Why I think Apple are correct!
The Apple iPhone and latest offering the iPad have been slated by many ‘technical types’ as lacking connectivity and stymied by the need to use the iStore to download apps etc., however, I am beginning to realise that they have not only got it right, but will start an explosion of this type of self contained device in the coming years. My reasoning behind this is simple - a lack of (or desire of) understanding.
For an ageing demographic with money to spend and a desire to connect with the world at large - modern technology aka the P.C. is simply too complex.
When I started in IT in 1988 we had DOS, followed by Windows 2, 3, 3.1, 3x, 95, 98, millenium edition, 2000, XP, Vista and now Windows 7 (which I love), roughly 14+ Microsoft versions of OS not to mention the plethora of alternatives from IBM and the like. Add to that the various versions of word processing software etc., from Lotus, Microsoft, and the rest - and you can see a very worrying trend. The software - or rather the seemingly infinite choice of software is overwhelming - even for “IT professionals”.
I had to test a client’s web site security recently - with their approval of course, however, in my search for a suitable program I found myself downloading software from an unknown/un-trusted source. The amount of time I spent following this exercise - just to ensure my PC was ‘clean’ was significant… and I am supposed to know what I am doing. The threats I was checking for are everyday threats faced by the masses. WHY? - because the modern PC allows you to download and install whatever you want to! Which is why (I think) Apple are ahead of the curve.
Think about it - the average user just wants to do whatever they want to do - surf the web, email friends, share photo’s etc. Wouldn’t it be great to know that no matter what you download - it cannot harm your ‘device’. By building devices that are restrictive - i.e. you cannot install any old software on them, also means they are secure – e.g. neither can anyone else.
Prescribing software you have access to may limit choice, however, would the demographic these devices target really care? I think not, all many of us want is simplicity and peace of mind. Would they pay ‘over the odds’ for this – apparently so, and indeed they are doing, American sales in May for the iPad exceeded the 2 million mark – and demand in Europe is expected to reach similar proportions. This I think mark’s the start of a massive shift in the way we buy technology; little black boxes that do fewer things but provide peace of mind! It is starting to sound good to me.
