Apple tablet: Thoughts?

[PatrickW]

Because Flash is open source to some extent, it is vulnerable to hacking and other security threats. If the iPhone were to have Flash support in its current form, the User's account information, iTunes transactional processes and other vulnerable information is at risk. A solution is underway, but the core issue is security related as I understand it. In order to close the security gap that Flash support would expose, a new, more robust and closed version of Flash is required. I think that Adobe and Apple are at odds over who should pay for this added development cost and implementation.

Flash is also largely blind to search engine optimization. When you jailbreak your iPhone, you also open a huge door to security threats. This is the situation as I understand it.

Closed source does not equate to increased security. In fact in many cases, a properly maintained package of software, reaps rewards of increased security through open source, because you have more eyes evaluating the source to spot vulnerabilities and patch them. Security through obscurity is not good security.

Also flash is not open source.

 

[PatrickW]

One last thing and then I'll shut up:

Regardless of why Apple doesn't support flash, it seems ludicrous to me that with the proliferation of flash on the web that you can introduce a made for the internet device without flash support. Sure there are other ways to do what flash does, but a large percentage of sites and services are currently using flash.

This smells of Bluray to me. Apple defiantly stomping their foot like an angry child and refusing to conform to the industry standard just because they don't like it.

The iPad isn't a pro level device, therefore it's targeted at consumers correct? Shouldn't a product geared toward consumers be easy to use and work with existing standards as to please the maximum amount of consumers?

The iPad is an engineered device. It has some key targets. Obviously price was a key factor. Price is likely why things like SD card readers, and USB ports and cameras are lacking. While yes it would be nice, axing these extras keeps the costs down to the desired price point.

The software is also engineered to tight specs. By eliminating flash, which is processor intensive you spare the battery. It would be shitty to have the 10 hour battery life, but only 8 hours when you watch flash videos.

 

[Gavin Greenwalt]

You don't have to use the iPad with AT&T. It's sold as unlocked. It will work with any 3G carrier willing to issue it a data plan. I bet here in the USA that T-Mobile and others will be scrambling to offer up some deals. The AT&T plans are also the no-contract, pay as you go prices. I wouldn't be surprised to see cheaper offerings if paired with existing phone plans.

AT&T and T-Mobile have incompatible antennas. Unlocked just means "contract free" in this case.

If you want to use an unlocked T-Mobile phone with an AT&T sim card you'll only get 2G and vice versa. I have a pile of T-Mobile phones at work on my desk that attest to this fact. (AT&T customer).

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

AT&T and T-Mobile have incompatible antennas. Unlocked just means "contract free" in this case.

If you want to use an unlocked T-Mobile phone with an AT&T sim card you'll only get 2G and vice versa. I have a pile of T-Mobile phones at work on my desk that attest to this fact. (AT&T customer).

I'm going to have to disagree here somewhat. I know plenty of people using hacked (jailbreak) iPhones with T-Mobile and they get full 3G operation. It's true that T-Mobile and AT&T use differing antenna designs, but there are phones and other devices that are fully compatible with both networks and others; such as the BlackBerry Bold 9700 -- buying the unlocked version works equally well on either T-Mobile or AT&T with all features. It's identical for either carrier. According to the specs released in the developer info, the iPad should be compatible with any HSPA 3G network. So that means AT&T, T-Mobile... I'm pretty sure it won't be compatible with EV-DO 3G such as Verizon or Sprint. All things considered, AT&T is still the best HSPA 3G network in the USA. T-Mobile 3G coverage is a joke, kinda like they have very spotty coverage of about 12 major city markets and that's it. Getting actual 3G operation on T-Mobile with an actual T-Mobile phone is often impossible anyway.

I suppose we'll see when it comes out, but the design of the iPhone is pretty universal and was not designed to cater to any specific carrier, not even AT&T. Many of these fears were expressed when the iPhone was first released. Differing antenna designs in international markets, etc.. But if you buy an iPhone in the USA, it's fully functional on a carriers in China, Europe, South America, etc..

I bet the iPad works just fine with any HSPA 3G carrier that supports micro-SIM devices. Considering Jobs said in the keynote that this should be the case for international users. That's basically like saying it will work without completely stepping on the toes of AT&T who gave them the deal to announce in the keynote.

 

[Hrvoje Simic]

The software is also engineered to tight specs. By eliminating flash, which is processor intensive you spare the battery. It would be shitty to have the 10 hour battery life, but only 8 hours when you watch flash videos.

Again, very considerate - to the manufacturer.

If cars were made following this principle they would have "increased mileage" marketing but rpm's limited to 2000 and no air conditioning. In my opinion, prolonging battery life at this cost is ludicrous.

 

[David Wyatt]

Flash is very demanding on many processors - my laptop's fan wheezes with over-exertion everytime it tries to play a Flash video (which can be really distracting!). Worse still are those damned Flash adverts that are everywhere these days - until I discovered the Flashblock plug-in for Firefox my laptop's fan would wheeze into life at pretty much every page on the web :-(

Personally I can't wait for HTML5 to catch on...

 

[ipad-apps]

I agree with David. Flash is very demanding. Sometimes, my core duo laptop slows down due to some flash videos....
Maybe that is the reason why Flash was not supported natively in ipad.

Just fyi, there is another place dedicated for sharing ipad apps ideas ...
http://ipad-apps.me/

 

[Mike Gross]

Adobe has moved away from flash on embedded devices to certifying certain processors. This could easily be the main reason why. Good for adobe in some ways (helps guarantee some consistency) but bad in other ways.

 

[Sheldon Neill]

Flash is very demanding on many processors - my laptop's fan wheezes with over-exertion everytime it tries to play a Flash video (which can be really distracting!). Worse still are those damned Flash adverts that are everywhere these days - until I discovered the Flashblock plug-in for Firefox my laptop's fan would wheeze into life at pretty much every page on the web :-(

Personally I can't wait for HTML5 to catch on...

Sounds like its time to upgrade the laptop.

In respect to HTML5, I too agree.

 

[Steven Caesare]

If this thing doesn't have the horspower/battery life to run Flash, you don't want to be doing any serious video work on it.

-sc