Absolutely. But here's what seems apparent to me. Apple is, almost without question, the #1 tech company of the 00's. (2000-2009). Due to the success of the iPod range, iPhone, etc. But there's no synergy between any of their products, there's very little web presence, and in this decade, the web is the most crucial tool. Their closed-nature means they're always gonna hit a brick wall sooner or later. Apple were headed for trouble even with Jobs there. Their main market, the music industry hates them and they're about to get bitchslapped by Google Music and the upcoming launch of Spotify in the US. It's already happened here in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. Spotify's growth is insane. Who the fuck needs iTunes when you have Spotify and more important, Spotify Mobile? The only downside to that is the cost. Which I think, is where Google Music comes in and offers the same service with more functionality for free.
The inter-connectedness of Google's products is too much for Apple to compete with. They can't compete with Search (an important factor because of course Google can basically predict the future, where people's interests and frustations are based upon analysis of search results). They can't compete with YouTube, where again the analysis of search and statistics basically DEFINE the entire planet in every aspect. They can't compete with Maps, whose location statistics are invaluable in terms of what locations are popular, which is a big part of their upcoming "Google Deals" application, offering deals and coupons to visitors of businesses and helping to provide relevant search content. They can't compete with Gmail. And, as I've said from the start - they can't compete with Android in terms of it's business model and they will be relegated to a minority market share like they have been with OSX.
One of the main differences between Apple and Google as I see it, is that Apple releases things too early. The iPad ain't good enough. It just isn't. I brought one back from the States last May for my cousin. Last week, he sold it. It wasn't getting used. It's not powerful enough for any serious tasks. We had hoped to use it professionally with the band. But the only decent thing we got out of it, was ONE bassline that's gonna be on a track on our new album. There's too much latency to use it for professional audio. I guess because they didn't put a decent soundchip in there. And a lot of the music apps suffer because the filesystem isn't open. There's no easy way to load up your own sounds in sampler apps, etc. So he sold it. I've heard the same complaints from people in different fields. It's too closed to be useful in many ways. It only excels at SIMPLE tasks, and consuming content rather than creating it.
Android tablets are the future for the same reason Android phones are. The open nature. Example - have you used the WiiRemote app? It let's you use a WiiMote as the control interface for any Android app. The other day, I was playing emulators on my G2 using the Wii Classic Controller (basically looks like a SNES controller). Imagine doing something like on the XOOM - it would be epic. I mean, sure you can probably do this on iOS but you have to jailbreak it, then open up the filesystem via SSH to put ROMs in specific folders and all this other shit which most people aren't gonna do. Android is open enough whereby anyone can write a driver to make hardware work and then it's right there. There's a million ways that can be used. With the USB inputs, you just need a simple USB host driver and Android can then support any USB device on the planet with the right drivers. Unlike Apple who force you to use THEIR small range of accessories and what not.
Yes, Android tablets will take some time to overcome the iPad. For sure. It'll take at least a year. But it WILL happen. The first Android tablet isn't out yet. I don't count the Galaxy Tab or others like the Notion Ink because they don't have Honeycomb and aren't sanctioned by Google. So it makes me think back to September 08, a month before the G1 came out. The tech world was buzzing about a new operating system, but we all knew it was going to take a couple of years to become a threat to anyone. And look where we're at now. I predict the same for Android tablets, but in a shorter space of time. It's the same deal. A number game. A range of great hardware from the likes of Moto, HTC, Samsung, LG, Sony etc.
I think it's inevitable at this point. The problem with Apple is that they always think they can take on the world alone. And because of that, they are getting trapped inside their own box and not thinking outside of it. They aren't open to any other ways of thinking - it's their way or the highway. They've used the market share advantage in the music industry to try and force their methods onto other companies who have had to comply. Like I said, the music industry HATES them. Whenever I talk to execs and people at labels I hear the same thing. I can only imagine the same applies in other areas. And it has been pissing people off for the better part of the last decade. It's about to come back and bite them in the ass.
This is so fucking true. It's been said before, but Jobs operates like the leader of a cult, and the fanboys lap it up. He's a master of language, subtle body language, and manipulating what people believe. Distorting the truth for his own gains.
I've seen and heard so many Apple fans repeating his phrases verbatim. Like some sort of mantra. It's pretty disturbing.
