Support NeoGAF

[kaching]

Hey man, your question seemed hostile, but I apologize if my response seemed harsh.

Haven't touchscreen phones been out for quite a while now though? How exactly is Flash and the problems I brought up handled on those devices?

No worries, it's hard to tell whose hackles are up at times in threads like this.

Nobody's been in a rush to implement Flash on other touchscreen phones either - at least in the mobile phone space they can still fall back on the legitimate rationale that it's a resource hog. But that rationale will start to lose legitimacy rapidly as 1Ghz chips like Snapdragon start becoming more prevalent in phones.

 

[mrkgoo]

If they are still working on getting something as basic as the search function ready then it's unlikely we'll see more advance features like sharing books for instance. They'll also have to rush to get the software ready before the shipping deadline and the app might end up half-baked.

Good point.

Incidentally I wonder how many of the books are actually ready? The epub standard dealt with by apple or by the publishers?

I think well hear more details in te next couple months.

 

[Blackhead]

Good point.

Incidentally I wonder how many of the books are actually ready? The epub standard dealt with by apple or by the publishers?

I think well hear more details in te next couple months.

The epub format is an open standard that's been round for a long while. Ebook websites have been selling books in that for years.

 

[noah111]

On the topic of flash support, I gotta agree with Buckethead, apps are definitely the solution. If there's a popular flash game online, the dev should port it.

As long as I can eventually get a Hulu app, I think i'm fine if flash never makes it if it would seriously drain or slow down my device (not to mention compromise it)..

Can't wait till a few years from now when they merge this tablet with the MacBook line.

 

[Tobor]

Another big picture essay, this one from Steven Frank, co-founder of Panic:

http://stevenf.tumblr.com/post/359224392/i-need-to-talk-to-you-about-computers-ive-been

Very good read.

 

[blu]

Pretty much. Also, I believe when you run apps the is sits around and kills safari cache. If I have safari running when I open a new app I can nearly guarantee a crash.

Anyway, about the lack of a video camera in the ipad - I blame the new iPod nano! Damn you nano!

Honestly, though, I think the lack was mostly likely due to just not being ready. The software that is. Maybe it wasn't quite at the level that Steve was happy with.

i too think it was most likely a technical issue - but a hw one. if it was sw they could always patch it later - the iphoneOS has been a rather dynamic platform anyway - a few things from it took more than a single iteration to get to a state of completion.

anyhow, we'll see in two months. i, for one, couldn't figure out what was the idea behind the timing of the ipad announcement event - seems rather detached from the product's launch window.

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

anyhow, we'll see in two months. i, for one, couldn't figure out what was the idea behind the timing of the ipad announcement event - seems rather detached from the product's launch window.

They have to announce it early before it gets leaked through patents, partners, FCC, etc. They did the same thing for Apple TV and iPhone.

 

[Tobor]

i too think it was most likely a technical issue - but a hw one. if it was sw they could always patch it later - the iphoneOS has been a rather dynamic platform anyway - a few things from it took more than a single iteration to get to a state of completion.

anyhow, we'll see in two months. i, for one, couldn't figure out what was the idea behind the timing of the ipad announcement event - seems rather detached from the product's launch window.

They had to announce it before submitting it for FCC approval.

EDIT: beaten by the man holding a burnt pie.

 

[JasonUresti]

I like this thing, as it's going to help expand the tablet market so more open, ambitious, and creative devices can be made for non-Apple fans. (Not a knock on Apple, I fully understand why people like their products, they make great, simple devices that everyone from grandma to teen can use without any worries. I just crave something a little more adventurous and unrestricted.)

 

[noah111]

i too think it was most likely a technical issue - but a hw one. if it was sw they could always patch it later - the iphoneOS has been a rather dynamic platform anyway - a few things from it took more than a single iteration to get to a state of completion.

anyhow, we'll see in two months. i, for one, couldn't figure out what was the idea behind the timing of the ipad announcement event - seems rather detached from the product's launch window.

I thought that might be the case as well, but the more I think about it the more it seems to be a marketing thing (mainly). I'll probably wait for the next iteration if it means a decent front facing camera and perhaps better specs.

 

[blu]

I like this thing, as it's going to help expand the tablet market so more open, ambitious, and creative devices can be made for non-Apple fans. (Not a knock on Apple, I fully understand why people like their products, they make great, simple devices that everyone from grandma to teen can use without any worries. I just crave something a little more adventurous and unrestricted.)

if you're looking for similarly good tech but not from apple - check out the dell mini 5. high-end mobile SoC (qualcomm are one of the more prominent ARM architecture licensees), and running an actual touch OS. the only drawback is the uninspired display unit - rather PMP-ish for my taste. anyway, apple have set the trend in the right direction, the industry as usual will follow ; )

 

[LiveFromKyoto]

Another big picture essay, this one from Steven Frank, co-founder of Panic:

http://stevenf.tumblr.com/post/359224392/i-need-to-talk-to-you-about-computers-ive-been

Very good read.

That was like a one-man argument against just about every criticism in this thread. The only thing is that he pretty much concedes that the hardware just isn't there yet for where this thing needs to be - namely, allowing a certain degree of multitasking without vampiric clock cycle/battery drains. One of the core philosophies behind Mac OS has been smooth workflow and seamless transition; the current model, even if focused, runs counter to that. I may be wrong, but I think the current breed of user has been conditioned too heavily to multitasking to fully accept a one-at-a-time device as forward moving. Right now I have 9 apps and a Chrome browser with 18 tabs (all independent processes, welcome to the future!) open and I'm just hanging out, not doing anything serious

That said, if Apple allows multitasking on their own apps I could mostly live with that, there'd only be a couple of things I'd really miss (namely Journler and occasionally Transmission).

 

[Raistlin]

Nice Trolling. And notice how the ones with prices don't have 3g? But yet you want to use 3G compare prices instead of wifi vs wifi? Keep trolling. SMH.

The 3G HW in the iPad costs ~$13. Also, a nice feature of Android and Win7 is that you can tether.

Spoiler

and once iPad is jailbroken, you'll be able to do the same on it as well

What's so great about the notion ink over the iPad that says people should be looking at that instead? Only major difference from that list is multitasking it seems.

* Pixel Qi screen supports a mode that functions like e-ink

* multitasking

* better processor (and likely more RAM - 1GB)

* HW video acceleration supports 1080p

* HDMI output

* SD slot

* Flash

* camera

* browser (built in or 3rd party) doesn't have to reload each tab

* Android is an open platform, which has obvious benefits

* etc.


Unfortunately, Notion Ink is a totally unknown quantity.

I was buying into the HTML5 argument. If HTML5 video works fine on Mobile Safari down the road, then that's a valid point. Too early to tell.

The problem is how long will it take for sites to switch over? So yeah, it's too early to consider it a viable substitution. Also, no Vorbis\Theroa support.

Flash has always worked fine enough on normal OS X Macs.

Look, Apple not supporting Flash is about money, plain and simple.

Flash competes with iTunes, because it opens up an array of streaming video sites that will offer plenty of free content to watch. Apple wants you to buy/rent movies from them.

Flash compete with App Store, because it opens up an array of free website games. Apple wants you to buy games from them.

Flash puts a strain on AT&T's 3G network, because it's not equipped to handle people streaming Hulu and Netflix all day at iPad size data rates. It will cost AT&T money well beyond a $30 unlimited plan would offset. Can't have that.

This is also the reason the iPad doesn't have a standard USB connector or support playing video files in anything but Apple formats through the iTunes browser.

Sorry, I can't really have any sympathy for a decision to put profits so nakedly above the interests of customers, not to that extent.

Great summary.

This line of thinking is my main issue with it. Basically everything that I've complained about being gimped on it, seems to have a direct correlation to them monetizing their content and HW.

1080p content? Why bother when iTunes only sells 720p content. Flash? That would compete with much of the iTunes content. Codec/container support? Only for what they sell. HD video output? Go buy and Apple TV (that not coincidentally, only supports 720p and their codecs as well). etc.

Netflix doesn't use flash.......

That reminds me, Silverlight isn't supported ... Java isn't supported ...

 

[civilstrife]

I would love to see a bluetooth Gamepad released for this thing and games that support it.

 

[Keylime]

Wait a minute...it just hit me that Raistlin = Onix.

What the eff happened?! :lol

 

[Tobor]

That was like a one-man argument against just about every criticism in this thread. The only thing is that he pretty much concedes that the hardware just isn't there yet for where this thing needs to be - namely, allowing a certain degree of multitasking without vampiric clock cycle/battery drains. One of the core philosophies behind Mac OS has been smooth workflow and seamless transition; the current model, even if focused, runs counter to that. I may be wrong, but I think the current breed of user has been conditioned too heavily to multitasking to fully accept a one-at-a-time device as forward moving. Right now I have 9 apps and a Chrome browser with 18 tabs (all independent processes, welcome to the future!) open and I'm just hanging out, not doing anything serious

That said, if Apple allows multitasking on their own apps I could mostly live with that, there'd only be a couple of things I'd really miss (namely Journler and occasionally Transmission).

We're tantalizingly close. I have 3 apps running at the moment, one of which is iTunes(I'm not playing anything), Tweetie, and Safari. I'm really multitasking analog style, since I have Netflix running on the 360.

Apple can compromise on this, and I feel like it's coming. Using the new popovers available in 3.2 to quickly check an iPhone sized app would work for most situations.

 

[Raistlin]

Wait a minute...it just hit me that Raistlin = Onix.

What the eff happened?! :lol

:lol

What gave it away?

 

[Keylime]

:lol

What gave it away?

Everything about your post was very Onix'y. Avatar, tag, post content.

I was like "wtf...how come I've...OH!"

 

[Buckethead]

Another big picture essay, this one from Steven Frank, co-founder of Panic:

http://stevenf.tumblr.com/post/359224392/i-need-to-talk-to-you-about-computers-ive-been

That's an awesome article. I hope Panic makes an iPad version of Coda.
I will buy that puppy up.

 

[Shins]

Another big picture essay, this one from Steven Frank, co-founder of Panic:

http://stevenf.tumblr.com/post/359224392/i-need-to-talk-to-you-about-computers-ive-been

Very good read.

"...And I've looked over, and I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land. So I'm happy tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man."

 

[Hitokage]

Another big picture essay, this one from Steven Frank, co-founder of Panic:

http://stevenf.tumblr.com/post/359224392/i-need-to-talk-to-you-about-computers-ive-been

Very good read.

If only that line of thought wasn't already sullied by the Nintendo Wii. At any rate, I felt he spoke past me as I was reading it. I'm not particularly attached to desktops or filesystems. Have it all in a relational db for all I care, but ultimately a computer has to do more than make a statement.

Oh, and his car analogy is horrible.

 

[tokkun]

On the topic of flash support, I gotta agree with Buckethead, apps are definitely the solution. If there's a popular flash game online, the dev should port it.

The SDK is not free, and if you don't already own an Intel Mac, you would need to buy one in order to install it. Then you would need to put in time learning how to port your game and debugging it. After all that, you'd be at the mercy of Apple to approve it for the app store.

Is it really right to demand that flash game developers all devote the time, money, and resources to doing this individually, when Apple could solve the problem for everyone if they implemented flash support?

 

[Raistlin]

Everything about your post was very Onix'y. Avatar, tag, post content.

I was like "wtf...how come I've...OH!"

Read the bottom of post 31, and then the following post

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=383837

 

[noah111]

The SDK is not free, and if you don't already own an Intel Mac, you would need to buy one in order to install it. Then you would need to put in time learning how to port your game and debugging it. After all that, you'd be at the mercy of Apple to approve it for the app store.

Is it really right to demand that flash game developers all devote the time, money, and resources to doing this individually, when Apple could solve the problem for everyone if they implemented flash support?

Yeah, you're right. I totally forgot about the obvious fee. Though I still don't find it that big of a deal that I can't access flash games on my iPhone tbh..

If Apple were to have flash support though, they're giving you access to a whole library of free music, videos, and games.. It just logically makes sense to me from Apple's perspective.

 

[Tobor]

If only that line of thought wasn't already sullied by the Nintendo Wii. At any rate, I felt he spoke past me as I was reading it. I'm not particularly attached to desktops or filesystems. Have it all in a relational db for all I care, but ultimately a computer has to do more than make a statement.

Oh, and his car analogy is horrible.

In what way? The Wii is a satisfactory experience for a wide range of people. It's not satisfactory for me, not by itself, but I'm squarely in what he terms "Old World" in that regard.

The car analogy works IMO as long as you don't take it too literally.

 

[Vic]

The whole keynote on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBhYxj2SvRI&feature=related

Looks great.

 

[SuperPac]

VOIP allowed on iPad too. Skype!

http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/30/3g-voip-phone-calls-allowed-on-ipad-too-skype-imminent/

LA Times reports that Apple has confirmed that it is now allowing the iPhone, iPod Touch and newly released iPad to make voice over IP (VOIP) calls over AT&T's 3G cellular network.

"We revised our Program License Agreement in conjunction with our updated Software Development Kit for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad Apps," wrote an Apple spokesperson.

Skype reportedly has a 3G-enabled version of their app ready to submit once they get final clarification from Apple. In the meanwhile, Fring has already enabled Skype calls over 3G in their application.

This also means that new iPad users will be able to make outgoing phone calls with just the 3G data plan. An unlimited 3G data plan for the iPad will cost $30/month. The main disadvantage, of course, is that the iPad will not be able to monitor for incoming calls due to the inability to run applications in the background.

 

[D4Danger]

VOIP allowed on iPad too. Skype!

http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/30/3g-voip-phone-calls-allowed-on-ipad-too-skype-imminent/

 

[Byakuya769]

So I wonder which will I be offered for free when I get another macbook pro as a student next fall.. a ipod touch or the ipad (I'm hoping for the ipad, even at a really reduced price or something, I'd bite).

The more I see it the more I think the ereader/magazine stuff would be pretty cool, but I still don't feel comfortable having the jump through more hurdles to watch all the media I watch.

 

[Hitokage]

In what way? The Wii is a satisfactory experience for a wide range of people.

If not transitory.

 

[blu]

Great summary.

This line of thinking is my main issue with it. Basically everything that I've complained about being gimped on it, seems to have a direct correlation to them monetizing their content and HW.

1080p content? Why bother when iTunes only sells 720p content. Flash? That would compete with much of the iTunes content. Codec/container support? Only for what they sell. HD video output? Go buy and Apple TV (that not coincidentally, only supports 720p and their codecs as well). etc.

i'm curious how you'd explain:

* javascrip & canvas support in safari mobile: enter free javascrip games
(missed minesweeper on your iphone? check out the one on this page)

* the youtube client right in the middle of my ipod's desktop.

* itunes being actively translated to mp4 containers and industry-standard codecs across the board.

i think i know what apple's problem is - they're meek. i mean, for a sith lord of DD, they keep screwing themselves with sticking to open industry standards and making deals with meta-content providers like google. for shame, apple!

 

[AppleBlade]

The buzz has been more negative than positive, but I have a hunch that the iPad is going to be every bit as revolutionary as it was hyped to be. Just wait till the thing is out and the apps start coming. The apps will be what define this device.

My reasoning:
1. People complaining about missing features are not looking at the big picture. There have been tons of phones before and after that have had more features then the iPhone and yet none can come close. I see the same thing happening with the iPad.

2. The app store is what has truly made the iPhone the hit it is today. It has created a ton of programmers and developers that are familar working with the iPhone OS and apple's development environment. Well guess what? Now they get to develop for another device with a similar interface, similar development environment, but it's more powerful and has bigger more beautiful screen. Watch out.

3. The price is right. I think Apple was very smart with the pricing, it's still not cheap but at $1000 I don't think mainstream success could have been possible.

4. Early hands-on impressions reveal that the device is working perfectly and it is very fast and intuitive. This is far more important than a laundry list of features. If the interface was clunky or slow, then I don't care if it had all the features people want and was only $299, it would be a failure.

5. E-book readers have been hot this past year, once the iPad hits, I really think the general public is going to say, if I'm going to spend a couple hundred on an ebook reader, might as well buy the iPad which is an excellent e-book reader and does a ton of other stuff as well.

 

[Flying_Phoenix]

Just curious how much longer is it likely going to be before we can get e-ink or pixelqi to have a backlight with good resolution and refresh rate on this thing and similar tablets?

 

[Tobor]

If not transitory.

For some, maybe. I doubt either one of us could offer more than anecdotal evidence either way.

 

[Hitokage]

My reasoning:
1. People complaining about missing features are not looking at the big picture. There have been tons of phones before and after that have had more features then the iPhone and yet none can come close. I see the same thing happening with the iPad.

The phone market was pretty damn stagnant before the iPhone. It was ready for something not dumbed down by anticompetitive players. As a phone, one can also make a compelling case that it has elements that put it over other phones. As a tablet, one has trouble doing the same.

2. The app store is what has truly made the iPhone the hit it is today. It has created a ton of programmers and developers that are familar working with the iPhone OS and apple's development environment. Well guess what? Now they get to develop for another device with a similar interface, similar development environment, but it's more powerful and has bigger more beautiful screen. Watch out.

You know what other platforms you can make a myriad of apps for? Anything not a telephone.

5. E-book readers have been hot this past year, once the iPad hits, I really think the general public is going to say, if I'm going to spend a couple hundred on an ebook reader, might as well buy the iPad which is an excellent e-book reader and does a ton of other stuff as well.

E-book readers have e-ink, though.

 

[AppleBlade]

As a phone, one can also make a compelling case that it has elements that put it over other phones.

On the flipside, I've heard many people complain that the iPhone is not a good phone. Google it, you'll find this remark in many places.

As a tablet, one has trouble doing the same.

A tablet what? If you're talking about a Tablet PC, I'm not sure that the iPad is one but one big advantage is that I'm sure it'll be more intuitive and snappy than any competing tablet pc. If you're talking about a Tablet E-book reader, the iPad definitely has some advantages but it's not really just an E-book reader either.

You know what other platforms you can make a myriad of apps for? Anything not a telephone.

The iPhone app store has been special, all of those other app stores for mobile devices have not. The iPad gives these developers a slick user friendly interface to develop on and that is what gives this device the potential to be a revolutionary product.

 

[Hitokage]

On the flipside, I've heard many people complain that the iPhone is not a good phone. Google it, you'll find this remark in many places.

Part of that is probably AT&T's fault, though.

 

[tokkun]

Another big picture essay, this one from Steven Frank, co-founder of Panic:

http://stevenf.tumblr.com/post/359224392/i-need-to-talk-to-you-about-computers-ive-been

Very good read.

I am utterly unconvinced by the argument that the future of the computer is to completely eliminate multitasking. In my observation, the younger 'New World' users are far more strident multitaskers than the 'Old World' guys like me.

The whole article reads as if he is assuming that Apple's design choices (such as no multitasking and lack of a user-transparent file system) are all solutions, then struggles to invent some sort of fundamental problem they are solving.

There is also an overarching sense that he doesn't really understand the basic concepts of an OS or file system.

Maybe processes can petition the OS for background time

There is no such thing as 'background time'. And of course there is already a system in place for the OS to manage which processes are using the resources. It's one of the most fundamental components of every OS. This is smh territory.

The whole thing reads like a stream of consciousness post rather than a structured argument. He frequently contradicts himself when it comes to data sharing between applications, originally saying that they should have absolutely no way to communicate 'to prevent viruses' but later going on about how they should be able to communicate through 'data blobs', which seem to be exactly the same as files, except he doesn't want to call them files because he already argued that the user shouldn't be able to see files.

 

[Hitokage]

I am utterly unconvinced by the argument that the future of the computer is to completely eliminate multitasking.

I had to chuckle at the suggestion of cooperative multitasking.

 

[Critical Jeff]

I am utterly unconvinced by the argument that the future of the computer is to completely eliminate multitasking. In my observation, the younger 'New World' users are far more strident multitaskers than the 'Old World' guys like me.

The whole article reads as if he is assuming that Apple's design choices (such as no multitasking and lack of a user-transparent file system) are all solutions, then struggles to invent some sort of fundamental problem they are solving.

There is also an overarching sense that he doesn't really understand the basic concepts of an OS or file system.



There is no such thing as 'background time'. And of course there is already a system in place for the OS to manage which processes are using the resources. It's one of the most fundamental components of every OS. This is smh territory.

The whole thing reads like a stream of consciousness post rather than a structured argument. He frequently contradicts himself when it comes to data sharing between applications, originally saying that they should have absolutely no way to communicate 'to prevent viruses' but later going on about how they should be able to communicate through 'data blobs', which seem to be exactly the same as files, except he doesn't want to call them files because he already argued that the user shouldn't be able to see files.

The DATA BLOBS dude! The DATA BLOBS

 

[mrkgoo]

VOIP allowed on iPad too. Skype!

http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/30/3g-voip-phone-calls-allowed-on-ipad-too-skype-imminent/

I just rethought my decision to get a non 3G version.

 

[tacotime77]

It seems to me like it would be a prime device for technicians and doctors.

 

[Tobor]

I am utterly unconvinced by the argument that the future of the computer is to completely eliminate multitasking.

That wasn't his argument.

 

[Buckethead]

Oh, E-Ink... harder harder deeper faster ohhhhhhhhhh fuuuuuuuuu
I've never seen E-Ink talked up more than in this thread.

I bought my aunt a Kindle for her birthday and read a book on it while I was visiting her last fall and wasn't really that impressed.

While I enjoyed the large screen, it wasn't anything to write home about. The fonts were easy to read certainly but I wasn't really that visually interested.
Contrarily, I've read a couple of books on my iPhone via Classics and didn't have much of a problem despite the smaller screen. For one the tan-ish
background and dark brown text was much softer on my eyes and also more interesting. The only thing that got annoying was holding it in my hand, so I put it on the dock and flipped when necessary.

So point being E-Ink stopping someone from picking this thing up? E-ink = killer app? :lol
As long as Apple markets it well and builds in plenty of options for the visually impaired and aesthetically picky, I don't personally see the Kindle being dominant in this space.

They should have a "simple reading mode" option too.

Just my .02

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

The 3G HW in the iPad costs ~$13. Also, a nice feature of Android and Win7 is that you can tether.

Spoiler

and once iPad is jailbroken, you'll be able to do the same on it as well

* Pixel Qi screen supports a mode that functions like e-ink

* multitasking

* better processor (and likely more RAM - 1GB)

* HW video acceleration supports 1080p

* HDMI output

* SD slot

* Flash

* camera

* browser (built in or 3rd party) doesn't have to reload each tab

* Android is an open platform, which has obvious benefits

* etc.


Unfortunately, Notion Ink is a totally unknown quantity.




The problem is how long will it take for sites to switch over? So yeah, it's too early to consider it a viable substitution. Also, no Vorbis\Theroa support.




Great summary.

This line of thinking is my main issue with it. Basically everything that I've complained about being gimped on it, seems to have a direct correlation to them monetizing their content and HW.

1080p content? Why bother when iTunes only sells 720p content. Flash? That would compete with much of the iTunes content. Codec/container support? Only for what they sell. HD video output? Go buy and Apple TV (that not coincidentally, only supports 720p and their codecs as well). etc.




That reminds me, Silverlight isn't supported ... Java isn't supported ...

I'm not sure why you responded to me with that?

 

[mrkgoo]

The epub format is an open standard that's been round for a long while. Ebook websites have been selling books in that for years.

Sorry, I know about the format, I meant who is handling the creation of the files... Apple or the publishers? For that matter, who creates the files for iTunes?

 

[maliedoo]

Even Hitler has an opinion about the iPad HERE.:lol

 

[mrkgoo]

Even Hitler has an opinion about the iPad HERE.:lol

Apple reveal the iPad on Wednesday, January 27th, the much hyped tablet device said to kick start the market.

 

[Raistlin]

Oh, E-Ink... harder harder deeper faster ohhhhhhhhhh fuuuuuuuuu
I've never seen E-Ink talked up more than in this thread.

Really, I thought they were talked up pretty heavily in the several e-ink threads we've had at gaf

It's not like people were saying the lack of e-ink is a deal-breaker, they were pointing out that e-ink is better for actual books ... which it is. Where I think the iPad is superior is for smaller dosage content. Stuff like magazines, comics, newspapers, etc. will all be a superior experience on a tablet.

I'm not sure why you responded to me with that?

Huh? Reread the post. I was making multiple responses (3 to you, 2 to others)

 

[LiveFromKyoto]

If only that line of thought wasn't already sullied by the Nintendo Wii.

Well, the Wii has been validated 100x over, most significantly by the fact that Microsoft, bastion of what he calls old-world computing, didn't see it coming and now are playing catch-up putting all their eggs in the Natal basket. The problem isn't really with the Wii, it's with its (lack of) intersection with a certain segment of the market whose needs are better addressed elsewhere, but represent the minority.

What this guy's essentially arguing is that as the technology improves, the Wii (iPad) will absorb those reluctant users by catching up with their horsepower needs, and absorbing them into a (by then) established superior interaction paradigm.

5 years from now all those people on the gaming side bitching about 'waggle' and calling it 'tacked-on' will be having in-depth gestural command debates.

At any rate, I felt he spoke past me as I was reading it. I'm not particularly attached to desktops or filesystems. Have it all in a relational db for all I care, but ultimately a computer has to do more than make a statement.

The thing with Apple is that they're not making statements to push you where they think you should be going, they've made their entire fortune on ergonomics; by being user centered instead of function-centered. Ideational clashes with their products and functionality tend to be overcome through the actual experience of using them.

Obviously there are certain functional discrepancies that mean something like the iPad won't eradicate other forms, but he pretty much makes his point in the article that it can't happen anyway until you can bootstrap iPad apps on an iPad. I'd probably go a bit further than that.

There is a clear technological edge that desktops have, but keeping in mind that we're talking about mass market hardware, at what point do you reach that critical mass where the vast majority of those high end professional apps don't really need more power to run? I think we're getting there with many of them; a lot of the significant logjams can already be solved by throwing more RAM at them.