{"id":437,"date":"2010-01-28T15:42:48","date_gmt":"2010-01-28T22:42:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.knuetter.com\/christian\/?p=437"},"modified":"2010-01-28T15:42:48","modified_gmt":"2010-01-28T22:42:48","slug":"will-apples-closed-enviornments-succeed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.knuetter.com\/christian\/2010\/01\/28\/will-apples-closed-enviornments-succeed\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Apple’s closed enviornments succeed?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Apple<\/a><\/dt>\n
Image via Wikipedia<\/a><\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

I have long admired Apple<\/a>‘s ability to produce high-quality products, from their early Apple II ad Mac products through the iPod and iMacs of today.\u00a0 But I have often held off purchasing Apple’s products because of their maniacal control that they place over their systems.\u00a0 I was disappointed (but not surprised) that yesterday’s iPad announcement continues their insistence that the iPad will continue to be a closed ecosystem allowing only approved App store applications.<\/p>\n

The iPhone is a wonderful device but really I should be able to install software of my choosing, just like on a computer.\u00a0 I have the same gripe with the AppleTV<\/a>.\u00a0 I absolutely loved Boxee<\/a> on the Apple TV, as I’ve written about in the past but I eventually had to give up on it because of the constant upgrade wars with Apple.\u00a0 Now, if I want to watch the State of the Union address (or many other shows), I have to watch on the computer and not the TV because Apple has said so.<\/p>\n

Were I to do it over again today, I’d buy a Mac mini and attach that to the TV, instead of an Apple TV.\u00a0 That way I’d have the ability to install and run whatever application I want – Boxee, a web browser, etc.,<\/p>\n

And were I to do it over again today, I’d buy a Google phone.\u00a0 I’m aware of the shortcomings of the current Google application offering but that will only improve as more people adopt that device (or, more accurately, device platform).<\/p>\n

And so, what will I do today?\u00a0 Will I buy an iPad?\u00a0 (Beside the fact that I’m not really in the market and won’t be buying one in the near future..)\u00a0 Certainly the device is compelling.\u00a0 I really think Apple has hit the nail on the head.\u00a0 It really is a great device for most casual computer users.\u00a0 Cruise the web, watch a video, look at some photos, check the weather, etc.,\u00a0 It really is made for the couch (or the train\/airplane).\u00a0 But I won’t be able to install Boxee.\u00a0 I won’t be able to run flash.\u00a0 I won’t be able to install Firefox.\u00a0 I won’t be able to decide whether the power-burden of background apps is acceptable or not.\u00a0 These might not be deal-breakers for the iPad device – but if this signals the future of computing platforms – closed ecosystems where you have to fully buy in to one company’s environment – one where you have little control over how it works – I’m concerned.<\/p>\n

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