TechnoRogue.com

I have now had my iPad for one full week. I must say I absolutely love this device. The display is gorgeous. The larger screen size allows for easier typing as well as viewing. Yes, it’s basically a really big iPhone or iPod Touch — and it’s completely worth it! Even the battery life is impressive. iBooks is a great way to read an eBook, and I may even start reading more now because of it. I’m also looking forward to more of my favorite iPhone apps being ported over to the iPad. AND where else could you get The Uncanny X-men #1 for just $1.99 — I know it’s only a digital copy, but thank you Marvel Comics!

I’ve heard various comments from others stating “it’s not really a netbook”, or “it won’t replace my laptop ever”. It’s not supposed to people! I consider the iPad to be a supplemental device, augmenting my media consumption experience, as well as offering some productivity assistance. Although I can do a lot of things on my iPhone, it is the larger display that makes it a hell of a lot easier and more enjoyable. Checking email and getting tech news in the morning while my eyes are still adjusting to the utter lack of sleep is now better than the iPhone could ever make it.

The point of this device is for quick web surfing, emailing, and other tasks where you’d like a larger screen but don’t want to drag out the laptop (or drag your ass out of bed to go to your laptop), and the iPhone just isn’t big enough. I know some people who plan on using the iPad as a “laptop replacement” for the majority of their day. That’s great for them and if it works out for them, that’s even better!

But is the device “magical and revolutionary”? I’m not sure I’d go that far, but it’s pretty fucking close! I don’t think the iPad is quite revolutionary…yet. However, it will be the absolute foundation for the upcoming revolution in this arena of computing. I’m looking forward to this revolution and all the wonderful tech geeky goodness it will bring.

In a recent article from TiPB.com, “5000 Sex-based iPhone Apps Removed…“, it appears that Apple has laid down the law regarding Apps having any form of sexual content. Really? Based on my most recent visit to the app store, just an hour ago, this doesn’t appear to be the case. Apple’s inconsistencies with respect to the App store continue. Ok, there are a few problems with this new policy (I’m sure there are more than just a few…but I’m only going to discuss a few).

Firstly, why not implement this policy across the board? As I write this, I can still get the Playboy app. There is NO way this app doesn’t have “sexual content”. I’m even considering spending $0.99 on the app just to prove a point. If Apple is going to have a policy like this, then enforce it fairly and equally. Does Playboy give a special kickback to Apple to keep the app in the store? Has Apple just not got to this app yet? Has TiPB.com exaggerated the number of apps to be removed? I don’t know for sure yet, but will look into this further.

Secondly, why not let the consumer determine what they find offensive and non-offensive? There are plenty of apps I consider to be utterly useless and “offensive”, so I protest it by not purchasing the app. I don’t care if it’s in the app store, or even if it’s in the “Featured” or “What’s Hot” lists. Congratulations to the developer for getting it on the list and making some money! You didn’t get my money, so no skin off my nose (or no deductions off my iTunes credit, as the case may be).

Thirdly, if Apple is going to enforce policies such as “No images of women in bikinis” or “Nothing that can be sexually arousing”, then what about medical/educational apps that deal with anatomy? Yes I know anatomy texts rarely have women in bikinis…in fact, they usually show A LOT more. So will these apps be pulled, or will they be saved because they are for educational purposes? I certainly hope the latter is the case. I actually have a few of the bikini/model apps because I use them as reference models when drawing. Sure I could look up pictures via Safari (provided Apple doesn’t pull Safari because it can contain “sexually arousing” images), but it is a lot easier to simply go to an app and find a picture that works. What about the “Art Model” apps currently available in the store? Will those be pulled as well? So “sexy” apps are bad, but “farting” apps are good? Not in my opinion.

Lastly, and here’s the biggest problem I see with this recent policy — if Apple continues to cripple the content available to the consumer, then the consumer will find other means to get what they want, whether it be via different devices, or un-crippling the current device. It’s almost like Apple is forcing us to jailbreak our phones if we want some form of “adult” content. Don’t forget Apple — Safari is on our device and we can easily find that content you are so eager to block. Why not just make a full “18 and over” section to the app store and let the people decide what apps they want to get.

In a recent article I read on Wired.com “Apple and Lables Hope to Reinvent Digital Album as Something People Buy“, they discuss how Apple and the major music labels are working on increasing full album sales, rather than the current single track that have been the staple of digital music retailers. I’m old enough to have seen quite a few format mediums come and go — I even remember 8-tracks! I was very excited when CD’s came out — I could now just forward or rewind to my favorite tracks on the album! No more fast forwarding or rewinding in small bursts, hoping I didn’t shoot pass the track I wanted to hear. CD’s solved all those problems, and I began growing my collection as soon as I could. I relied on birthdays, Christmas, and good ol’ BMG and Columbia House to help my collection grow as quickly as possible. I now have over 1,000 CD’s, which I’m sure isn’t as impressive as others, but decent enough for me.

And then the .mp3 came along…and this changed everything even more! With .mp3′s and a CD burner, I could make my own CD’s with just the music I wanted, or CD’s for certain moods/events (I don’t know how many CD’s I have labeled “Driving Mix – Fast”). Of course, this was also A LOT easier than making mix tapes as everything was now digital, and more easily manipulated. This was a technological advancement that made life great for us music aficionados.

And then the iPod was born, and with it as iTunes and other like services were born, I could buy my music directly in digital format. Even better, I could get it a la carte! I no longer had to buy a CD for two tracks, and 12 “filler” tracks for $14.99+. This was brilliant! Just the music I wanted. Just the good stuff, no crap. But then I realized I was missing something — all the album artwork, liner notes, and lyrics. Damn! Sure, I can get the album cover from iTunes, or other sources, but I’m still missing some of the other artwork that goes into the CD insert. I have an iPhone app that looks for lyrics, so not all is lost there, but I still don’t have the liner notes. Damn again! I’m sure a lot of people don’t care, but I actually enjoy reading about who the band wishes to thank, and what strings the guitarist is playing, or the keyboards used. I’m a music geek like that.

So now Apple and the major labels are looking to revive album sales by offering a digital version of liner notes and all that good stuff. Excellent! I can now read through trivia about the band and see who they’re thanking…if I buy the album. For some bands I like, this isn’t a problem as I enjoy the majority of the work. But what am I going to do if I only want a few songs from an album, but still want some of the liner notes? Sure, I didn’t get liner notes before unless I bought the full CD, but technology has changed A LOT about music — how it’s written, how it’s performed, how it’s recorded, how it’s produced, and of course, how it’s distributed.

Which is more enticing to buy — the digital “LP” or the digital “45″? Are the liner notes important to most people? Will they have an option to get all the “extras” for an extra price? And if I buy a digital “LP”, will my iPod or iPhone be able to display this new information to me? Wouldn’t it be great if you could flip through the “CD insert” on your iPhone using Apple’s Cover Flow approach? But please let me buy just the tracks I want and get the Insert separately if I decide I want it. Either way, it’s money being spent. I’m willing to help stimulate the economy, but give me options to buy what I want…within reason, of course >:-)