The "won't someone think of the children" argument makes me laugh, a little, but it also dismays me.
There are children out there who are the next Jon Ives and Steve Jobs - people who will take the raw materials they have and produce what they consider to be high art, the best they can make with the technology and materials of the time.
Nothing has or should stop Apple from producing the absolute best examples of their vision. Nothing. And making something that is a commercial success is a part of that expression - one-off technological marvels are not as impressive as something that works for real people in the real world.
I think it is inspiring for the young programmers and designers and Make-subscribers out there to look at this thing and see what is possible to create. It is not necessary that they may take it apart and it is not a feature. They are not selling a toolbox, nor a platform for development.
If you think that the world is headed towards a computing world where no toolboxes or platforms are available, I think you need to make a better case. I see things getting better, not worse.
Apple try to make high art, with technology. To do that in the long term, you have to do so within constraints - commercial, technological, market, content, etc. They have been remarkably successful at doing so within those constraints, with some errors (eg the cube).
I am pleased that Apple made the iPad. It looks beautiful, and I am sure it functions well. I think it is something for humans to wonder at and be proud of - that this is the age we live in, and artisans exist who can design and produce such a device. I can't imagine myself buying one though. It's kind of like a Ferrari - I appreciate it, but it has nothing to do with me. And I wouldn't try to tinker with it. And, I'm not worried that all cars will one day be Ferraris.
If I could meet with DaVinci, and show him one example of our age, I'd show him an iPad. I think he would like it.
There are children out there who are the next Jon Ives and Steve Jobs - people who will take the raw materials they have and produce what they consider to be high art, the best they can make with the technology and materials of the time.
Nothing has or should stop Apple from producing the absolute best examples of their vision. Nothing. And making something that is a commercial success is a part of that expression - one-off technological marvels are not as impressive as something that works for real people in the real world.
I think it is inspiring for the young programmers and designers and Make-subscribers out there to look at this thing and see what is possible to create. It is not necessary that they may take it apart and it is not a feature. They are not selling a toolbox, nor a platform for development.
If you think that the world is headed towards a computing world where no toolboxes or platforms are available, I think you need to make a better case. I see things getting better, not worse.
Apple try to make high art, with technology. To do that in the long term, you have to do so within constraints - commercial, technological, market, content, etc. They have been remarkably successful at doing so within those constraints, with some errors (eg the cube).
I am pleased that Apple made the iPad. It looks beautiful, and I am sure it functions well. I think it is something for humans to wonder at and be proud of - that this is the age we live in, and artisans exist who can design and produce such a device. I can't imagine myself buying one though. It's kind of like a Ferrari - I appreciate it, but it has nothing to do with me. And I wouldn't try to tinker with it. And, I'm not worried that all cars will one day be Ferraris.
If I could meet with DaVinci, and show him one example of our age, I'd show him an iPad. I think he would like it.