Did Apple use the same iPhone/iPod platform on the iPad to cash in the App Store?

[thiagos]

I can't help but wonder and I have had this question for quite a while now, can the iPad support a full OS (example Snow Leopard). If so, do you think Apple used the same iPhone platform to profit on every software sold and at the same time trap their customers to invest money on the app store and not have a choice to use another tablet in the future?

For the people who are quick to judge and will probably respond rudely, please keep in mind that these are questions only, I'm in no shape or form accusing Apple of wrong-doing.

 

[samcraig]

I can't help but wonder and I have had this question for quite a while now, can the iPad support a full OS (example Snow Leopard). If so, do you think Apple used the same iPhone platform to profit on every software sold and at the same time trap their customers to invest money on the app store and not have a choice to use another tablet in the future?

For the people who are quick to judge and will probably respond rudely, please keep in mind that these are questions only, I'm in no shape or form accusing Apple of wrong-doing.

For a tablet device - the "easiest" and most logical was to build on the iPhone OS.

That being said - the iPad is primarily a media/content delivery system in which Apple is hoping/has made it pretty obvious that the content is to come from their iTunes store. (Music, Video, Apps, eBooks).

Nothing "new" here.

 

[Spudracer]

I can't help but wonder and I have had this question for quite a while now, can the iPad support a full OS (example Snow Leopard). If so, do you think Apple used the same iPhone platform to profit on every software sold and at the same time trap their customers to invest money on the app store and not have a choice to use another tablet in the future?

For the people who are quick to judge and will probably respond rudely, please keep in mind that these are questions only, I'm in no shape or form accusing Apple of wrong-doing.

I dunno, ya think Apple maybe had a business plan behind this product development? Interesting concept. Microsoft should try something similar.

 

[DotCom2]

Is this question for real?

 

[msduncan]

On the flip side, one could argue that they leveraged the app store and iphone OS to be able to have a huge library of applications already available and developed that will work on the iPad....thereby driving sales for the pad.

 

[Compile 'em all]

Can you please elaborate on what do you mean by running snow leopard on the iPad?

You have a multitouch device and a desktop interaction-based OS. How on earth do you expect people to use it?

You don't just "slap" an OS on a device and call it a day. Apple created an incredible multitouch-based OS that is the iPhone OS. When time came, it was only logical to use it to run on the iPad.

I still can't wrap my mind around why people would expect otherwise. How would YOU use a desktop OS on the iPad?

iPhone OS on the iPad IS snow leopard for multitouch.

 

[KyleKlink]

my two cents

Did Apple want to tie users down to the app store so they could make money? Do you really need an answer for that? Of course they did! And that's why I wont be purchasing an iPad. I applaud Apple for trying to make as much money as possible; that's the point of business. But I think Apple would do themselves a favor by opening up the iPad to outside sources for content. Not only do I believe they would move more hardware as a result, but it would also help the company's image.

(Everyone I know is either a hardcore Apple lover or they hate Apple with every bone in their body due to the iron fist with which they control their customers. Letting go of some of this control might lead some haters to change their mind about Apple, and it certainly wont do anything to harm the fanboy base.)

EDIT: typo.

 

[sassenach74]

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Did Apple want to tie users down to the app store so they could make money? Do you really need an answer for that? Of course they did! And that's why I wont be purchasing an iPad. I applaud Apple for trying to make as much money as possible; that's the point of business. But I think Apple would do themselves a favor by opening up the iPad to outside sources for content. Not only do I believe they would move more hardware as a result, but it would also help the company's image.

(Everyone I know is either a hardcore Apple lover or they hate Apple with every bone in their body due to the iron fist with which they control their customers. Letting go of some of this control might lead some haters to change their mind about Apple, and it certainly wont do anything to harm the fanboy base.)

EDIT: typo.

What exactly do you mean by "outside sources"?

As far as I'm aware anybody can become a developer and make apps, then sell them in the app store (within reason). Or do you mean you want Apple to unregulate the app store and let any old **** in?
Edit: Is that 'deregulate' or 'unregulate'........or neither haha

 

[flyguy206]

You don't have to buy an ipad if you don't want. the app store has more then enough apps to make most people happy so why do you need apps to run on the ipad that does not come in the app store?

 

[KyleKlink]

As far as I'm aware anybody can become a developer and make apps, then sell them in the app store (within reason). Or do you mean you want Apple to unregulate the app store and let any old **** in?
Edit: Is that 'deregulate' or 'unregulate'........or neither haha

Developers shouldn't have to go through the app store to sell content. Sure, it is a convenient marketplace, but do you think that is Apple's only reason behind using the app store?

What if I want to develop an app for use on the iPad and sell it independently? Why should I be forced to use the app store? On my iMac I can download software written by developers who sell their work through their web site. Why should the iPad be any different?

 

[aerospace]

Don't overestimate the profitability of the app store. Apple only gets a 30% cut of apps that cost money(most are free). The app store was designed to sell more iPhones they didn't build the iPhone so they could sell apps.

Same with ipad. Without apps the ipad would struggle against other tablets, but it's notmaking them rich. Selling 500,000 devices at at average of $650, every single month on the other hand...

 

[diabolic]

Developers shouldn't have to go through the app store to sell content. Sure, it is a convenient marketplace, but do you think that is Apple's only reason behind using the app store?

Apple wants as much control over the quality of the end user experience as they can get. Most developers I know like the App Store and the platform it provides.

Why should the iPad be any different?

Basing it on the already successful model of the iPhone/Touch makes a lot of sense from a business perspective. The end result is nicer because of the control Apple has, not in spite of it.

 

[KyleKlink]

Don't overestimate the profitability of the app store. Apple only gets a 30% cut of apps that cost money(most are free). The app store was designed to sell more iPhones they didn't build the iPhone so they could sell apps.

Same with ipad. Without apps the ipad would struggle against other tablets, but it's notmaking them rich. Selling 500,000 devices at at average of $650, every single month on the other hand...

Im not talking about profit, I'm talking about control. Apple can control, through the app store, what content is used on iPhones and iPads. A great example is sexual content. Though I find porn immoral and destructive to relationships, the libertarian in me says that no one has the right to deem it appropriate or inappropriate for others. Apple has decided for its customers that sexual content is inappropriate (though likely because they don't want it visible in the app store, something an outside "market" would prevent).

Would you care to provide an explanation for me as to why you think this type of control is a good thing?

 

[flyguy206]

Developers shouldn't have to go through the app store to sell content. Sure, it is a convenient marketplace, but do you think that is Apple's only reason behind using the app store?

What if I want to develop an app for use on the iPad and sell it independently? Why should I be forced to use the app store? On my iMac I can download software written by developers who sell their work through their web site. Why should the iPad be any different?

What you are saying does not make any sense. Why should apple allow you to make money of thier product and get nothing in return? does wal mart allow a street vender to sale their porduct in front of thier store.

 

[yyy]

Here is my theory: Apple wanted to compete with netbooks and the Kindle but they wanted a quick solution. If they chose to implement multi-touch on Mac OS X it would have taken them a long time and a lot of effort so the easiest solution was a giant iPod Touch. That way they get to make more money by selling App Store content and they have more control over the user because of the limitations of iPhone OS. 2 birds in 1 shot

 

[KyleKlink]

Basing it on the already successful model of the iPhone/Touch makes a lot of sense from a business perspective. The end result is nicer because of the control Apple has, not in spite of it.

Does every citizen of the world who is capable of owing an iPhone have an iPhone? If not, there is more money to be made if the correct choices are made.

As I stated above, I know many people who refuse to buy anything Apple because of the tight control they hold over the app store. Maybe Apple could sell more iPhones by letting the reins out a bit?

I fail to see how doing so would be detrimental to the user experience.

 

[KyleKlink]

Here is my theory: Apple wanted to compete with netbooks and the Kindle but they wanted a quick solution. If they chose to implement multi-touch on Mac OS X it would have taken them a long time and a lot of effort so the easiest solution was a giant iPod Touch. That way they get to make more money by selling App Store content and they have more control over the user because of the limitations of iPhone OS. 2 birds in 1 shot

Well said. The miscalculation, in my opinion, is that the iPod Touch and the iPad serve two different functions. Whereas the iPod Touch might be just fine with app store-only content, the iPad could really shine if it wasn't so tied down (and if the darn thing could multitask, too!).

 

[ViViDboarder]

First: Yes. Of course the iPad is a device powerful enough to run a full-featured OS. Apple wants it to run iPhone OS so they can use the extremely lucrative App Store.

Second: I would use Snow Leopard on an iPad just like I would use it on a computer. Probably the exact same way it's used on the new MacBooks that have multitouch gestures. I don't see how it matters. It would be great if it had dual functionality. Like a full boot to Snow Leopard and an instant on to iPhone OS. You could hit an icon and then have the iPad reboot to Snow Leopard or something.

Third: As a developer I do think the App Store is great. I also think that the fact that it's the ONLY source for apps on the iPhone is really crappy. If people want only trusted apps, then let them use the App Store. If people want to take more chances and get more out of their device, I would like to have another option. Apps Released in the App Store would have the benefit of more exposure, while apps released on alternate sources would have the benefit of less restrictions.

As someone who developer who wants to develop freeware or personal use software, I don't want to pay Apple $99/year just to have the "privilege".

So, if you think that the iPad running iPhone OS wasn't just to take advantage of the App Store's cash flow, you're kidding yourself. That said, it was probably the smartest decision for Apple to make. App Store is doing great. They don't want to kill their MacBook sales. So why not?

iPad doesn't compete with the iTouch or the MacBooks this way. If it ran a full OS I'd buy the iPad instead of a MacBook, and they know this.

 

[KyleKlink]

What you are saying does not make any sense. Why should apple allow you to make money of thier product and get nothing in return? does wal mart allow a street vender to sale their porduct in front of thier store.

Get nothing in return?! They sold the hardware, my friend. They made money there, didn't they?

Why doesn't Apple lock down the Mac, too? Developers are out there making money off of Apple's products by writing software for the Mac and selling it without sharing their profits with Apple.

Lay off the kool-aid.

 

[WLS]

Control is a good thing when it is necessary to prevent a toxic environment/ecosystem from developing. You mention sexual content and that is one of the biggest problems on the internet, that and cyber crime.
You say that you think a little should be allowed but it becomes a cancer.
point of example those Japanese anime that many like have become a source of cartoon child porn - really nasty stuff. it's a real problem in Japan and is spreading on the internet. Do your libertarian views result in your favoring child porn being published because you claim no one gets hurt? Doesn't it feed an addiction?
A lot of these people up in arms about Apples censorship just want to be able to download porn. It's an addiction.

 

[ViViDboarder]

What you are saying does not make any sense. Why should apple allow you to make money of thier product and get nothing in return? does wal mart allow a street vender to sale their porduct in front of thier store.

That's the worst analogy ever...

Does Toyota or Ford or any car company let you use their car for business? Does Microsoft let you sell Windows software? Does the company who built your house let companies sell you appliances for it?

Do these companies regulate what you can do with your products or who can make things for them? Nope. Not at all.

Also, the incentive for Apple is, software sells devices. Apple has had FAR MORE sales since the App Store. People don't buy apps because they have an iPhone, they buy an iPhone because of the Apps! Every iPhone app developed, even for another store, would make the iPhone a better device and help Apple with device sales.

 

[KyleKlink]

Control is a good thing when it is necessary to prevent a toxic environment/ecosystem from developing. You mention sexual content and that is one of the biggest problems on the internet, that and cyber crime.
You say that you think a little should be allowed but it becomes a cancer.
point of example those Japanese anime that many like have become a source of cartoon child porn - really nasty stuff. it's a real problem in Japan and is spreading on the internet. Do your libertarian views result in your favoring child porn being published because you claim no one gets hurt? Doesn't it feed an addiction?
A lot of these people up in arms about Apples censorship just want to be able to download porn. It's an addiction.

Child porn is against the law, and I have no idea where you got the idea that I said it hurts no one; I never once said that. Of course it shouldn't be legal, but nice attempt at a straw man.

Apple has decided that sexual content should not be allowed on the iPhone. They also have removed some political content as well because it did not fit their definition of "appropriate." Who is Apple to make this decision for us?

 

[ViViDboarder]

Control is a good thing when it is necessary to prevent a toxic environment/ecosystem from developing. You mention sexual content and that is one of the biggest problems on the internet, that and cyber crime.
You say that you think a little should be allowed but it becomes a cancer.
point of example those Japanese anime that many like have become a source of cartoon child porn - really nasty stuff. it's a real problem in Japan and is spreading on the internet. Do your libertarian views result in your favoring child porn being published because you claim no one gets hurt? Doesn't it feed an addiction?
A lot of these people up in arms about Apples censorship just want to be able to download porn. It's an addiction.

What the heck? This is totally irrelevant!

How can you compare a Google Voice app for the iPhone to child porn? Nice FUD.

 

[diabolic]

I fail to see how doing so would be detrimental to the user experience.

Try digging through the app store on an Android phone, and then imagine your parents trying to do it.

 

[KyleKlink]

Try digging through the app store on an Android phone, and then imagine your parents trying to do it.

Let the app store remain filtered, then. But open up the ability for iPhone/iPad users to download and install content from other sources. the main problem is not that the apps within the app store are being filtered (though that is a problem), but rather the problem is that it is the ONLY source for apps.