iPad's lack of Flash/USB/Bluetooth is all about lock-in (updated)
Summary: The real reason Apple won't allow Flash on the iPhone/iPod/iPad isn't because it's buggy or because it's technically difficult - it's all about Apple Lock-In.
I call B.S. on Apple.
The real reason Apple won't allow Flash on the iPhone/iPod/iPad isn't because it's buggy or because it's technically difficult. It's the same reason Apple doesn't put a standard USB port or expandable memory on it's devices - it's all about Apple Lock-In.
Flash is a huge threat to the App Store because with it you can play games, run apps and even build an "app store" that competes with Apple's.
The same goes for USB, Apple doesn't want you connecting a flash drive to your iPhone/iPod/iPad because they want you to get your content from iTunes, not to simply copy or play it from an external drive.
That's why Apple uses an expensive proprietary 30-pin "dock connector" instead of USB. They get to sell expensive cables (there's no OTA syncing of content, natch) and they get to license the connectors to legions of third parties clamoring to make peripherals for the device. More importantly though, Apple wants to sell millions of $69 keyboard docks and maintain control over what is passed across the dock connector port.
The same goes for expandable memory...
Hoping for a Bluetooth keyboard for your iPad? Don't hold your breath. The iPad will not likely work with a Bluetooth keyboard if it's anything like the iPhone and iPod before it. Of the 28 or so Bluetooth profiles in existence, Apple only supports the five least threatening profiles on the iPhone and iPod touch -- and the keyboard profile (HID and/or SPP) isn't one of them.
Update: Phil Schiller told PC World's Tim Bajarin that the iPad "works with a Bluetooth keyboard." This would be a complete departure from the iPhone and iPod touch which don't include the Bluetooth keyboard profile. But Great News if true. Will the BT keyboard support make it to the iPhone and iPod touch then to?
Blocking the HID and SPP Bluetooth profiles prevents transferring files to/from your iPhone/iPod/iPad and effectively eliminates tethering over Bluetooth too. [This remains to be seen. -Ed]
This is the same reason that Apple doesn't include an accessible file system on the iPhone/iPod/iPad. Apple doesn't want you to store any content on your device that didn't come from iTunes.
This is the same reason why Apple doesn't include an expandable memory slot on its devices. Transferring your own music, movies and videos directly to any Apple device is a no-no.
Apple wants you to purchase (or rent) all of your content via iTunes and anything that threatens that model is a threat to its business. I realize that Apple has an obligation to create profit for its stockholders but let's just drop the Flash is buggy charade and call a spade a spade. Apple will probably never implement Flash, USB, expandable memory or Bluetooth transfer profiles in the iPhone/iPod/iPad because its a threat to its profit and control.
If you want this type of technology don't complain, buy something else.
Photo: CrunchGear
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Talkback
Becoming what you hate
Here is an example of my latest Apple experience: went to the local store to replace my ipod shuffle with another one. I was really happy to see they got even smaller because the one I am using is the small square on that I can connect to my wrap around headphones while jogging or working out. But when I saw that the charger was $28 and the headphones (which is proprietary and must be used with the ipod) were $18 which although came with the ipod was the least expensive part of the proposition. You need all three and if you lose the all important ear buds (with controls built in) you are SOL. I have no desire to be "locked in".
Good post - it's a precarious balance they create
Apple is becoming the new evil empire
Apple knows how to leech your wallet. It's their single greatest contribution to technology.
Becomming?
Remember the Apple II series? Such a long, long life that series had, thanks in no small part to third party providers of add-in hardware and software.
buying three for more?
anything that I didn't want because of something I bought.
I'd like to hear an example of this.
hmm
have you read any of it??
or is it a case of the fanboy blindness
anyway you want an example heres one
i paid 70 dollars on my 3rd generation ipod shuffle and i hate the headphones that come with the damned thing
i mean it
absolutely hate them
i mean that is i hate all apples headphones
its something about the shape of them that makes them constantly fall out of my ears
and its not just me i have been asking arou8nd and apparently this is quite common
now with any ANY other mp3 player it would be no problem
i would just go out and buy some of those nice ergonomically shaped scullcandy earbuds right??
well not with my shuffle
oh no its all proprietary with the stupid annoying as fuck confusing as hell user friendly as a rusty hand grenade one button controller on the headphones
anyway you wanted an example well there you go
not that it will change your mind
fanboy blindness i have found to be almost incurable
What a crock!
need to do some research.
Apple isn't "locking" anyone in. Apple DOES use standard, non-
proprietary formats, BTW.
They used DRM for music, because the music "industry" was afraid of
piracy. A few years down the road? They see they're making a profit and
DRM is gradually removed. The same thing may happen with iBooks for
the iPad.
The 30-pin Dock Connector? What's the problem? It handles syncing,
audio, VIDEO and power simultaneously. Sorry to pop the Apple-hate
balloon, but USB CANNOT do all those things and certainly not at the
same time.
As for accessories, there are plenty of third-party things that do as much
and often more than comparable Apple products, for less. There are
MANY products which can recharge an iPod via USB and a Dock
Connector cable (included with an iPod/iPhone/iPod touch, BTW), for
instance.
I DO agree with the iPod shuffle headphone thing. That was just plain
dumb, BUT third-parties DID introduce iPod shuffle controllers that let
you use any headphones you want, not just Apple's crappy-sounding
earbuds.
Again, do some research and buy something besides the Apple thing.
The only lock-in there is is a lack of curiosity and imagination. I don't
believe there are third-party solutions for that.
One more thing...
better audio signal to a hi-fi, etc..
Again, USB can't do that.
The Dock Connector is FAR more robust and flexible than USB.
Apple is fast approaching the M$ threshold
FBI: Flashers Boycotting iPad
So this is what happened to Linux
This message
Not Only That
The author brings alot of valid points, actually they're fact. The only thing left is the fact that they somehow manage to lock into AT&T for everything they do, and that surprises me that they can shut out the other major wireless carriers and not get in trouble...
Only that
Apple doesn't enjoy any equivalent monopoly position. Yes, they are dominant in the portable music player department. But you can put any music you like on your iPod, not just music you purchase from iTunes. And the iTunes client runs on Windows, so you don't need to own a Mac to manage your iPod.
um
#2 You can use the ipod headphones with anything, and, you can select
many 3rd party headphones that will operate the controls.
Feel free to lose them without blaming anyone but yourself. And then
buy a 3rd party version to feel like you're not "locked in" OMG!
Ummm (Part 2)
2) He was talking about the latest version of the shuffle, WHICH HAS PROPRIETARY HEADPHONES . . . You can't buy just anything and hook them up to it . . .
If you're going to try to correct someone, at least get your facts straight, or properly read the article!!
Very cheap these day....
YEah, if you want the cheap ones that fall apart.
The one good thing is that more and more Car makers are including a USB port on their in dash stereo systems, allowing you to charge that way . . .And we CAN thank Apple for that . . .
You don't need Apple power adapters
Yes there are lots of cheap knockoffs of the iPod/iPhone cable out there. But given the number that you can buy for the price of one apple cable, they're still a good deal.
On the original subject ...
No USB cable port? I wasn't planning on buying an iPad any time soon (and I own macbooks, iPods and an iPhone). Now I'm ertain I won't be buying one.
The author is right--this is about lockin. I don't mind the "walled garden" ecosystem on the iPhone so much because it's not my primary device (I don't browse with my iPhone if I can possibly avoid it). But I expect to do much more on a device with a 9+ inch screen.
But I'm not going to whine about it, I just won't buy an iPad. And frankly, I think the average user these days doesn't really care that much about lockin, as long as they can get what they want for a price they consider reasonable. I'm not expecting a big Apple backlash any time soon.
I thinkwe all got sidetracked on the Power cable thing . . .
And I agree with you guys. This IS lock-in, and it was bake din from the start.
In another blog, someone mentioned the 'Walled Garden', and I asked him if the Garden was to keep others out or him in . . .
Frankly, I'm waiting on the Asus unit. I have a MyPal 626, and it's a very well built and designed unit. I'd like to see what they can come up with in this area.