iPad

The more I think about it, the fact that Steve jobs is so gitty about the iPad is a little unsettling. He’s a control freak, which, on one hand is great. Him being so particular about his companies direction means brilliant technological innovations are pursued with an uncompromising fervor. Great for end users who appreciate an experience far beyond what other consumers may consider.

But there’s a dark side to this control. There’s a maniacally self-centered quality that requires me to take a second look. I mean, don’t get me wrong – I think Apple may have hit a home run for many, but just not for me. Remember Apple is a publicly traded entity and in being so, must protect their profitability Malcolm X style (by any means necessary). As much as we’d like to think of Apple as our all seeing, all knowing friend, sign of decency in an indecent world; unless you’re a shareholder/stakeholder we may be a little mistaken.

I think their massive jubilation over this product is because they’ve finally achieved a way to retain massive amounts of control over the entire creation, supply, and delivery of everything related to the iPad, its usefulness, and its media. The iPhone is another story. The mobile phone market isn’t one that I would tout for it’s democracy or openness so, for them to make me operate under a set of preconditions to use a mobile phone is nothing new to me. But, a computer like device I don’t feel should be held to the same reigns a mobile phone should be.

My concern relates to the iPad’s openness or, the lack thereof. Sure it’s got the ability to surf the web using THEIR blazingly fast Safari web browser and proprietary A4 chip. I understand I can buy movies using THEIR iTunes store, apps using THEIR appstore, and ebooks using THEIR ibookstore. Of course, the UI is gorgeous in every way. Sure the fit and finish of the product is what we’ve come to expect from the good wizards at Cupertino, but where do I fit into THEIR equation? Doesn’t sound like A?+A?= Me?

What if I want to use software that doesn’t want to get approved by the fabled gate-keeping elves that preside over the appstore. What if I wanted to manage multiple tasks and background processes while I say, listen to music as I compose an email? Or, lets just say I, heaven forbid, don’t want to buy a show from iTunes, but rather watch free content via Netflix streaming or Hulu. You mean to tell me I can’t do any of these things?

Those are real concerns I have about the iPad and don’t know if it’s positives will out weigh those definite pitfalls.

What do others think?