61–70 of 101 posts
Oddly enough, the microwave is the least used appliance in our kitchen. If it weren't for the fact that they are so cheap now as to be virtually free we probably wouldn't have one. When the iPad gets to that same price point we'll probably get one as well.
Great article. It really explains to me the success of the iPad, which from my geeky, feature-centered, cheapskate perspective made little sense. I bought a netbook one year after the iPad came out, which seemed to correspond more to my use of a lightweight computer. Incidentally, I stopped using microwaves a few years ago. I wonder what that means my future relationship with tablets will be.
I don't know how far the analogy holds up. After all, microwave is not very programmable(in the computing sense) nor so restrictive. Did the microwave only cook food that was specially labeled microwaveable(and food grocers had to pay 30% of the price of food to the microwave manufacturer to get that special label) ? Isn't that what happens with the iPad? Eg. The free Sony e-reader app was rejected, Readability was r…
Yes. It's mostly mediocre at cooking traditional recipes, but great with foods that are specially designed for it, some of which wouldn't otherwise be feasible.
and food grocers had to pay 30% of the price of food to the microwave manufacturer to get that special label
If there were legal and technical means to license microwaveable food, I'm sure someone would do it.
Oddly enough, the microwave is the least used appliance in our kitchen. If it weren't for the fact that they are so cheap now as to be virtually free we probably wouldn't have one. When the iPad gets to that same price point we'll probably get one as well.
I was in my previous apartment for 18 months and never turned on either the oven, or stove. I can't even tell you if it was plugged in. The Microwave, on the other hand, was my magical baked potato maker and chinese-food/pasta reheater. Of course, I've been in my current house for a little over a year, and don't believe I've ever heated up anything in the kitchen, so perhaps I'm an outlier.
i m not a apple fan, but this analogy really do justice with the iPad. though there is one major flaw with it - last time i checked, the iPad cant be activated without other computer. you need to connect it to some computer and activate it via itunes. so not really microwave. microwave with DRM maybe?
I've read all the arguments against the iTunes activation step, not many for to be fair, but I believe I represent the silent majority that just doesn't mind that imposition. The iPad is book matched with it's sync software, ipad owner will then continue to use their sync software because it provides all the access to the music, movies, photos, apps, ... As I remember, my US Robotics palm pilot did work without the i…
i m not a apple fan, but this analogy really do justice with the iPad. though there is one major flaw with it - last time i checked, the iPad cant be activated without other computer. you need to connect it to some computer and activate it via itunes. so not really microwave. microwave with DRM maybe?
For the larger issue of DRM I must say I've never used a microwave that was more open than an iPad. I can't load any third party software into my microwave. I can't even find any schematics for the internal designs to allow for my own modifications. I'm pretty sure companies like GE own patents for many of the components inside so I couldn't reproduce them and sell my own open source microwave.
Did microwaves become mainstream when they were 600+ dollars? Also, a microwave helps you with the basic necessities of life (making/eating food) if you lack cooking skills. The IPad is an entertainment device. IMO this analogy is very weak.
My family was a relatively late adopter of the microwave.. I think we got one around 1984. It was a used model that (IIRC) cost $300 which would be about $611 now. If you bought a new one in the 70s it would have been quite a bit more than that.
Waiting ages for your computer to boot? What are you - living in the 90s? There's this thing called sleep mode, and that's how the iPad works as well. Upgrade to a real OS, and then maybe your article won't sound like retarded drivel.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't know how far the analogy holds up. After all, microwave is not very programmable(in the computing sense) nor so restrictive. Did the microwave only cook food that was specially labeled microwaveable(and food grocers had to pay 30% of the price of food to the microwave manufacturer to get that special label) ? Isn't that what happens with the iPad? Eg. The free Sony e-reader app was rejected, Readability was r…
My concern is actually in a different direction: that people will enjoy the restricting tool too much. In the microwave analogy it would be that people enjoy the convenience of microwaves so much that they abandon reguarly cooked food for packaged microwave-ready food completely. Not that that happened with microwaves, but it seems like the danger's greater with the iPad. The iPad is designed for consumption (yes, I…
People who argue that microwaves has/had no clear use have clearly not worshiped their microwave for sterilizing baby bottles in no time at 2am with a screaming baby at hand. Therein lies the interesting fact: The new, "in the middle" device may trigger new approaches and ways of life that may indispensable. The baby bottle sterilizer is an unexpected but vital byproduct of the microwave.
I realize the frustration in receiving any parenting advice at all, but please bear in mind that being too strict in what germs the baby comes in contact with early on can have negative long term effects. I'm sure you know this already, just a thing to keep in mind.