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This article says pretty much what I think about Apple's latest contraption. In case the thought of reading one more article about the iPad is one too many let me just summarise some points:
The fact that it's going to run the same OS as an iPhone means that, just like an iPhone, you won't be able to install any software on it without it first being pre-approved by an Apple store and then paid for via that same store. That's a first for something that will look and feel a lot more like a computer than a mobile phone.
With the iPad, gone are any messy notions about "Files" and "Folders" and "Menus" that confuse many people over a certain age..you just click on what you want to do. You'll be able to use it to browse the web, send email, listen to music and watch video. And for a lot of people that's all computers are used for. So having your computer software limited to what you can get from an Apple store won't bother a lot of people.
As the article says "Its an attempt to get people used to this closed type of system by means of a more computer looking device."
So I think this might just sell lots and lots, will be used by kids (in school and out) and older people who hate fiddling with windows. And in the process, the idea of having a computer that you have full control of, that you can organise, that you can install software without corporate permission first, will become less and less popular. You wouldn't be able to install software to read books or watch video or read newspapers unless it's the official software from the official store that will make sure you pay what they demand.
"General purpose computing is too complicated for most people anyway, and the iPad’s descendants along with similar competing products from other companies will offer an enticing alternative. So I see the death of the traditional, open personal computer as a likely occurrence."
That might be a bit much, but you could certainly argue that's the way Apple would like things.
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