freedoms taken away from your devices 'for your safety and security'.
If you want more iPhone issues that very well could have been from that hack, try these since they are all from that 48 time frame and all involve iPhones suddenly not working even though the user didn't do anything (signs of that hack in use, though thats the nature of massive computer problems, user doesn't know what went wrong, they know is just doesn't work anymore):
When tens of thousands of Android phones get 0wned, due to some Flash exploit, for example, and at the same time, hundreds of thousands of iPhones don't get 0wned by any exploit, who do you think will be smiling quietly to himself at all the bad publicity towards Android & Google.
Aside from making divorce illegal, which is horrible, the one thing that consistently makes the rate of divorce go down is to raise the age of marriage.
Without parental consent, it is already 18 in every state in the USA. If you are referring to the laughably low ages with consent in some states, you may have a good idea.
Great, so when this update goes live I get to look forward to titles like 'iPhone can now multi-task, competitors scrambles to do the same.' just like I do with the iPad and reading how companies are now 'just making' tablet PC's, to compete against Apples iPad tablet even though computer makers have been making them for years...
To not show how to have safe sex is pretty much to rely on either teaching the kids nothing and let them learn the hard way, or teach abstinence in the schools. Problem is, abstinence doesn't work. This has been shown many times.
And to not show any safe sex information is worse, as shown in in China where they don't teach much about safe sex and this leads to many unwanted pregnancies. Teens are bombarded with images and messages of sex every day, even in places like the supermarket where the latest issues of magazines like Cosmo, scream sex on their covers for all to see. Then you have ads from companies like American Apparel. These images just play on teenage hormones so teens need to learn this since it's thrown at them so much and so often. And we can already see what happens if we don't.
There is very little barrier to running whatever OS you want to on your Mac. The fact that the "BIOS" allows for this is not different from the fact that the BIOS on any other PC supports booting up Windows, Linux, FreeBSD or Solaris.
A Mac comes with what you need to get it running something other than MacOS.
That's a bit different from needing to hack the device in some way to achieve this (ipod, appletv).
Although once you hack an AppleTV you will see that it too is pretty much just a PC.
The only reason I don't have more Macs running Linux is that the PC market in general caught up and now the price and feature advantages of a mini aren't there anymore. This will happen with tablets too soon enough. Although the ipad will gain a lot more traction by that time when compared to minis.
It's not really accurate to call Apple a computer company anymore...
I feel stating that if the BIOS supports it, then it's a PC isn't right since my PS3 allows (at the moment) the ability to install another OS (Linux). My PS3 doesn't suddenly become a PC just because I was able to introduce a new OS onto it, it's still a gaming console lacking the ability to add/remove hardware from other sources. I feel it's like stating a Sega Dreamcast is a PC because it can run Linux wihtout needing to bypass a security lock (all the orignal DC's didn't have security checks.). Just because people are able to do these things doesn't mean that the device itself becomes a PC or then just about any device that can read code can pretty much be declared a PC since with the desire and will you can get some OS to run on it. A PC is more then just a device that can run an OS, its beyond what something that isn't a PC can emulate, like declaring a AL program like the Sims is real life since everyone there can eat, sleep, play, work, feel emotions, reproduce just like real life. My 2 cents all in all
UI aren't really that hard to use though. Click and touch. Hell I was pretty good using a Macintosh with Apple OS version 1 at 3 and a half years old in 1984. Thats why companies make UI's instead of stuff like DOS. Because they are easy to use.
You cant just buy your own graphics card, more hardware, or even a damn battery for iPhone. You have to buy everything from Apple, from an Apple store, with high Apple prices. This just follows the same lead.
no OS unless it's completely locked down a la iPhone will protect you from user stupidity.
It's not alway user stupidity, just how the system is designed. Even a closed system like the iPhone can be hacked by a third party without access to the computer itself. This exploit effected all smartphones, granted only iPhone's didn't get patched against it until 48 hours after the information about it went public.But it showed that it was possible, even given it's locked down nature.
Linux may be vulnerable too, if your running the Linux version of Adobe Reader which you would have to go out and get on your own. Every version of Linux I have tried has an open source PDF reader that isn't Adobe's. As for the Firefox exploit, FTA it states that the Firefox must be running the addon Foxit and I'm not sure how common that is.
Though I highly agree with you that Linux users shouldn't believe that Linux can't get malware. It's more unlikely of the 3 major OS's (Windows, OSX, Linux), but that doesn't make it impossible.
Re:CmdrTaco drags big brass ones along the ground
on
iPad Review
·
· Score: 1
Your business rant appears to be an argument against businesses ever upgrading anything. While I've certainly come across a lot of businesses that think that way, good ones tend to ask relevant questions like: "What's the return on investment for this project", "What are the risks of continuing our current approach", "How can technology better support our business processes" etc. For some, the answer may well be that an iPad solution is the best option for them.
You questions are the good ones answered that a good business would more likely have answers like I did I feel.
Whats the return on investment for this project? In the case of the iPad and it's closed nature, not much of a return since not only is most of your software going to be needed to be in house developed, but most future usage will be as well. Business software is mostly third party outsourced for a reason, the cost doesn't validate the returns. And I don't think a company that makes niche software will bother making one just for the iPad and send it through the approval process to possibly have it rejected for unknown reasons. And if it is approved, any future fixes will takes time again for Apple to re-approve of it.
What are the risks of continuing our current approach? Since again, most business software being outsourced, your looking at less costs in building, maintaining, upgrading and updated of your software. Not to mention the software is more likely to better evolve then if made in house. A business needs to be able to handle costs and not allow them to skyrocket through the roof with pricey new gadgets that have yet to prove they are truly usable in a business setting, not to mention how will it effect their contracts with other business partners and their continued business, support and effort into your companies well being and future together.
How can technology better support our business processes? Awkwardly phrased question, I'm guessing you meant 'How can this technology better support our business processes?' In this case, I don't see much of of a help to a business since it's still mostly custom in house built software. The lack of basic adaptability in the form of USB components and other basic options are other reasons to come to mind.
Other questions that need to be asked by a business is 'Is this device compatible with our current systems?' In the iPads case, not much. In order to use it with another system, it must go through iTunes which is getting larger and more sluggish, not to mention when iTunes needs to be updated it offers many other programs to be install by default in the updater which most users will just click 'Yes' by default causing yet more programs to be insalled. An IT nightmare. iTunes is also not compatible with Linux so no using it with a Linux server to sync or other functions. In the case of it being a tablet you would need to consider its usability to enter information which has been shown to be a lack of due to the lack of hand writing recognition, a major step backwards. While it could be possible to add a keyboard, it kills the portability to have to lug a keyboard then get a table or other surface found/cleared to take some notes as pushing on screen buttons isn't nearly as fast as hand recognition software. 'What is the security of this device with our business information and documents?' Since this is running the iPhone OS, its not secure at all. A normal tablet pc that most businesses that could use something like this run a form of Windows that has much more secure encryption or have USB ports for holding private documents on a thumb drive. And something like this can get lost/stole so these must be considered. In the end, I don't see the iPad being a good idea for a business compared to what is currently on the market and/or currently in use of a business.
Re:CmdrTaco drags big brass ones along the ground
on
iPad Review
·
· Score: 1
I call bullshit on the 'grandparents won't like it' argument. My Grandma has an iPhone instead of a computer. She uses it for email, internet (3G - she doesn't have a fixed internet connection), photos and SMS.
For the elderly, she's got amazing eyesight. Everyone I know over 50 hates things like that due to the small screen being a pain to read. Whats her secret?
And having to quit whatever they are doing to use a second program...
I see this argument a lot from people who have clearly never used an iPhone.
I have used an iPhone but thats not my complaint. Thats the complaint I hear from iPhone users, along with hating to have to quit whatever they are doing to respond to a message or lose whatever they are doing when someone calls them. This is one of the major reason jailbreaking an iPhone is so popular, to have access to multiple programs running.
$100 or so dollars per unit
The iPhone Developer Enterprise Program may help out with those crippling costs. I doubt iPads would see any significant adoption in clerical work environments, but areas like warehousing, stock management, transport, mobile sales - everywhere that mobility and ease of use are important - may see some activity. Despite Apple's almost total disinterest in the sector.
That program doesn't work unless you have 500+ employee's, so that kills most small businesses. Any large enough business already has a system in place with specialty software that they would have to either drop their contract with whomever does their current software, or just re-write their own in house program. Either option means they have to stop using everything they already have and works well, ignoring their invested cost into the system and it's devices, turn around and spend minimally $500 per unit, hope they either have trained people to build for the iPhone OS or outsource it or start training someone just to use something like the iPad. Thats a waste of time, money, effort just to form a business around something like an iPad. More so when a business can happily keep using their real tablets that they already have, using their software that they know already works and know that it completely integrates with their current system.
This is a really bad argument on many levels. This is right there with comparing either Microsoft or Apple to Google, and declaring Google is the obvious better company since they have grown even faster then either of those 2 in a shorter time frame. Thing is where their money is coming from. Microsoft makes most of it's money through Windows sales and XBox360 sales (I think the XBox is now profitable). Apple sells small devices and online music. Sure these 2 companies overlap in some aspects. Microsoft sells Windows, Apple sells OSX, but they only sold I think like 17 million macs to the 40+ million iPods, who knows how many iPhones, ect... Most of their money comes from device sales, not their computer sales. Apple sells iPod, Microsoft sells Zune, but the Zune doesn't sell anywhere near as well as the iPod and doesn't make much money for Microsoft. Apple sells the iPhone, Microsoft sells Windows Mobile OS. but the Windows Mobile doesn't sell anywhere near as well. These companies can't be easily compared anymore since they sell different products in different ways with different results.
The problem is, Apple only supports their hardware on average of 5 years. 5 years ago they dropped the PPC chips for the Intel ones and now they are mandatory, 5 years before that they had the hardware limits to make sure the older Macs weren't being used. As even you mentioned, home users upgrade their hardware every 4 to 8 years, which tends to out-date the Apple's 5 year policy. This kind of treatment isn't acceptable in any other business. Imagine if it was done in every business. TV's needing to be replaced every 5 years maximum or can't watch any new shows. Cd and radio players, DVD players, cars, trucks. These aren't acceptable, nor is it in a PC. So why is it for a Mac?
Re:CmdrTaco drags big brass ones along the ground
on
iPad Review
·
· Score: 2, Insightful
Well, no. But books can't give you instructional tips in audio and video on every step of what you're cooking.
Neither can the iPad since those videos online are done in Flash.
Re:It's not the same size, first of all
on
iPad Review
·
· Score: 1
You forget, unlike the iPhone that you hold in both hands comfortably to type and reach every key with both hands, the iPad will need you to pretty much always type 1 handed while the other is holding the iPad up and supporting against each press you make. Or they can chop up the keyboard to make 2 mini keyboard halves in each corner so you can type like it's your iPhone.
Re:CmdrTaco drags big brass ones along the ground
on
iPad Review
·
· Score: 1, Insightful
Who is the target audience?
I doubt Grandma/Grandpa would want it. Not because it lacks a camera, but because of the normal aspects that it lacks. I've had to help elderly with computer things and the most common issue I've noticed is they don't like work arounds. Doesn't support flash, so that kills things like Farmville on their Facebook which has over 75 million users. And it's not the only Facebook game that runs on Flash. Telling them they can't play these games that they enjoy is going to be a killer against the iPad for them since they don't use the internet much, And having to quit whatever they are doing to use a second program isn't going to cut it either since they do that all the time on their computer, why can't the iPad? This isn't supposed to be a simple iPhone so the lack of multiple apps isn't going to go unnoticed. The weight will also be an issue since its meant to be held with one hand and the other hand is to click things, and arthritis is not nice to things like that (why most elderly read a book with 2 hands, helps with the books weight and their arthritis)
As for business, the weight might get to you. The lack of a functional way of entering letters will be a much bigger issue. A business would use this like a notepad and it's just not designed to be used like a notepad. Also custom software will be a huge let down since many businesses use either custom or niche software, and trying to convince the boss to pony up another $100 or so dollars per unit just to make them 'developer' models and load in house built software isn't going to be a good option either (20 units = $2000, that would be a small business when what they already have works great as it is without spending thousands+ more for units and that extra cost). As mentioned about the lack of keyboard, I doubt a writer would want to use this since typing would be a pain to write more then 2 pages when they could be using a netbook that has a USB port to hold onto a backup copy of their current revision.
Maybe kids want it? Again the lack of flash makes this a unlikely option since I see the bosses kid at work sometimes and when he goes online, he doesn't go to Facebook or Slashdot.org that doesn't use flash. All the kids want to do is go to places like bored.com and play Flash games. Kids what fun things to do at the moment and impulsively, not sit there and think ahead 'oh, maybe I should load some movies to watch in a few hours from now.'. So I doubt kids would want this either. And unlike Dad's iPhone that Daddy already bought games for, I don't see them being able to go on a shopping spree with Daddies credit card and Daddy might not have the time to look at 'this cool, neat game' little Timmy wants at the moment.
As for '"fancy graphic designers" don't always use Flash', what else are they using? HTML5? Doubtful since unless it's a video like on YouTube, HTML5 just doesn't cut it. This has been noticed with http://www.quakelive.com/#home (needing Flash) can play Quake 3 on a browser without tons of loss and massive hardware requirements, where as Quake 2 running on HTML5 has lower graphics (needing less power) ran pretty slow when more then a few objects where on screen (watch the video when 2 or more enemies are on screen and see that slow down). These don't happen on Flash, and so people will want to program these games for Flash because it will work better and faster. And doesn't need as many special addons (like WebGL which I doubt is on the iPad). This was fine on a iPhone since it was a mobile smartphone and no smartphone runs Flash. The iPad is a tablet PC and is the only one that can't use Flash, it will be noticed and this is going to been seen and used as a PC, not a smartphone.
Re:CmdrTaco drags big brass ones along the ground
on
iPad Review
·
· Score: 1
Books tend to weight in the 1-2 kilo range. Most kitchen cooking bookstands are more than sturdy enough for an iPad.
Books don't have glare issues like a screen though.
Wait a damn second here. You are against warning people about tsunamis because some might use it as a chance for looting? Personally, if there is a giant wall of watery death heading my way, I'd like to know about it. If some moron decides to stay behind to grab my stuff, I'll the aforementioned wall of watery death deal with him, wash away all evidence, including the moron himself.
No, I'm worried about warning people about a tsunami and people doing crazy things. Like murder. The water will wash away the bodies. Not just looting. Thats just one thing. Like I said, people act crazy when mass danger is about to happen. Look at all the looting, murder and other crimes that happened after Katrina when they evidence wasn't as likely to be washed away. Now see what happens when they know it will be.
My concern is with something like this is not everyone will see the warning light as a reason to leave. It would get many people out, but not all. Some would stay just for the sake of looting and something like this would only help. Telling people they need to leave with a big group behind you when your telling is one thing. Doing it alone (or unmanned) is worse. Think of all the looting that happened during the Hurricane Katrina. Now think about what people will due when they are left alone and have knowledge something bad is happening. A tsunami would literally 'wash' away the evidence. And looting might not be the only thing that could happen. People act crazy when mass danger is about to happen. The idea is a good one, but not everyone will use good ideas in positive ways.
Slashdot Mirror
This is a serious question: Why does Apple appear to be OK with HTML5, but not with Flash? There are lots of posts claiming Apple is "afraid" of Flash, because the app store is their cash cow and Flash is a threat to that.
Now, I realize there is a lot more Flash content than HTML5 content, but isn't the basic principle the same? Couldn't I go make just about any game in HTML5 right now and have it work on the iPhone and iPad?
Is it because the source for any HTML5 game is viewable that Apple think "serious" game developers will avoid it?
Or another reason I'm missing?
I think Apple is OK with HTML5 and not Flash because Apple really is afraid of Flash and it's threat to it's market place. HTML5 at the moment is more of a novelty that might mature into something way in the future, but at the moment its not anywhere as useful as Flash. HTML5 can play video but it can't do much else like play games without extra's involved which I doubt Apple would allow. These extra's are plugins like Web3D which to my knowledge aren't on products like the iPad. And even if you could get plugins like Web3d on the iPad, it might not function well (as shown here on what looks to be on a full Mac computer). As you can see in the video, it's slow, and it's Quake 2, and it's running on HTML5, a far cry from the smoother Quake 3 running through Flash/. Flash would give access to free web games, which Apple won't want since by the looks of it as of 2 months ago the top 3 money making apps are games and no company wants to kill its money-maker.
Wow *claps* congraz on finding a single comment that might make it seem like Apple did no wrong... thing is a single user comment doesn't equal fact. The reality is that, yes, this bug effected all smartphones. Problem is, only Apple didn't feel the need to patch it before the information about it went live. That means you have every iPhone that could have been attacked (and was ). Since this glitch didn't need the user to cause it, many people would have been left in the dark without knowing the problem (my iPhone died, don't know how...). This is the phone's OS's fault since it would execute code it received from the service provider blindly without confirming the actions contained inside. And from as untrusted a source as a randomly sent SMS.
From this article http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/28/hackers-iphone-apple-technology-security-hackers.html :
The new attacks, by contrast, can strike a phone without any action on the part of the user and are virtually unpreventable while the phone is powered on, according to Miller and Mulliner's research. And unlike the earlier exploits, Apple has inexplicably left them unpatched
Now this article makes mention of the hack being mentioned on Thursday, 2 days later. As mentioned in the article, Apple had known of this problem for more then a month, Apple didn't feel that it's user security was worth addressing until Aug 1st, 48 hours after it went live.
Now, phones where hacked, Apple could have prevent these issues but didn't. So much for having your freedoms taken away from your devices 'for your safety and security'.
If you want more iPhone issues that very well could have been from that hack, try these since they are all from that 48 time frame and all involve iPhones suddenly not working even though the user didn't do anything (signs of that hack in use, though thats the nature of massive computer problems, user doesn't know what went wrong, they know is just doesn't work anymore):
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2101313&tstart=5310
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2100562&tstart=5325
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2099898&tstart=5340
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2097626&tstart=5370
Just a thought.
When tens of thousands of Android phones get 0wned, due to some Flash exploit, for example, and at the same time, hundreds of thousands of iPhones don't get 0wned by any exploit, who do you think will be smiling quietly to himself at all the bad publicity towards Android & Google.
Just a thought. Wen tens of thousands of iPhones get 0wned by something as simple as a SMS exploit, and at the same time, hundreds of thousands of other smartphones don't get 0wned by any exploit, who do you think... oh, wait...
Without parental consent, it is already 18 in every state in the USA. If you are referring to the laughably low ages with consent in some states, you may have a good idea.
It's not 18 in every state:
Its 16 to get married in Georgia if the woman is pregnant.
Its 21 to get married in Mississippi
Its 19 to get married in Nebraska
Yup, the UK is fucked.
Not only that, but 2 hours in the Commons? That must have been one hell of a mass debate.
Great, so when this update goes live I get to look forward to titles like 'iPhone can now multi-task, competitors scrambles to do the same.' just like I do with the iPad and reading how companies are now 'just making' tablet PC's, to compete against Apples iPad tablet even though computer makers have been making them for years...
To not show how to have safe sex is pretty much to rely on either teaching the kids nothing and let them learn the hard way, or teach abstinence in the schools. Problem is, abstinence doesn't work. This has been shown many times.
And to not show any safe sex information is worse, as shown in in China where they don't teach much about safe sex and this leads to many unwanted pregnancies. Teens are bombarded with images and messages of sex every day, even in places like the supermarket where the latest issues of magazines like Cosmo, scream sex on their covers for all to see. Then you have ads from companies like American Apparel. These images just play on teenage hormones so teens need to learn this since it's thrown at them so much and so often. And we can already see what happens if we don't.
Nonsense.
There is very little barrier to running whatever OS you want to on your Mac. The fact that the "BIOS" allows for this is not different from the fact that the BIOS on any other PC supports booting up Windows, Linux, FreeBSD or Solaris.
A Mac comes with what you need to get it running something other than MacOS.
That's a bit different from needing to hack the device in some way to achieve this (ipod, appletv).
Although once you hack an AppleTV you will see that it too is pretty much just a PC.
The only reason I don't have more Macs running Linux is that the PC market in general caught up and now the price and feature advantages of a mini aren't there anymore. This will happen with tablets too soon enough. Although the ipad will gain a lot more traction by that time when compared to minis.
It's not really accurate to call Apple a computer company anymore...
I feel stating that if the BIOS supports it, then it's a PC isn't right since my PS3 allows (at the moment) the ability to install another OS (Linux). My PS3 doesn't suddenly become a PC just because I was able to introduce a new OS onto it, it's still a gaming console lacking the ability to add/remove hardware from other sources. I feel it's like stating a Sega Dreamcast is a PC because it can run Linux wihtout needing to bypass a security lock (all the orignal DC's didn't have security checks.). Just because people are able to do these things doesn't mean that the device itself becomes a PC or then just about any device that can read code can pretty much be declared a PC since with the desire and will you can get some OS to run on it. A PC is more then just a device that can run an OS, its beyond what something that isn't a PC can emulate, like declaring a AL program like the Sims is real life since everyone there can eat, sleep, play, work, feel emotions, reproduce just like real life. My 2 cents all in all
Slap the label on your clone box. You're set!
And watch your hackentosh break when it gets update patches from Apple.
UI aren't really that hard to use though. Click and touch. Hell I was pretty good using a Macintosh with Apple OS version 1 at 3 and a half years old in 1984. Thats why companies make UI's instead of stuff like DOS. Because they are easy to use.
You cant just buy your own graphics card, more hardware, or even a damn battery for iPhone. You have to buy everything from Apple, from an Apple store, with high Apple prices. This just follows the same lead.
Buying RAM for a Mac: http://www.newerram.com/
Buying a new graphics card for a Mac (Mac edition of graphics cards): http://www.nextag.com/mac-graphics-card/compare-html
Pretty much everything you need to upgrade the hardware of a Mac: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/site-map/
These aren't Apple sites, but you can upgrade your Mac with their parts. Just because its harder to do, doesn't mean it can't be done.
no OS unless it's completely locked down a la iPhone will protect you from user stupidity.
It's not alway user stupidity, just how the system is designed. Even a closed system like the iPhone can be hacked by a third party without access to the computer itself. This exploit effected all smartphones, granted only iPhone's didn't get patched against it until 48 hours after the information about it went public.But it showed that it was possible, even given it's locked down nature.
Linux may be vulnerable too, if your running the Linux version of Adobe Reader which you would have to go out and get on your own. Every version of Linux I have tried has an open source PDF reader that isn't Adobe's. As for the Firefox exploit, FTA it states that the Firefox must be running the addon Foxit and I'm not sure how common that is.
Though I highly agree with you that Linux users shouldn't believe that Linux can't get malware. It's more unlikely of the 3 major OS's (Windows, OSX, Linux), but that doesn't make it impossible.
Your business rant appears to be an argument against businesses ever upgrading anything. While I've certainly come across a lot of businesses that think that way, good ones tend to ask relevant questions like: "What's the return on investment for this project", "What are the risks of continuing our current approach", "How can technology better support our business processes" etc. For some, the answer may well be that an iPad solution is the best option for them.
You questions are the good ones answered that a good business would more likely have answers like I did I feel.
Whats the return on investment for this project? In the case of the iPad and it's closed nature, not much of a return since not only is most of your software going to be needed to be in house developed, but most future usage will be as well. Business software is mostly third party outsourced for a reason, the cost doesn't validate the returns. And I don't think a company that makes niche software will bother making one just for the iPad and send it through the approval process to possibly have it rejected for unknown reasons. And if it is approved, any future fixes will takes time again for Apple to re-approve of it.
What are the risks of continuing our current approach? Since again, most business software being outsourced, your looking at less costs in building, maintaining, upgrading and updated of your software. Not to mention the software is more likely to better evolve then if made in house. A business needs to be able to handle costs and not allow them to skyrocket through the roof with pricey new gadgets that have yet to prove they are truly usable in a business setting, not to mention how will it effect their contracts with other business partners and their continued business, support and effort into your companies well being and future together.
How can technology better support our business processes? Awkwardly phrased question, I'm guessing you meant 'How can this technology better support our business processes?' In this case, I don't see much of of a help to a business since it's still mostly custom in house built software. The lack of basic adaptability in the form of USB components and other basic options are other reasons to come to mind.
Other questions that need to be asked by a business is 'Is this device compatible with our current systems?' In the iPads case, not much. In order to use it with another system, it must go through iTunes which is getting larger and more sluggish, not to mention when iTunes needs to be updated it offers many other programs to be install by default in the updater which most users will just click 'Yes' by default causing yet more programs to be insalled. An IT nightmare. iTunes is also not compatible with Linux so no using it with a Linux server to sync or other functions. In the case of it being a tablet you would need to consider its usability to enter information which has been shown to be a lack of due to the lack of hand writing recognition, a major step backwards. While it could be possible to add a keyboard, it kills the portability to have to lug a keyboard then get a table or other surface found/cleared to take some notes as pushing on screen buttons isn't nearly as fast as hand recognition software. 'What is the security of this device with our business information and documents?' Since this is running the iPhone OS, its not secure at all. A normal tablet pc that most businesses that could use something like this run a form of Windows that has much more secure encryption or have USB ports for holding private documents on a thumb drive. And something like this can get lost/stole so these must be considered. In the end, I don't see the iPad being a good idea for a business compared to what is currently on the market and/or currently in use of a business.
I call bullshit on the 'grandparents won't like it' argument. My Grandma has an iPhone instead of a computer. She uses it for email, internet (3G - she doesn't have a fixed internet connection), photos and SMS.
For the elderly, she's got amazing eyesight. Everyone I know over 50 hates things like that due to the small screen being a pain to read. Whats her secret?
I see this argument a lot from people who have clearly never used an iPhone.
I have used an iPhone but thats not my complaint. Thats the complaint I hear from iPhone users, along with hating to have to quit whatever they are doing to respond to a message or lose whatever they are doing when someone calls them. This is one of the major reason jailbreaking an iPhone is so popular, to have access to multiple programs running.
The iPhone Developer Enterprise Program may help out with those crippling costs. I doubt iPads would see any significant adoption in clerical work environments, but areas like warehousing, stock management, transport, mobile sales - everywhere that mobility and ease of use are important - may see some activity. Despite Apple's almost total disinterest in the sector.
That program doesn't work unless you have 500+ employee's, so that kills most small businesses. Any large enough business already has a system in place with specialty software that they would have to either drop their contract with whomever does their current software, or just re-write their own in house program. Either option means they have to stop using everything they already have and works well, ignoring their invested cost into the system and it's devices, turn around and spend minimally $500 per unit, hope they either have trained people to build for the iPhone OS or outsource it or start training someone just to use something like the iPad. Thats a waste of time, money, effort just to form a business around something like an iPad. More so when a business can happily keep using their real tablets that they already have, using their software that they know already works and know that it completely integrates with their current system.
Like this review of The Secret?
This is a really bad argument on many levels. This is right there with comparing either Microsoft or Apple to Google, and declaring Google is the obvious better company since they have grown even faster then either of those 2 in a shorter time frame. Thing is where their money is coming from. Microsoft makes most of it's money through Windows sales and XBox360 sales (I think the XBox is now profitable). Apple sells small devices and online music. Sure these 2 companies overlap in some aspects. Microsoft sells Windows, Apple sells OSX, but they only sold I think like 17 million macs to the 40+ million iPods, who knows how many iPhones, ect... Most of their money comes from device sales, not their computer sales. Apple sells iPod, Microsoft sells Zune, but the Zune doesn't sell anywhere near as well as the iPod and doesn't make much money for Microsoft. Apple sells the iPhone, Microsoft sells Windows Mobile OS. but the Windows Mobile doesn't sell anywhere near as well. These companies can't be easily compared anymore since they sell different products in different ways with different results.
The problem is, Apple only supports their hardware on average of 5 years. 5 years ago they dropped the PPC chips for the Intel ones and now they are mandatory, 5 years before that they had the hardware limits to make sure the older Macs weren't being used. As even you mentioned, home users upgrade their hardware every 4 to 8 years, which tends to out-date the Apple's 5 year policy. This kind of treatment isn't acceptable in any other business. Imagine if it was done in every business. TV's needing to be replaced every 5 years maximum or can't watch any new shows. Cd and radio players, DVD players, cars, trucks. These aren't acceptable, nor is it in a PC. So why is it for a Mac?
Well, no. But books can't give you instructional tips in audio and video on every step of what you're cooking.
Neither can the iPad since those videos online are done in Flash.
You forget, unlike the iPhone that you hold in both hands comfortably to type and reach every key with both hands, the iPad will need you to pretty much always type 1 handed while the other is holding the iPad up and supporting against each press you make. Or they can chop up the keyboard to make 2 mini keyboard halves in each corner so you can type like it's your iPhone.
Who is the target audience?
I doubt Grandma/Grandpa would want it. Not because it lacks a camera, but because of the normal aspects that it lacks. I've had to help elderly with computer things and the most common issue I've noticed is they don't like work arounds. Doesn't support flash, so that kills things like Farmville on their Facebook which has over 75 million users. And it's not the only Facebook game that runs on Flash. Telling them they can't play these games that they enjoy is going to be a killer against the iPad for them since they don't use the internet much, And having to quit whatever they are doing to use a second program isn't going to cut it either since they do that all the time on their computer, why can't the iPad? This isn't supposed to be a simple iPhone so the lack of multiple apps isn't going to go unnoticed. The weight will also be an issue since its meant to be held with one hand and the other hand is to click things, and arthritis is not nice to things like that (why most elderly read a book with 2 hands, helps with the books weight and their arthritis)
As for business, the weight might get to you. The lack of a functional way of entering letters will be a much bigger issue. A business would use this like a notepad and it's just not designed to be used like a notepad. Also custom software will be a huge let down since many businesses use either custom or niche software, and trying to convince the boss to pony up another $100 or so dollars per unit just to make them 'developer' models and load in house built software isn't going to be a good option either (20 units = $2000, that would be a small business when what they already have works great as it is without spending thousands+ more for units and that extra cost). As mentioned about the lack of keyboard, I doubt a writer would want to use this since typing would be a pain to write more then 2 pages when they could be using a netbook that has a USB port to hold onto a backup copy of their current revision.
Maybe kids want it? Again the lack of flash makes this a unlikely option since I see the bosses kid at work sometimes and when he goes online, he doesn't go to Facebook or Slashdot.org that doesn't use flash. All the kids want to do is go to places like bored.com and play Flash games. Kids what fun things to do at the moment and impulsively, not sit there and think ahead 'oh, maybe I should load some movies to watch in a few hours from now.'. So I doubt kids would want this either. And unlike Dad's iPhone that Daddy already bought games for, I don't see them being able to go on a shopping spree with Daddies credit card and Daddy might not have the time to look at 'this cool, neat game' little Timmy wants at the moment.
As for '"fancy graphic designers" don't always use Flash', what else are they using? HTML5? Doubtful since unless it's a video like on YouTube, HTML5 just doesn't cut it. This has been noticed with http://www.quakelive.com/#home (needing Flash) can play Quake 3 on a browser without tons of loss and massive hardware requirements, where as Quake 2 running on HTML5 has lower graphics (needing less power) ran pretty slow when more then a few objects where on screen (watch the video when 2 or more enemies are on screen and see that slow down). These don't happen on Flash, and so people will want to program these games for Flash because it will work better and faster. And doesn't need as many special addons (like WebGL which I doubt is on the iPad). This was fine on a iPhone since it was a mobile smartphone and no smartphone runs Flash. The iPad is a tablet PC and is the only one that can't use Flash, it will be noticed and this is going to been seen and used as a PC, not a smartphone.
Books tend to weight in the 1-2 kilo range. Most kitchen cooking bookstands are more than sturdy enough for an iPad.
Books don't have glare issues like a screen though.
Wait a damn second here. You are against warning people about tsunamis because some might use it as a chance for looting? Personally, if there is a giant wall of watery death heading my way, I'd like to know about it. If some moron decides to stay behind to grab my stuff, I'll the aforementioned wall of watery death deal with him, wash away all evidence, including the moron himself.
No, I'm worried about warning people about a tsunami and people doing crazy things. Like murder. The water will wash away the bodies. Not just looting. Thats just one thing. Like I said, people act crazy when mass danger is about to happen. Look at all the looting, murder and other crimes that happened after Katrina when they evidence wasn't as likely to be washed away. Now see what happens when they know it will be.
My concern is with something like this is not everyone will see the warning light as a reason to leave. It would get many people out, but not all. Some would stay just for the sake of looting and something like this would only help. Telling people they need to leave with a big group behind you when your telling is one thing. Doing it alone (or unmanned) is worse. Think of all the looting that happened during the Hurricane Katrina. Now think about what people will due when they are left alone and have knowledge something bad is happening. A tsunami would literally 'wash' away the evidence. And looting might not be the only thing that could happen. People act crazy when mass danger is about to happen. The idea is a good one, but not everyone will use good ideas in positive ways.
That's a testament to their marketing powers, not to their products.
A nod towards the humble Pet Rock.