The future with iPad - really worth a look

[Reverse Engineer]

As for vending machines, well of course people and companies are constantly trying to market stuff at you, but with any of these devices you can do all sorts of stuff without spending anything over your monthly internet bill, unless you want to. Free podcasts, mixes, radio, TV, videos, books, films, social networking, forums like this one, free applications... Do you feel ripped off by that kind of access or somehow compelled to buy stuff you don't need?

ok, go put one of your creations on the app store. best of luck mate.

edit: here's a handful of iphone apps that have been rejected by apple, not even close to the full amount, but read some of their reasons for said rejection.

[The Chase]

My Hero can multitask.

as can my magic.

We should start a "Post in this thread if your mobile device can multitask flash applications" thread

[tetraplan]

The Brand Spanking New Windows Mobile 7 won't be able to multitask or cut 'n' paste. No joke.

Groet, Erik

[tetraplan]

Anyway: let us be thankful we have commerce. Buy. Buy more. Buy more now, and be happy.

Groet, Erik

[generalstargazer]

what are you guys arguing about?

[masstronaut]

ok, go put one of your creations on the app store. best of luck mate.

Is that relevant to anything I said? No.

Did you have an app rejected perhaps? I might have software in the store for all you know, but that's beside the point. It's a controlled system in that regard, yes, similar to how some games consoles have always been for instance. And while this might not be entirely ideal from some perspectives, it really is only a small percentage of users that are interested in writing software for computers at all, and for most of the rest devices like this will do what they want it for straight out of the box. Look at what most people actually do with their fancy shlaptops. I agree though, it would be good to see a decent number apps in the store sometime, weird how that just hasn't caught on, only 150,000? :p

But like I say, there is already some interesting music related stuff coming out - it's a nice bonus, the economies of scale mean it's a relatively affordable platform as well. It would also seem to be in Apple's interests to grow that side of things so are they really likely to stand in the way of decent applications coming out? Of course if you're not happy with the way the business is operated you don't have to buy it do you? And there are and will be alternatives from some big players and some not so big names so do you really need to be that bothered about it? Feck, we can all just play drums and thighbone flutes if the iPad turns out to have killed moosick.

Personally I might or might not get one of these, probably not for a while, but if I do I know I'll be able to use it. Just like I could play a violin without necessarily wanting to make my own.

[masstronaut]

what are you guys arguing about?

The fact that Apple is literally forcing people to do things against their will. And killing moosick.

[masstronaut]

edit: here's a handful of iphone apps that have been rejected by apple, not even close to the full amount, but read some of their reasons for said rejection.

I'm not down with any supposed trends towards more controlled or proprietary systems, and it would be nice if the iPhone/Pod/Pad could be more open and accessible, but that's their choice right now and they'll never be able to control all IT systems everywhere so I'm not actually worried about it.

Also, that doesn't exactly look like a distinguished parade of quality software in that list...

[Reverse Engineer]

Also, that doesn't exactly look like a distinguished parade of quality software in that list...

thank god you didn't have to find out for yourself then.

[masstronaut]

Care to explain in more detail what you mean by that?

Have to? This is sarcasm of course, but an interesting and revealing choice of words nonetheless.

I'm also not in a position to find out about, for instance, anything on an XBOX 360, because I don't have one. Neither do billions of other people. Are they missing out on something vital to human life? No, not really. Do they have some kind of inalienable right to own an XBOX 360 and all existing XBOX 360 software that should be held up by international decree? I dunno, but that seems to be the sort of thing you arguing for. I mean, who cares - I can get untold amounts of free software for the computer I have, which by most human being's standards I am rather privileged and lucky to own. Most of that software I don't need or want by the way.

If you are the sort of person that wants to tinker with your car engine you probably won't buy one with a proprietary computer control system. The manufacturer of your toaster probably does not approve sticking metal objects into it while it's on, but you are free to do that if you like.

[masstronaut]

Reverse Engineer, there's a man called Jeff in a diner eating a meal right now, isn't it just killing you that you can't find out what it tastes like and how much it costs? Or worse that you can't have the same meal, for free, right now! Isn't just galling that your absolute right to anything you want anytime is being denied you at this moment? Go on stamp your feet, you'll feel better.

I'm not for monopolies or restrictive business practices but this sort of unexamined sense of entitlement is really quite bizarre.

[Reverse Engineer]

Reverse Engineer, there's a man called Jeff in a diner eating a meal right now, isn't it just killing you that you can't find out what it tastes like and how much it costs? Or worse that you can't have the same meal, for free, right now! Isn't just galling that your absolute right to anything you want anytime is being denied you at this moment? Go on stamp your feet, you'll feel better.

I'm not for monopolies or restrictive business practices but this sort of unexamined sense of entitlement is really quite bizarre.

what? i really don't understand the point you're trying to make, at all. nevertheless, you don't seem to understand mine either; so let's quit whilst we're no further ahead.

[masstronaut]

Or you could explain why it matters so much to you what this one company does, especially as there are alternatives and you don't have to engage with their products. As a matter of principle, sure, I don't necessarily disagree. Lots of companies do things we don't like and we can object and argue about them of course but how bad is this really? It's not exactly unprecedented practice either, as in games consoles obviously, but how about in terms of say, synthesizers? How much third party software is available at all for all those digital synth 'platforms', for instance? A couple of alternative OSs - JJOS and something for the EPS16 maybe. Should we all complain that Roland haven't released an SDK or provide API specs for the JP-8000, or something? Bloody fascists, how dare they!

Actually when it comes to the interests of the 'consumer' quite often 'the market' can do its job by voting with the collective wallet. Look at what happened with iTunes DRM, for instance. People really weren't up for that and the company changed it's policy.

You don't understand the points I'm making because I'm showing where what seems to be your argument is kind of absurd in numerous ways.

[eduardo_b]

There's likely to be two kinds of early buyers -- gearheads, who will buy almost anything, and those who consume lots of content and want a device basically dedicated to that and little else.

Im holding it in my hands right now. i have never bought anything 'first day' and am also not johnny 5. i dont consume very much content.

i bought it cause theres lots of fun games and synthesizers ;]

I would consider games content, but I also assume you had $500 to spend and no compelling reason to not buy it.

[yellowfever]

what are you guys arguing about?

The fact that Apple is literally forcing people to do things against their will.

No they're not; it's your choice whatever you buy or don't buy. What a silly statement.