The Apple iPad, why it sucks

The Apple iPad is a nice piece of hardware, let me say that up front. If what you want to do on an iPad is supported out of the box (surf the web, read email), it may well be the best choice for you.

I am a software developer. I want to buy a tablet, and then freely develop software for whatever tablet I buy. Apple has made this ugly and painful for the iPad, which I find curious because it is no problem at all to develop software for the MacBook, I have done so, and found it rather enjoyable.

iPad hardware

At the time of this writing (mid 2011) the Ipad comes in two forms. There is an inexpensive WiFi only version and a more expensive Cell Phone enabled version. The cell enabled version has a built-in GPS chipset that is reported to work quite well. There is the original iPad and the iPad-2 (which I have never bothered to sort out given that I have ruled out the iPad due to the developer roadblock.

The Developer Roadblock

The rub with the iPad is that Apple has numerous flaming hoops you have to jump through if you want to develop applications for the iPad.

First, you have to pay $99 per year and register yourself as a developer.
Second, you can only download your app through the Apple store.
Third, your application must be approved by Apple before being accepted.
Third, you need to code in Objective C.

Now, I don't mind dealing with Objective C, but the rest of Apples control freak methodology rubs me very much the wrong way. Let me be very clear on the extent of Apples control mindset (and don't miss the comments below on the brick). If I want to write an application for my own iPad, I still have to subject it to Apples review, and can only download it for my own use if they approve it and place it on the store. I know a fellow who went down the Apple developer path to write a custom application for his small workgroup and had it rejected. A lot of effort (and $99) down the hole. They aren't the least bit interested in smart people customizing their iPads, in fact they are actively hostile against such activity.

And on top of this, these things are pretty expensive. The Wifi only iPad costs just over $500. The Cell enabled iPad (with GPS) costs more like $850.

Porting gtopo to the iPad would have several hurdles. No gtk libraries, and a transcription from C to Objective C.

Apple can send you a brick!

Apparently you can do something called "jailbreak" on your iPad, which liberates you from Apples totalitarian regime. I am told there are risks though and even rumors that if Apple detects you have done this, then may then send an update to your machine (known as a "brick") making it inoperable. Evil business. A new definition of "ownership". As soon as I learned about this, I moved on to other products.

Feedback? Questions? Drop me a line!

Apple iPad / tom@mmto.org