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macrumors G4
Original poster
Feb 5, 2009
10,703
1
Canada
http://gizmodo.com/5506692/ipad-is-the-future

Why Apple’s iPad will kill today’s computers
Friday, April 02, 2010

"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."


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The iPad: way ahead of its time. We're *still* in Future Shock, people.
 

MICHAELSD

macrumors 603
Jul 13, 2008
5,409
3,404
NJ
The iPhone OS runs better than Mac OS, and honestly could be looked at as better-designed. There still are a lot of flaws preventing it from replacing a computer yet, I think every operating system will move forward borrowing elements from the iPhone OS. Multi-touch and simplicity, as long as you can still do everything and more as on a standard computer, are the future for sure.
 

ImperialX

macrumors 65816
Jul 17, 2007
1,339
23
Tokyo, Japan
I don't agree with everything in that article, but I do believe that just like how Apple paved the way with the GUI and mouse back in 1984, they will pave the way again with Multi-touch now in 2010. This is why I'm willing to shell out my money for a first generation device - this is history, and I'm willing to pay extra just to be a part of it.

However, as I like to say, history is an endless waltz. We will soon see countless copies, legal disputes, and more in the wake. Apple is too closed and people desire openess.
 

spinnerlys

Guest
Sep 7, 2008
14,328
7
forlod bygningen
Did you say this?^ or is it a quote?

cause "touch" technology has existed since like the 80's i think.........future shock....not.

The "touch" technology in the iPad is not the only advantage that that device has. Not even the multi-touch capability. It's more the combination of several technologies and ideas, of which some already existed in some way or another, that makes the iPad stand out.
 

ImperialX

macrumors 65816
Jul 17, 2007
1,339
23
Tokyo, Japan
I'll be damned before I start using computers with a graphic user interface.

That's what the pros said about the Mac back in 1984. XD

But I do agree that the iPhone OS is hugely limited when compared with desktop-class operating systems. Then again, the GUI was highly limited when compared to command prompts back then as well, and that's what put the "pros" off.

What this article is saying is just like the GUI, iPhone OS is paving the way for the future, where Multi-touch will be dominant.
 

samcraig

macrumors P6
Jun 22, 2009
16,779
41,982
USA
To say that anyone can pick up the iPad without any training and use it is a fallacy. Especially if you want to throw in how non-computer savvy people are. I can't tell you how many people I know bought iPhones because they were the cool thing and still have no idea how to use them or barely use them other than for email/phone and txt. And it took them awhile to sort that out.

And if you don't believe me - walk into an Apple Store on any given day and look at all the people needing instruction on how to use their iPhones.

Will the iPad be instinctual for those already familiar with the iPhone - absolutely.
 

KeriJane

macrumors 6502a
Sep 26, 2009
578
1
ЧИКАГО!
That article sound plausible enough. People generally don't understand computers or use them effectively and want to "just do" things.

The iPad was specifically designed with the premise of changing how people use computers, in particular how non-technical people use them.
Nearly everyone I know would gravitate to such a device once they try it.


It'll be interesting to see what ends up happening.
Let's come back in five years and talk about what happened! :D

Oh wait! The world's gonna end in about two years. :eek:
Darn. We'll never know how the iPad would have done.

Have Fun,
Keri
 

Fraaaa

macrumors 65816
Mar 22, 2010
1,081
0
London, UK
To say that anyone can pick up the iPad without any training and use it is a fallacy. Especially if you want to throw in how non-computer savvy people are. I can't tell you how many people I know bought iPhones because they were the cool thing and still have no idea how to use them or barely use them other than for email/phone and txt. And it took them awhile to sort that out.

And if you don't believe me - walk into an Apple Store on any given day and look at all the people needing instruction on how to use their iPhones.

Will the iPad be instinctual for those already familiar with the iPhone - absolutely.



I think the point was that an iPhone is easier than a Computer, and I think you could agree with that.

When I left home to go abroad I had to take a week to teach my mother how:

To turn on and off the PC;
How to deal with all the error my PC has;
How to use a browser, MSN and E-Mails.

And you know that isn't enough because she doesn't know anything about settings and installation for new software, not to mention when it comes to the hardware. In fact she has to call other people to change the speaker and install the new printer.

Briefly, how hard is to purchase, install and use an app compare to a program for a Computer OS?

This is what the article is pointing out. :)
 

A Macbook Pro

macrumors 6502
Aug 22, 2009
422
0
Oh yes it will definitely become the future. It will change laptops as we know them. Use it as a 11,13 or 15'' screen for portability and then when you get home, plug it into the keyboard dock (landscape or portrait) and use a magic mouse to do some ''real'' work. Then all it will need is things computers have now such as iSight and a microphone, and then we have ourselves a laptop killer. Use it as a desktop with a cinema display, use it as a laptop whenever your away and want to be as productive as possible, and use it as a tablet whenever you want the best form factor possible! EPIC WIN!
 

ct2k7

macrumors G3
Aug 29, 2008
8,361
3,434
London
Oh yes it will definitely become the future. It will change laptops as we know them. Use it as a 11,13 or 15'' screen for portability and then when you get home, plug it into the keyboard dock (landscape or portrait) and use a magic mouse to do some ''real'' work. Then all it will need is things computers have now such as iSight and a microphone, and then we have ourselves a laptop killer. Use it as a desktop with a cinema display, use it as a laptop whenever your away and want to be as productive as possible, and use it as a tablet whenever you want the best form factor possible! EPIC WIN!

The only problem is that I can't do heavy work on it :(
 

Robin4

macrumors 6502
Feb 6, 2010
355
26
RTD-NC
Thanks for the article. I agree with every word. Baby steps. This will start the ball rolling. I am oh so ready.
 

Jett0516

macrumors 65816
Mar 5, 2010
1,001
878
Lol the article is from Gizmodo which is a 90% Apple fanboyism site.

I like the iPad and I can see its potential but in no way it will replace a computer.
 

Fraaaa

macrumors 65816
Mar 22, 2010
1,081
0
London, UK
Lol the article is from Gizmodo which is a 90% Apple fanboyism site.

I like the iPad and I can see its potential but in no way it will replace a computer.

Don't consider the iPad itself. Think of a computer that works like an iPad. Don't you see in your vision of the future that computer will be easier to use, more intuitive, more user friendly?

This is the same thing that happened when computers OS turned from command lines to graphic user interface, and even before from switches and leds to the command lines OS.

The iPhone OS is just a baby now, the iPad too.
 

FrankieTDouglas

macrumors 68000
Mar 10, 2005
1,554
2,882
I walked into a video editing station yesterday, with about 10 monitors set up. They stretch along a rack 8 feet across and six feet high. All controlled with a single input device. So, the future will mean that I'll have to move all across that rack to touch on monitors in order to use them?
 

marksman

macrumors 603
Jun 4, 2007
5,764
5
He is right. I talked about this in another thread.

The distance computers have come in terms of ease of use and user-friendliness has been miniscule given the amount of time involved.

Most all computers are still too over-complicated and nerdtastic in their need for someone learned to help manage them at given times.

I am not sure why it has taken the computer industry so long to get close to a point where computers might actually just allow people to do stuff instead of forcing them to know a lot of stuff about it.

It would be like having a hammer that required you to know the entire history of hammers and how to properly build one, when all you want to do is push a nail through a piece of wood.

Having been one of the targeted tech geeks by friends, families and neighbors over the years, I would be much happier telling them, get device x, and you won't have to worry about that stuff.

I used to own an ISP in the early days of the internet. The convuluted machinations required to get people online was insane. While that process is easier today, the actual computer interfaces and usability and reliability are still only a few steps ahead of where they were back then.
 
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