Hey Rob didn't get a chance to respond to last ipad related post but I'll respond to this one real quick:

You mention the iPad is nothing compared to nothing out there? What specifically are you talking about? Regardless of what device you are talking about more tech doesn't always translate to a better product. The Xbox has more tech than the Wii. To the non-gamers would the xbox provide a better experience than the Wii? I have seen seniors, lifelong non-gamers, kids pick up a Wii and learn to play and have fun right away. Would they have the same experience with the Xbox or PS3?

Having worked for companies in different industries(education, consumer electronics, finance, video games, advertising, etc.) I can tell you tcompanies do things that are not always in the best interest of the consumer.

Although I agree with you about the battery issue, not sure that you ever own a device if you ask those companies. Microsoft has been banning some users who have a modified Xbox. What about their extremely high cost for the hard drives. The average user can't add their own. They need to buy a MS product.

The DRM is an interesting issue. If I am apple why would I allow other companies to piggyback off the product i developed? Microsoft does the same thing in this area. If I purchased a tv show or movie for a zune, would I be able to take it with me and watch it on an ipod touch or iphone? Don't think so.

As far as people not being able to switch from Apple due their purchases of content that has been going on for a long time. If you bought a game for one system, you could not use it in a different system if you tried to switch. If you bought software for a wintel machine you can't take it with you if you decide to move to an apple product. Are you able to use Kindle books on the Sony Reader? Not legally. Zune movies/shows on my iphone? Nope. What about the people that bought HD-DVD movies?How about back in the day with tapes, if you bought a Beta movie you could not watch it on a VHS player. Think those work on a BluRay player? There are many examples of content being locked in past and present.

If Apple had the same market share in mobile products as they do in computers people would not complain. it is because they are the market leaders, for the moment, in what google calls super smart phones(iphone), media players(ipod touch), and out in front in the media consumption device (iPad) that they are hearing these complaints.

Is it all positive with apple? Of course not. It has its negatives also. After working on stuff that involves some of the companies that are playing in the mobile space not sure I would trust any of them to do what is best for the consumer. Unfortunately I can't share due to NDAs.

Thanks for responding Jesse! It helps me feel like I'm not rambling to myself as much.

My article this time around was meant to be more in jest, although some things hold true.

Companies do not always do things in the interest of the consumer. Which is why I support companies who try their best to do so. I am firmly of the belief that is model of service is the way of the future – companies that I don't feel are abusing me as a customer will get my business.

That includes businesses who try to own my devices. I'm an Android and T-Mobile customer because of their position on being able to unlock and modify phones I own. The battery issue is just shocking and to me, unacceptable.

As far as the DRM goes, it's a dying concept. We assumed the existence of DRM for music until DRM-free music was available. And if I buy music from Amazon, I can play it on the iPod, Zune, or Android phone. Absolutely, the same should be true for movies and books. This isn't “piggybacking”, it's a commitment to open standards and lets the BEST technology win rather than the one you're locked into. There's plenty of evidence to support this and plenty of companies committing to this. Once again, Google leads the way. Open standards means more innovation and better technology for everyone.

As far as being able to switch, that is exactly what I'm talking about. When switching from a windows machine to a mac, for a long time, it was nearly impossible. The last thing I want to see is people trying to switch away from the mac and having it be nearly impossible as well. By putting this in the perspective of a DVD/Blu-Ray or Betamax, you're holding onto old concepts that have no place in today's consumer-driven world. People will reject these things, as I do. I haven't bought Blu-Ray and I sincerely doubt I ever will. Serious collectors are buying hard drives and downloading high-quality versions or buying thier own copies and converting them digitally.

I really would have the same problem if Apple took this same strategy with their computers, and in fact, some of their recent decisions on that front have really turned me off of getting a newer model. The mobile space is the next battlefield, and I'm firmly on the side of open standards.

For a great overview of open standards and how they help create and propel innovation, read this post from Google's SVP of Product Management. They are proving everyday that you can be a huge multimillion dollar company, and stil commit to open standards.
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/meaning-…

You have an awesome blog Rob! Although I never reply to your posts, I find them very insightful and share your thoughts for the most part. Good to hear reviews from a non-Apple-fanboy point of view. I would only hope more people weren't so satisfied with the way Apple acts as far as locking their technology so much.

You have an awesome blog Rob! Although I never reply to your posts, I find them very insightful and share your thoughts for the most part. Good to hear reviews from a non-Apple-fanboy point of view. I would only hope more people weren't so satisfied with the way Apple acts as far as locking their technology so much.