The release of Apple’s new MacBook Pro with Retina Display, and the discussion regarding its proprietary, difficult to expand nature (as found by iFixit when they tore down the MBPR), has triggered some thoughts on where personal computing is headed. Continue reading “Where personal computing is headed in the next 10 years”
Why Apple is evil: Claiming that jailbreaking caused an iPad to dangerously overheat
This is a disturbing one.
A reader of The Tech Report has reported that his iPad’s charging cable melted, and the iPad itself got dangerously hot – to the point that he reflexively dropped it, causing the screen to crack.
So, he took it into his local Apple Store, expecting a replacement.
But that didn’t happen.
The Apple Store rep noticed a Cydia icon on the screen. At that point, the reader was told that his device was completely not covered under warranty, and that the crack also meant that it wasn’t covered – never mind that the crack was caused by the overheating incident.
Here’s the thing. Let’s say that the iPad did overheat due to software. It should still have thermal protection circuits to protect users from fire hazards. The fact that those failed means that Apple should at the very least make this go away, because otherwise it’s bad PR. Oh, wait. Apple didn’t make it go away, and now it’s bad PR time.
The other thing is… Apple has a burden of proof, under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, that the jailbreaking caused the machine to fail. If they can’t prove it, then they’ll be forced to replace the iPad.
Seriously, Apple, this is just getting ridiculous. (And there’ll be another article later today.)
Why Apple is evil: Allowing AT&T to screw iPad customers badly
I almost didn’t cover this one, except Apple contributed to it.
AT&T decided to make the $30 unlimited data plan unavailable for the iPad, unless you already have the plan by June 7. Instead, they’ll have a $25 2 gig data plan.
Talk about a bait and switch…
But, you’ve still got time to get an iPad 3G before they do that, and get on the true unlimited plan, right?
Wrong.
Apple pulled the iPad 3G from the Apple Store.
Great job, Apple.
Update 2010-06-02 20:42Z: Turns out, not only that, but Apple’s pushed back pending iPad 3G orders to June 7. I think it’s safe to say that Apple’s evil bit is set on this one.
Source: Slashdot
Why Apple is evil: Not taking legal tender for their products
First things first, yes, I’m aware that “legal tender” is only required to be accepted to settle debts, and as the iPad is not provided until payment is made, Apple isn’t required to accept cash.
So, this is in the aftermath of a previous post, about people getting lifetime bans from buying iPads for buying too many. When that story broke, there were suggestions all over the place to just use cash.
Well, they actually went to the extent of banning cash (and gift card, apparently) sales.
Seriously, Apple, if people want to resell your item, what’s so wrong with that?
Source: Boing Boing
Why Apple is evil: Stealing ideas… from Microsoft.
So, in 2007, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates were interviewed at All Things Digital 5. One of the topics was the future of computing. Bill Gates… spelled out exactly how the iPad today works, and predicted the death of the PC. Steve Jobs was sticking to a “personal computers will never die” stance, with slave devices to work with the PC.
Now? iPad and iPhone all the way.
Go figure.
Oh, and before anyone complains… yes, I know, Microsoft stole from Apple in the 1980s… and the 1990s… and the 2000s… but what it does mean is that Apple’s “revolutionary” computing idea… was pushed by Microsoft three years ago. Apple isn’t nearly as revolutionary as they claim, they just have better execution than Microsoft.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuhHIqJyjY0
Source: Gizmodo
Why Apple is evil: Calling for an app, and then rejecting it when someone actually makes it
Sorry about the lack of updates, I’m trying not to make stuff up, and stick to the facts. Sometimes there’s less news, so I won’t post if there’s nothing to post. But, now there is something to post. And this one’s practically kicking puppies evil.
Steve Jobs has publicly expressed interest in something like HyperCard on the iPad, and calling for someone to write it.
So, the logical thing to do… would be to write it.
Right?
Wrong. Apple will reject it, even if you work with them. What a good way to ensure goodwill among your developers – publicly call for them to develop something, and then reject it.
Source: Slashdot
Why Apple is evil: Firing engineers for showing your co-founder (who you still pay) a prototype
I’ll keep this one short, there’s not much to say.
Apple engineer gets iPad 3G. Apple engineer waits until wifi launch date to show Woz, and shows Woz. Apple engineer gets fired for that.
Great job, you just fired someone for showing a prototype to a person who is so critical to your company, it wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for his hardware designs. I think you can let THAT particular NDA violation slide. Or just not make it a violation in the first place.
Source: Gizmodo
Why Apple is evil: Lifetime bans from buying iPads, for buying too many
Honestly, this is just ridiculous – turning away paying customers because they’ve bought too much of your product.
I’m not joking. “Protocol Snow” was buying iPads and reselling them outside of the US, and apparently reached a lifetime limit on iPads. So, he has a lifetime ban from ever buying another iPad.
There’ll be another post later today, to make up for yesterday’s lack of a post.
Source: The Register
What Apple used to stand for, and what they stand for today
What they used to stand for: Clever hacks, exploration, creativity, making stuff, freedom, designed to benefit the hacker and the user
What they stand for today: Consumerism, restriction, walled gardens, control, designed to benefit the content producer
Best symbolism of the former? The Apple II. The lid isn’t even screwed down, just pops right off. BASIC, and in some versions (depending on available space,) an assembler and disassembler in ROM. Manuals with schematics and source code.
Best symbolism of the latter? The iPad. Sealed tight, Apple doesn’t even swap the battery, they replace the entire unit. Programming is only if you pay to play, and even then, your code has to be approved by Apple. Allegedly, DRM baked straight into the CPU, so Apple can in theory control every single piece of code that you run on it.
Which would you prefer?