Apple isn't the one doing flash wrong, Adobe is. How is it Apples fault that Adobe doesn't know how to program properly on Apple hardware? That's nonsense. Rather than delay the release of the iPad for a few months while Adobe works on something that probably won't work right, how about apple makes a bold decision like not adding flash support? It makes perfect sense.
And you keep implying that the internet has to change for the ipad. And guess what? It will! So many websites have become iPhone-compatible in the last few years, and it will happen to the iPad as well.
Shouldn't you program FOR the standard instead of expecting the standard to change because you're making too much money on the App Store? Apple is making all the moves of the Parasite, my friends. They're playing you all for fools.
Apple isn't the one doing flash wrong, Adobe is. How is it Apples fault that Adobe doesn't know how to program properly on Apple hardware? That's nonsense. Rather than delay the release of the iPad for a few months while Adobe works on something that probably won't work right, how about apple makes a bold decision like not adding flash support? It makes perfect sense.
It doesn't matter who is doing it wrong. Even if I was absolutely certain that Apple had valiantly tried, for it's true and noble followers, everything it could while the evil Adobe corporation spit in their faces and laughed mockingly in their faces(while also working with everyone else and being displeased overall with Apple's decision to keep Flash off the iPad), then it wouldn't matter. The iPad would be a BAD DEVICE, and I shouldn't care whether or not it was actually Apple's fault. It would just be a bad device, despite all of Apple's efforts, and it's too bad that it didn't turn out good enough to be worth purchasing.
And you keep implying that the internet has to change for the ipad.
No, I keep saying that anyone who thinks that the entire internet can, should, and will change for the iPad are drooling morons that don't understand that products should work in the real world, and not some magical fantasy land you made up to make some technology company appear more capable than it really is.
And guess what? It will! So many websites have become iPhone-compatible in the last few years, and it will happen to the iPad as well.
Also, pretty much every website for every movie created. Many sites for video games and video game companies use Flash for menus and user interfaces. I just think you are being foolish if you actually expect that every single person that has ever developed a site in Flash is going to marvel at the RADIANCE of the iPad's GLORIOUS REVOLUTIONARY FUTURE, and suddenly decide that they are going to immediately set to work converting their entire works into HTML5.
It doesn't matter who is doing it wrong. Even if I was absolutely certain that Apple had valiantly tried, for it's true and noble followers, everything it could while the evil Adobe corporation spit in their faces and laughed mockingly in their faces(while also working with everyone else and being displeased overall with Apple's decision to keep Flash off the iPad), then it wouldn't matter. The iPad would be a BAD DEVICE, and I shouldn't care whether or not it was actually Apple's fault. It would just be a bad device, despite all of Apple's efforts, and it's too bad that it didn't turn out good enough to be worth purchasing.
No, I keep saying that anyone who thinks that the entire internet can, should, and will change for the iPad are drooling morons that don't understand that products should work in the real world, and not some magical fantasy land you made up to make some technology company appear more capable than it really is.
Also, pretty much every website for every movie created. Many sites for video games and video game companies use Flash for menus and user interfaces. I just think you are being foolish if you actually expect that every single person that has ever developed a site in Flash is going to marvel at the RADIANCE of the iPad's GLORIOUS REVOLUTIONARY FUTURE, and suddenly decide that they are going to immediately set to work converting their entire works into HTML5.
Why don't you tell us what you really think about the iPad? I'm sure you just love it.
I attempted to do sarcasm in text... I failed.
Why don't you tell us what you really think about the iPad? I'm sure you just love it.
No, no I do not. If this device wasn't a major product launch, I'd just ignore the thing. "Oh, another crappy device that nobody needs". But this is considered huge, it's considered revolutionary, and it is going to affect people, companies, and products in the future. The iPad is a CANCER, that threatens the very reasons I love computers. It posits that we don't want a world in which I go to Fry's to pick up a new graphics card or stick of RAM or Motherboard. It posits that, if I want to create, to actually CONTRIBUTE something longer than a URL, then I need a $70 accessory on top of my computer purchase. It posits that MY role is consumer. I pay a $500 entrance fee simply to GET INTO Apple's store, and they spend the rest of the time taking a solid 30% off the top of everything I buy. And I will buy, because the iPad isn't a computer, it is a purchasing environment, a consumption system, and I am intended to use it specifically as a portal for my money into Apple's bank account. The idea that these horrible ideas are going to become POPULAR, that they will infect the computer industry and the very way I will continue to be able to interact with my computer hardware...that disgusts me.
No, no I do not. If this device wasn't a major product launch, I'd just ignore the thing. "Oh, another crappy device that nobody needs". But this is considered huge, it's considered revolutionary, and it is going to affect people, companies, and products in the future. The iPad is a CANCER, that threatens the very reasons I love computers. It posits that we don't want a world in which I go to Fry's to pick up a new graphics card or stick of RAM or Motherboard. It posits that, if I want to create, to actually CONTRIBUTE something longer than a URL, then I need a $70 accessory on top of my computer purchase. It posits that MY role is consumer. I pay a $500 entrance fee simply to GET INTO Apple's store, and they spend the rest of the time taking a solid 30% off the top of everything I buy. And I will buy, because the iPad isn't a computer, it is a purchasing environment, a consumption system, and I am intended to use it specifically as a portal for my money into Apple's bank account. The idea that these horrible ideas are going to become POPULAR, that they will infect the computer industry and the very way I will continue to be able to interact with my computer hardware...that disgusts me.
This is the best argument against the cancerous Apple Corporation I have yet heard. Still... Is there blood in the streets? Of course. Have some chosen to destroy themselves with careless consumerism? Undeniable. But I will make no proclamations, I will dictate no laws. The Great Chain moves slowly, but with wisdom. It is our impatience that invites in the Parasite of big government. And once you've invited it in, it will never stop feeding on the body of the city.
Also, Apple keeps the Rapture Central Council in fedoras and silk suits, so I'm in no position to complain.
But... but I like it here. I'm sure I have, like a fan. Somewhere? Anywhere? Can we have a poll? Please? Pretty please?
-1 vote. We here at Videlectrix find the practice to be counterintuitive to the honest connection of human beings over ARPANET graphics machines.
...also, I totally run the Good Graphicketeers off this account. And I totally intend to finish off that album of Videlectrix manuals and promotional materials sometime. You couldn't possibly ban the Good Graphicketeers, Jake. You're one of them.
This thread is terrible. Stop role playing as Andrew Ryan, please, or leave the forums.
Okay, I don't know if you're on Team Argyle or Team Dino, but whatever Team you're on, I'ma join it.
+1337 votes for Jake.
EDIT: on topic, Apple sucks. I'm all for Telltale making games for Apple hardware because it will make TTG money. Telltale is awesome and I hope they become the next household name when it comes to the gaming industry. But, Apple still sucks.
People will buy Apple products because Apple is great at generating sales hype and building hardware that looks pretty and has cool features. However, I would say that anyone willing to pay $60 per month PER PHONE for an iPhone is an idiot. If my wife and I had 2 iPhones, that's $120 per month in bills at the basic rate just to have cell phones. Also, I've played around alot with iTunes, and aside from having a big music store, it really sucks as a media player. I'll take WinAmp any day.
Apple's hardware costs too damn much, and it's too dependent on proprietary software.
But... but I like it here. I'm sure I have, like a fan. Somewhere? Anywhere? Can we have a poll? Please? Pretty please?
On one hand, the Ryan thing can be entertaining. On the other, you do seem to take it too far in certain threads. Like this one. And that's where I see the line between whatever it is you were doing and actually being a troll.
Okay, I'm going to stop posting in this thread. Rather Dashing is biased against apple products (and he admits it, too). Complaining that Apple is just trying to make money is stupid, because that's how the world works. You pay money, someone provides a service. Your argument (and weird toast metaphors) grow stale and old. People don't use apple computers because of the hype, they use apple computers because they actually want to. Can you grasp this concept? They have used Windows and OS X, and chose it out of their own free will. Apple makes excellent software like iMovie, iPhoto, Final Cut, Aperture, Logic Studio, Keynote, Pages, etc. And people want to use this software on a multi-touch interface (along with hundreds of thousands of third party programs too).
they use apple computers because they actually want to. Can you grasp this concept? They have used Windows and OS X, and chose it out of their own free will.
I can personally grasp this concept in theory, but having used OS X, I can't grasp the concept in practice. It's almost as baffling to me as people who actually choose to use Linux, which I've also tried. I've found both OSes to be about as user-friendly as a rabid wolverine. But hey, if it works for them, great, even if I can't understand it.
No, no I do not. If this device wasn't a major product launch, I'd just ignore the thing. "Oh, another crappy device that nobody needs". But this is considered huge, it's considered revolutionary, and it is going to affect people, companies, and products in the future. The iPad is a CANCER, that threatens the very reasons I love computers. It posits that we don't want a world in which I go to Fry's to pick up a new graphics card or stick of RAM or Motherboard. It posits that, if I want to create, to actually CONTRIBUTE something longer than a URL, then I need a $70 accessory on top of my computer purchase. It posits that MY role is consumer. I pay a $500 entrance fee simply to GET INTO Apple's store, and they spend the rest of the time taking a solid 30% off the top of everything I buy. And I will buy, because the iPad isn't a computer, it is a purchasing environment, a consumption system, and I am intended to use it specifically as a portal for my money into Apple's bank account. The idea that these horrible ideas are going to become POPULAR, that they will infect the computer industry and the very way I will continue to be able to interact with my computer hardware...that disgusts me.
Goodness... If you actually believe the WHOLE WORLD will bow to Apple's ideals, then you are fantasizing. Their global market share is less than 10%.
Goodness... If you actually believe the WHOLE WORLD will bow to Apple's ideals, then you are fantasizing. Their global market share is less than 10%.
Are we talking about Slate PC's or Macs or MP3 devices or smartphones? With smartphones, and MP3 players, they have a huge influence, that indicates that whilst they may only have 10% overall, thats still alot more than any other company in those areas.
Yes, but that's funny. "Presumably Andrew Ryan" is not.
Frankly, sir, I am offended at your opinion. Still... I will make no proclamations. It is each and every man's right to state his opinion... even if it is wrong.
I think it's awesome. Imagine Linux on an iPad. Portable hacker tools wherever you go! Seriously, though. I'm excited. It means the world is finally getting closer to Star Trek technology.
I think it's awesome. Imagine Linux on an iPad. Portable hacker tools wherever you go! Seriously, though. I'm excited. It means the world is finally getting closer to Star Trek technology.
There have been tablet computers for ages. Apple had one go at it already. Remember the Newton?
Are we talking about Slate PC's or Macs or MP3 devices or smartphones? With smartphones, and MP3 players, they have a huge influence, that indicates that whilst they may only have 10% overall, thats still alot more than any other company in those areas.
I'm not talking about mobile devices; the context of this discussion is personal computers. And Apple doesn't have 10% overall. To be honest, they probably have less than 5% of the global market share. To institute Rather Dashing's dreaded iWorld, Apple would have to topple HP, Acer, Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba, and eliminate all other competition.
I'm just throwing this thought out there (I'm not going to make the foolish argument that Macs are more common than PCs, because thats just stupid), a lot of PC sales come from businesses, who will buy hundreds at a time. The Mac market share among home computers and personal use is probably over 10%, but less than 20%.
Okay, I'm going to stop posting in this thread. Rather Dashing is biased against apple products (and he admits it, too).
I suppose I could say that? I think their interface design on portable devices is ingenious, and the actual USE of the devices tends to be very smooth and elegant. So I don't think I'm incapable of seeing merits in Apple products, I just am certain that being pretty, slick, and simple are by no means able to counterbalance the glaring flaws that they build into their products, intentionally or otherwise.
((This has nothing to do with their computers. I have almost no experience with Macs beyond the mid-80s, I have no qualification to even have an opinion on that front.))
Complaining that Apple is just trying to make money is stupid, because that's how the world works. You pay money, someone provides a service. Your argument (and weird toast metaphors) grow stale and old.
Of course companies try to make money. I'm not arguing that trying to make money is bad and evil. I'm arguing that trying to make money in unfair, anti-consumer ways shouldn't be supported by the very people that are being screwed over.
I gotta agree on one thing, though: Stale toast sucks.
People don't use apple computers because of the hype
I'm sure some do. I'm also sure that...
they use apple computers because they actually want to. Can you grasp this concept?
...some do for this reason, too. I think the Apple portable devices, ESPECIALLY the iPhone and the iPad(and the MacBook Air), are more "status symbol electronics". All flash, some substance, but just not enough substance.
Also, you obviously weren't paying attention, because there was one toast metaphor and the other was about BAGELS. Also, I was hungry.
They have used Windows and OS X, and chose it out of their own free will. Apple makes excellent software like iMovie, iPhoto, Final Cut, Aperture, Logic Studio, Keynote, Pages, etc. And people want to use this software on a multi-touch interface (along with hundreds of thousands of third party programs too).
I can see that, I suppose. Does the iPad support/come with the entire suite of iLife/iWork programs? I noticed some spreadsheet work in iWork during the press show.
The problem is that I don't think data entry is the iPad's strong suit, and I don't think that that iPad was really built to do complex editing tasks. I'd wait for the Mac model that comes with a touchscreen, or I'd get a touchscreen monitor for a Mac, if I was wanting to use those programs that way.
Are Macs using DisplayPort as their exclusive video output? I'm honestly not sure. I have absolutely no opinion or really much knowledge of Mac computers. I'm not arguing "against Apple" as an entity, I'm arguing against the ideas they're putting forward in their portable devices about how we are meant to interact with our content, how we are meant to interact with our software, and how we are meant to interact with our hardware.
Goodness... If you actually believe the WHOLE WORLD will bow to Apple's ideals, then you are fantasizing. Their global market share is less than 10%.
It's more a "cultural victory" than "domination victory" situation. Right now, in the smartphone market, everyone wants to be the iPhone. In the feature-rich MP3-player market, everybody wants to be the iPod. When an idea about how we interact with content is both INSANELY LUCRATIVE and popular, others follow suit.
I'm not talking about mobile devices; the context of this discussion is personal computers. And Apple doesn't have 10% overall. To be honest, they probably have less than 5% of the global market share. To institute Rather Dashing's dreaded iWorld, Apple would have to topple HP, Acer, Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba, and eliminate all other competition.
Or simply convince them that locked-down, super-simplified computers are what everyone wants. And Apple doesn't need to TRY to convince them, they just need to try to make money and succeed.
Granted, there are a lot of other factors. But I don't want things like the iPad being considered viable alternatives to desktop computers, or even laptops or netbooks.
There have been tablet computers for ages. Apple had one go at it already. Remember the Newton?
For April Fool's Day, ThinkGeek had a sweepstakes. First prize was a Newton and a $1000 shopping spree. Second prize was an iPad and a $500 shopping spree.
For April Fool's Day, ThinkGeek had a sweepstakes. First prize was a Newton and a $1000 shopping spree. Second prize was an iPad and a $500 shopping spree.
I know... I totally entered. I need a Newton for the Fort Frolic Museum of Technological Folly. Only time will tell if an iPad could suffice.
I'm not talking about mobile devices; the context of this discussion is personal computers. And Apple doesn't have 10% overall. To be honest, they probably have less than 5% of the global market share. To institute Rather Dashing's dreaded iWorld, Apple would have to topple HP, Acer, Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba, and eliminate all other competition.
Ah okay. But in 2-3 months time, in terms of slate/tablet PC's only, that percentage will be far far higher.
You know, I don't really like Apple. Their products seem more expensive than the competition, while lasting less time and being able to do less.
But I just don't buy their products. You seem to have made it your personal mission to bring them down or something. I don't get it.
Just because their products don't do it for you (or me) doesn't mean other people aren't allowed to want them, buy them and like them.
If you've got that much bottled up anger, maybe you could make apple sauce. It's tasty, too.
I'm not saying you're not allowed to hate them. I'm just not sure why you're trying to make other people hate them too.
If you've got that much bottled up anger, maybe you could make apple sauce. It's tasty, too.
Never was too fond of applesauce. I'd go for juice or cider instead, thanks. Maybe pie.
I'm not saying you're not allowed to hate them. I'm just not sure why you're trying to make other people hate them too.
It's a matter of principles, really. Apple is the leader when it comes to the MP3 player and smartphone markets, and they may end up with the tablet PC market as well. Everybody wants to be Apple.
I wouldn't care so much if they weren't in such a powerful and influential market position. But they are, and so their decisions do end up affecting me.
For example: If apps for the iPhone and iPad can't use Flash or other intermediary, easily-ported dev tools, then it's more likely that the iPhone OS devices will get exclusive access to more applications that may have otherwise gone multi-platform, because they're such a big portion of the market. It was similar when the DRM scheme of iTunes was unfair bullying on the part of Apple toward the customer and their competitors.
Basically, they aren't being fair. They aren't producing an open product to honestly compete with the others in the marketplace. They're creating a closed ecosystem, because they can, because they're Apple, and that makes it an unfair competition. Competition, when it's fair, does push forward innovation and make the world a better place.
I thought that hating them on principle was obvious. Hating Apple is like hating Microsoft is like hating AOL. One just feels compelled to hate them, and therefore complain. But we know that they're too big to take down by just not buying their stuff, since so many other people buy it already anyway.
I thought that hating them on principle was obvious. Hating Apple is like hating Microsoft is like hating AOL. One just feels compelled to hate them, and therefore complain. But we know that they're too big to take down by just not buying their stuff, since so many other people buy it already anyway.
There's no reason to hate AOL anymore. Their reign of terror has long since ended. Now they just...publish some blogs and maintain an IM client that I use indirectly.
Microsoft...I sadly accept as a necessary evil. I understand the love of Linux, I just can't use it for enough of the things that I do to make it worth the trouble. At least Microsoft lets me put the OS on whatever hardware I want, though, and lets me cobble together my own PC from spare parts if I want. And yeah, I often do want.
Comments
Shouldn't you program FOR the standard instead of expecting the standard to change because you're making too much money on the App Store? Apple is making all the moves of the Parasite, my friends. They're playing you all for fools.
No, I keep saying that anyone who thinks that the entire internet can, should, and will change for the iPad are drooling morons that don't understand that products should work in the real world, and not some magical fantasy land you made up to make some technology company appear more capable than it really is.
http://www.hulu.com/
http://www.youtube.com/
http://www.newgrounds.com/
http://www.kongregate.com/
http://homestarrunner.com/
http://machinarium.net/demo/
http://espn.go.com/
http://disney.go.com/index
Also, pretty much every website for every movie created. Many sites for video games and video game companies use Flash for menus and user interfaces. I just think you are being foolish if you actually expect that every single person that has ever developed a site in Flash is going to marvel at the RADIANCE of the iPad's GLORIOUS REVOLUTIONARY FUTURE, and suddenly decide that they are going to immediately set to work converting their entire works into HTML5.
Why don't you tell us what you really think about the iPad? I'm sure you just love it.
I attempted to do sarcasm in text... I failed.
This is the best argument against the cancerous Apple Corporation I have yet heard. Still... Is there blood in the streets? Of course. Have some chosen to destroy themselves with careless consumerism? Undeniable. But I will make no proclamations, I will dictate no laws. The Great Chain moves slowly, but with wisdom. It is our impatience that invites in the Parasite of big government. And once you've invited it in, it will never stop feeding on the body of the city.
Also, Apple keeps the Rapture Central Council in fedoras and silk suits, so I'm in no position to complain.
But... but I like it here. I'm sure I have, like a fan. Somewhere? Anywhere? Can we have a poll? Please? Pretty please?
+2 vote
Says the guy who role played as the Videlectrix developers...
And I can't vote as iambecomedeath7?
...also, I totally run the Good Graphicketeers off this account. And I totally intend to finish off that album of Videlectrix manuals and promotional materials sometime. You couldn't possibly ban the Good Graphicketeers, Jake. You're one of them.
Okay, I don't know if you're on Team Argyle or Team Dino, but whatever Team you're on, I'ma join it.
+1337 votes for Jake.
EDIT: on topic, Apple sucks. I'm all for Telltale making games for Apple hardware because it will make TTG money. Telltale is awesome and I hope they become the next household name when it comes to the gaming industry. But, Apple still sucks.
People will buy Apple products because Apple is great at generating sales hype and building hardware that looks pretty and has cool features. However, I would say that anyone willing to pay $60 per month PER PHONE for an iPhone is an idiot. If my wife and I had 2 iPhones, that's $120 per month in bills at the basic rate just to have cell phones. Also, I've played around alot with iTunes, and aside from having a big music store, it really sucks as a media player. I'll take WinAmp any day.
Apple's hardware costs too damn much, and it's too dependent on proprietary software.
On one hand, the Ryan thing can be entertaining. On the other, you do seem to take it too far in certain threads. Like this one. And that's where I see the line between whatever it is you were doing and actually being a troll.
So...neutral vote?
I'm not a Republican, thanks.
But anyway, if it gets "Andrew Ryan" to shut up, who cares?
I can personally grasp this concept in theory, but having used OS X, I can't grasp the concept in practice. It's almost as baffling to me as people who actually choose to use Linux, which I've also tried. I've found both OSes to be about as user-friendly as a rabid wolverine. But hey, if it works for them, great, even if I can't understand it.
Goodness... If you actually believe the WHOLE WORLD will bow to Apple's ideals, then you are fantasizing. Their global market share is less than 10%.
Frankly, sir, I am offended at your opinion. Still... I will make no proclamations. It is each and every man's right to state his opinion... even if it is wrong.
It appears that you are the embodiment of that statement.
There have been tablet computers for ages. Apple had one go at it already. Remember the Newton?
I'm not talking about mobile devices; the context of this discussion is personal computers. And Apple doesn't have 10% overall. To be honest, they probably have less than 5% of the global market share. To institute Rather Dashing's dreaded iWorld, Apple would have to topple HP, Acer, Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba, and eliminate all other competition.
((This has nothing to do with their computers. I have almost no experience with Macs beyond the mid-80s, I have no qualification to even have an opinion on that front.))
Of course companies try to make money. I'm not arguing that trying to make money is bad and evil. I'm arguing that trying to make money in unfair, anti-consumer ways shouldn't be supported by the very people that are being screwed over.
I gotta agree on one thing, though: Stale toast sucks. I'm sure some do. I'm also sure that...
...some do for this reason, too. I think the Apple portable devices, ESPECIALLY the iPhone and the iPad(and the MacBook Air), are more "status symbol electronics". All flash, some substance, but just not enough substance.
Also, you obviously weren't paying attention, because there was one toast metaphor and the other was about BAGELS. Also, I was hungry.
I can see that, I suppose. Does the iPad support/come with the entire suite of iLife/iWork programs? I noticed some spreadsheet work in iWork during the press show.
The problem is that I don't think data entry is the iPad's strong suit, and I don't think that that iPad was really built to do complex editing tasks. I'd wait for the Mac model that comes with a touchscreen, or I'd get a touchscreen monitor for a Mac, if I was wanting to use those programs that way.
Are Macs using DisplayPort as their exclusive video output? I'm honestly not sure. I have absolutely no opinion or really much knowledge of Mac computers. I'm not arguing "against Apple" as an entity, I'm arguing against the ideas they're putting forward in their portable devices about how we are meant to interact with our content, how we are meant to interact with our software, and how we are meant to interact with our hardware.
It's more a "cultural victory" than "domination victory" situation. Right now, in the smartphone market, everyone wants to be the iPhone. In the feature-rich MP3-player market, everybody wants to be the iPod. When an idea about how we interact with content is both INSANELY LUCRATIVE and popular, others follow suit.
Or simply convince them that locked-down, super-simplified computers are what everyone wants. And Apple doesn't need to TRY to convince them, they just need to try to make money and succeed.
Granted, there are a lot of other factors. But I don't want things like the iPad being considered viable alternatives to desktop computers, or even laptops or netbooks.
For April Fool's Day, ThinkGeek had a sweepstakes. First prize was a Newton and a $1000 shopping spree. Second prize was an iPad and a $500 shopping spree.
I know... I totally entered. I need a Newton for the Fort Frolic Museum of Technological Folly. Only time will tell if an iPad could suffice.
It's really amazing how anti-develoer, anti-consumer, and just plain anti-good Apple can be.
But I just don't buy their products. You seem to have made it your personal mission to bring them down or something. I don't get it.
Just because their products don't do it for you (or me) doesn't mean other people aren't allowed to want them, buy them and like them.
If you've got that much bottled up anger, maybe you could make apple sauce. It's tasty, too.
I'm not saying you're not allowed to hate them. I'm just not sure why you're trying to make other people hate them too.
It's a matter of principles, really. Apple is the leader when it comes to the MP3 player and smartphone markets, and they may end up with the tablet PC market as well. Everybody wants to be Apple.
I wouldn't care so much if they weren't in such a powerful and influential market position. But they are, and so their decisions do end up affecting me.
For example: If apps for the iPhone and iPad can't use Flash or other intermediary, easily-ported dev tools, then it's more likely that the iPhone OS devices will get exclusive access to more applications that may have otherwise gone multi-platform, because they're such a big portion of the market. It was similar when the DRM scheme of iTunes was unfair bullying on the part of Apple toward the customer and their competitors.
Basically, they aren't being fair. They aren't producing an open product to honestly compete with the others in the marketplace. They're creating a closed ecosystem, because they can, because they're Apple, and that makes it an unfair competition. Competition, when it's fair, does push forward innovation and make the world a better place.
Microsoft...I sadly accept as a necessary evil. I understand the love of Linux, I just can't use it for enough of the things that I do to make it worth the trouble. At least Microsoft lets me put the OS on whatever hardware I want, though, and lets me cobble together my own PC from spare parts if I want. And yeah, I often do want.
That reminds me of a "PC vs. Mac" spoof on youtube where they both get upgraded...
PC gets upgraded to Vista, meaning that he gets escorted off stage and comes back with a different shirt.
Mac gets "upgraded," meaning that he gets escorted off stage and promptly shot, to be replaced by an entirely different person.