“Normal people don’t like today’s computers. Most loathe them because they can’t fully understand their absurd complexity and arcane conventions,” Jesus Diaz writes for Gizmodo. “That’s why the iPad will kill today’s computers, just like the latter killed computers running with punchcards and command lines.”
“Of course, the iPad—the actual product that millions will buy in the coming months—won’t replace all computers. The entire world is not going to run just on tablets, just like the world doesn’t run only on smartphones and personal computers now,” Diaz writes. “But Steve Jobs’ Next Big Thing is the first computer that requires no training whatsoever, one that is truly accessible and useful for everyone. Just like the iPhone changed the idea of what a phone should be without anyone truly realizing it, Apple’s new computer will completely and permanently change our idea of what a computer is and how it should behave.”
Diaz writes, “The perception change will be so deep that it will kill Mac OS X, Windows and Linux as we know them today. At one point during this decade, you will no longer have a billion folders and file icons floating in a virtual desktop. There will be no more baffling setup screens. No more shortcuts to work around limitations and old conventions. These frustrating barriers—built during decades of evolution—are what make normal people hate computers. These barriers have now been obliterated, first by the iPhone and now by the iPad. Everyone will be using computers similar to the iPad. Not in terms of hardware, form factor, and specs. But on its philosophy.”
Much more in the full article – recommended – here.
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You’re right that ‘the cloud’ is just a fancy new name for terminal computing, which Microsoft would love to return to(and the public rejected decades ago. It isn’t coming back no matter how much certain dinsosauric tech corporations really, really want it to).
But I have no idea why the hell you think Apple wants to go back to terminals. They’ve always presented remote storage as a compliment to local storage, not a replacement for it.
When did their attitude suddenly do a 180?
I must’ve missed it.
You are aware even the lowest tier iPad comes with a storage drive…?
I don’t know. As a developer, I really don’t like the idea of Apple taking control of my business, and taking 30% of the profits. We like to talk to our customer in person. It will raise our prices not lower them.
I think the whole iPhone and iPad is going in the wrong direction as far as controlling software. Apple has to approve of everything that goes on the unit? That is not freedom as I see it. On NetBooks, you can run any software you want.
I would like to see a iPad that is more powerful than the ones people are running to grab, and one that runs Mac OS X.
I think the unit is cool, but hardly a laptop or desktop killer in its present form.
Curious George
“This makes me wonder: is the goal of Apple for us to store files locally on the iPad? Or, does Apple have in mind getting iPad owners to become MobileMe customers, and use its cloud-based storage capabilities to basically turn MobileMe into a large hard drive? Could this be why Apple is building a massive data center in North Carolina?”
That is what I think Apple has planned. A real move to cloud computing at the new NC data center. As soon as they are able I expect a big announcement by Apple about MobileMe with more storage and greater capability. The iPad will help to move people to the cloud. Another paradigm change.
As Jesus Diaz says “hang on to your underpants”!
“Everyone will be using computers similar to the iPad. Not in terms of hardware, form factor, and specs. But on its philosophy.”
Just for the sake of the music…
@Knightlite
“I don’t know. As a developer, I really don’t like the idea of Apple taking control of my business, and taking 30% of the profits. We like to talk to our customer in person. It will raise our prices not lower them.
I think the whole iPhone and iPad is going in the wrong direction as far as controlling software. Apple has to approve of everything that goes on the unit? That is not freedom as I see it. On NetBooks, you can run any software you want.”
If you think developing apps for netbooks is a good opportunity go for it.
Apple isn’t taking control. It is a business deal. You don’t have to develop for iPhone OS.
You would be lucky to sell your apps and make 70% gross on your own. I think you may be somewhat unrealistic.
Apple probably gives you much more exposure to the market than you could do on your on.
Nothing stops you from setting up a good website and marketing your app. You are also free to let app users know you want to interact with them.
As a consumer I like Apple’s set up. I wish their was a central location for Mac OS software.
“Normal people” Please define normal, most so called normal people I know are brain dead. Perhaps Mr. Diaz should refer to the iPad as the computer for retards.
Apple has plans so you will not have to be iMac, MB or MBP dependent for your iPad. Just hold on for the ride.
Though I love the things Apple does with computer technology, I am certainly not giving up my Mac and some sort of iPad thingy. Now don’t get me wrong, I think the iPad would be a useful device, but I’m not throwing my Macs away to make an iPad (or anything else like it) to take its place. I am also not betting my computing future on the cloud. I prefer not to pay for software as a service. I’ll go Amiga, Linux or Haiku before that!
Only concern i have is Time’s poll isn’t showing a lot of people wanting to buy one of these. Does anyone know what the Time readership base is? Are they indicative of the average person?
I think that if they remove the keyboard, flip the lid and keep it thin, the AirTouch or MacTouchAir could be the next version of touch we see. I believe that just as they have customized ipad from the iphone or vice versa, they are working to customize Snow Leopard to have a full touch version and that it is a much LARGER task and leap for the average consumer to accept touch computing…why not slowly move 70 million users of the OS transition to something that they already know. Apple is wise to only release a product when it is absolutely ready for PRIME TIME. And by PRIME TIME I mean look at how they have slowly built the anticipation for the product and bam on launch week they are getting more free publicity than any company on the planet. Now they will unleash a flurry of products around the ipad and then milk this cow until Christmas. January 2011 Air Touch featuring OS X …. Touch! Running an 8 core A12 with 8 gig ram and 1tb harddrive. Starting and 1299$ for 4gb ram 500gb hd, usb, mini DV out….
I think the iPad is cool– limitations but I better understand the use now.
A guy at work who has never owned an Apple product and is a hardcore PC and BlackBerry user pre-ordered one a while back. As a frequent traveler he was considering Kindle pre-iPad announcement… but said the iPad was obvious choice.
Another PC user said his family was getting one instead of a nice digital picture frame for home.
It’s not going to kill my Cube!
Strapped and ready. BRING IT!!!!!
most people don’t like computers today? excuse me. what kind of judgement you just made. it’s maybe your case. computer has been classified by purpose. what kind of work you have…. it depends on. there are a lot of people who own more than two PC or macs. laptop or desktop is still way powerful. ipad is just lame product of ipod touch version. it’s only slightly bigger. it is impossible to kill all computers if you are not moron or retarded. ipad can’t be replace for computer anyway or forever. you have no idea. I guess that you are very basic user for computer. that’s why ipad looks more promise, huh? ipad is wasting money if you have already laptop or netbook. look, even netbook is much cheaper, more powerful. because ipad looks beautiful device, it doesn’t mean that ipad can change all. no way. it will be just like Apple TV. for a long term, sale won’t be much more than Apple thinks. actually, like I said, if you have laptops, ipad is very pointless.
The invention of the iPad is sure to change the way computers are deisgned in the future. As you mention many of the older generation just don’t get computers and cannot function them without IT Support/ A simple system like this will go to further making computers more accessible.