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Tablets

paulgraham.com

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Re: Tablets

#131

Post by chc »

dnsworks wrote: post #31
alanthonyc wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Doesn't the fact that the iPad is itself a closed...errr, integrated...system counter your argument? I'm all for open standards, API's and community cooperation of course. I just don't think that Apple is necessarily the antithesis. The fundamental difference between Apple's position today to Microsoft's monoculture of the previous decade lies in their motivations. Apple wants to make great stuff. Microsoft wanted to…

Right, Apple's shareholders are out there saying "I'm so glad we're making great stuff". Apple wants to make money, no matter how much fandom we bestow upon Apple for having a great design aesthetic, Apple is a corporation whose aim is to make money. Apple is a golden boy because they aren't Microsoft, and if we keep comparing the two, we never give Apple an honest shake.

Apple's aim is to make money in the same way that your aim is to reproduce before you die. It's technically true — that's what all lifeforms here for — but it obliterates a lot of important detail about you as a person.

Re: Tablets

#132

Post by jf »

Vivtek wrote: post #21

What blows my mind is that I might have been able to see this coming in the 80's - but Buckminster Fuller saw it coming in 19 fricking 38 . That man was incredible.

You would probably like reading "Empires of Light" - one of the interesting insights I gained from that book was how important Westinghouse was to Tesla's success.

Re: Tablets

#133

Post by PanMan »

roadnottaken wrote: post #27

Tablets are obviously great, but does anyone think they'll really replace cameras or GPSes? It seems to me that tablets will cut the bottom out of these markets (those with casual interest in photography or GPS or computing won't need to buy a dedicated device) but they'll never approach the quality of an SLR or a dedicated GPS. Or am I just being short-sighted?

The iPhone is already the biggest camera in number of pics on Flickr. I think the camera ( non slr) switch has largely already happened..

Re: Tablets

#134

Post by zmmmmm »

alanthonyc wrote: post #110
lukeschlather wrote: post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Microsoft's control was superficial, and that's how they like it. They don't want to control what you put on your computer, they just want you to pay them the same reasonable price. Apple on the other hand clearly does care what you put on your iOS device, and in ways that go beyond a desire for good UX to a desire to control what is acceptable for society: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/apple-finds-christianity-offe…

Here's the difference: You don't have to use any Apple device if you don't want to. That choice is yours. I spent many years working in places where you had to use Microsoft products. There was no choice. Microsoft didn't care what you put on your machine because all they care about is making money selling you stuff.

> I spent many years working in places where you had to use Microsoft products. There was no choice.

That's ridiculous - you had choice - you could have chosen to work elsewhere. Can't get the same pay, conditions, etc? That's not the point.

These days there are plenty of jobs where you'll have to use a Mac because Jobs has dictated that you can only do iOS development on a (recent) Mac.

Re: Tablets

#135

Post by siglesias »

nostromo wrote: post #93
rdl wrote: post #24

What's the YC funded startup which is a replacement for keys? As in "We funded one startup that's replacing keys."

My phone's battery died last time I was flying home from a business trip because I was listening to music in-flight. I already freak out a bit when my phone dies -- I can't imagine being locked out and not being able to call anyone.

Hm, we might have a market here for extending power cords that live in a compartment next to your doorbell.

Re: Tablets

#136

Post by RoyG »

kenjackson wrote: post #130

Tablet is the wrong term. In fact I fear the use of it becoming the term to use as I think it immediately prunes potential avenues of exploration. I think mobile or personal device is a better term as its really about the intent of the device, which is to be with you always. Tablet really seems to describe the form factor. I'm not convinced that the form factor is all that important.

Form factor means everything; look at how many new iPad only apps there are, strictly due to increased screen size. Jobs made this clear when he nixed the 7" iPad.

Re: Tablets

#137

Post by rdl »

siglesias wrote: post #135
nostromo wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My phone's battery died last time I was flying home from a business trip because I was listening to music in-flight. I already freak out a bit when my phone dies -- I can't imagine being locked out and not being able to call anyone.

Hm, we might have a market here for extending power cords that live in a compartment next to your doorbell.

Or perhaps a treadmill in front of the door which generates electricity, connected to a tesla coil, to support wireless charging of your phone, to send a message over the Internet, to unlock the door :)

Re: Tablets

#138

Post by grayrest »

pkulak wrote: post #122

"I wouldn't be surprised if by playing some clever tricks with the accelerometer you could even replace the bathroom scale." I'd be surprised. Very, very, very surprised.

I was mystified at this. I can't imagine a way to measure weight with accelerometer that doesn't involve spinning around in circles or jumping up and down on springs.

Re: Tablets

#139

Post by iaskwhy »

steveklabnik wrote: post #129
iaskwhy wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm just saying but who knows if in x years you also have to use Apple? You know, there was always an alternative for Microsoft products like there is for Apple ones but people actually vote on this with their wallet: if the vast majority chooses Apple you will be forced to use their products too. I'm sure of this because I would never think about working with Objective-C and here I am doing iOS apps because that's w…

> I'm just saying but who knows if in x years you also have to use Apple? Then that's when I'll start to take issue with them.

Oh, I agree but I also like to be conscious that it's happening (or might happen).

Re: Tablets

#140

Post by kenjackson »

RoyG wrote: post #136
kenjackson wrote: post #130

Tablet is the wrong term. In fact I fear the use of it becoming the term to use as I think it immediately prunes potential avenues of exploration. I think mobile or personal device is a better term as its really about the intent of the device, which is to be with you always. Tablet really seems to describe the form factor. I'm not convinced that the form factor is all that important.

Form factor means everything; look at how many new iPad only apps there are, strictly due to increased screen size. Jobs made this clear when he nixed the 7" iPad.

Let me be clearer. I don't mean form factor isn't important in general. I mean form factor isn't the underlying principle that unites these various devices.

Is the Droid Pro a tablet? What about the rumored Playstation Phone? Tablet seems to imply a form factor, and I don't think that's what is important in how we categorize these devices.

It's like if we called PCs "beige boxes" when they came out or if we called TVs "two through thirteen dial machines".

I expect the form factors for these devices to continue to evolve and improve, yet I think the general category of device will be the same (much like how a 3D LED HDTV is still a TV, although looks very different than an old B&W TV from the 50s).

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