Apple proprietary

[jbcohen]

Many of my fellow IT professionals referr to apple products as proprietary. What do you think they are talking about? What am I missing?

[Tamara]

iOS for the iPad/iPhone/Touch is a closed system. Unless you are a developer, it doesn't mean much for the average person beyond using iTunes to access content for iOS devices.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by Tamara

iOS for the iPad/iPhone/Touch is a closed system. Unless you are a developer, it doesn't mean much for the average person beyond using iTunes to access content for iOS devices.

sure it does you can't use standad mico usb cords on apple mobile devices
you you can't import your own media if it doesn't go through iTunes
You have 0 customization options outside of what apple gives you
No HDMI's
Is not DLNA compatible beyond it's own Apple product ecosytem



i

[HarryT]

Look up "proprietary" in the dictionary: it simply means "somebody's property;" no more, no less. Apple's operating system is their property, just as Windows is Microsoft's property. Being proprietary is not inherently good or bad; it's simply a statement of a particular fact of legal ownership.

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

Many of my fellow IT professionals referr to apple products as proprietary. What do you think they are talking about? What am I missing?

They may be referring to the inability to side-load applications that you develop in-house. You can do it, but you have to pay Apple a licensing fee to allow loading of 'enterprise' apps (that don't go through the App Store).

[Tamara]

Originally Posted by boswd

sure it does you can't use standad mico usb cords on apple mobile devices
you you can't import your own media if it doesn't go through iTunes
You have 0 customization options outside of what apple gives you
No HDMI's
Is not DLNA compatible beyond it's own Apple product ecosytem



i

I guess to you it means a lot more than it means to me.

[stickybuns]

Originally Posted by boswd

sure it does you can't use standad mico usb cords on apple mobile devices
you you can't import your own media if it doesn't go through iTunes
You have 0 customization options outside of what apple gives you
No HDMI's
Is not DLNA compatible beyond it's own Apple product ecosytem

I own a 2nd generation iPod Touch and have been debating whether I should upgrade to a new iPod Touch, an iPhone, an Android phone, or just stick with my pay-as-you-go phone and older generation iPod.

What am I missing out on by not being able to use a standard micro usb cord? What does this prevent me from doing? I do understand that doing something like loading pictures from my digital camera requires me to first load the pictures to my computer and then transfer them to my iPod... is there anything else?

Is there something inherently wrong/inferior/crappy about using iTunes? Beyond personal preference, is there a particular reason I might want to avoid using iTunes to manage my digital library content?

Are there any specific customization options that Apple products lack and that you feel are "deal breakers"? Are there any specific customization options that the average, non-techy, just-wants-it-to-work-without-much-fuss user should consider to be "deal breakers"?

What's an HDMI and why should I want one?

What are the repercussions of being non DLNA compatible beyond the Apple "ecosystem?

[Debby]

As someone who lives in both worlds, Apple and PC, the most frustrating area is the lack of flexibility in Apple products. In all fairness to Apple, their goal is simplicity. iTunes is a perfect example. For many people it is a fabulous program for handling their music and books.

However, it is too simplistic for my needs. There is little to no customization possible. For example, what if you want a specific category for music that is not listed? In comparison, look at MediaMonkey. For books, it is joke - look at Calibre. You can use any type of device with either of these.

Do you need to use a USB? No - look at dropbox or another similar service.

Pick which phone you like the best. Then test iTunes and MediaMoney and Calibre. They can actually all co-exist together, but you need to learn about how to transfer information from one to another.

Good Luck.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Debby

As someone who lives in both worlds, Apple and PC, the most frustrating area is the lack of flexibility in Apple products. In all fairness to Apple, their goal is simplicity. iTunes is a perfect example. For many people it is a fabulous program for handling their music and books.

However, it is too simplistic for my needs. There is little to no customization possible. For example, what if you want a specific category for music that is not listed?

Just type in your new category. You do know that you can enter whatever categories you want?

[Tamara]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Just type in your new category. You do know that you can enter whatever categories you want?

What a simple solution . I guess that Apple needs devise a more complicated answer in their overly simplistic iTunes.

[Tamara]

Originally Posted by stickybuns

What am I missing out on by not being able to use a standard micro usb cord? What does this prevent me from doing? I do understand that doing something like loading pictures from my digital camera requires me to first load the pictures to my computer and then transfer them to my iPod... is there anything else?

It doesn't prevent you from doing anything since iDevices come with the proper cord.

Actually, there is a camera card adapter for the iPad that will allow you to transfer pics directly from the flash card to the iPad.

Is there something inherently wrong/inferior/crappy about using iTunes? Beyond personal preference, is there a particular reason I might want to avoid using iTunes to manage my digital library content?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. It works well and is easy to use.

Are there any specific customization options that Apple products lack and that you feel are "deal breakers"? Are there any specific customization options that the average, non-techy, just-wants-it-to-work-without-much-fuss user should consider to be "deal breakers"?

No.

What's an HDMI and why should I want one?

HDMI is a single cable way of connecting components to a TV. Instead of having a video cable and sound cable, an HDMI cable takes care of both.

What are the repercussions of being non DLNA compatible beyond the Apple "ecosystem?

None.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by Tamara

None.

All good answers, Tamara, but surely the repercussion of not being DNLA compatible beyond Apple's ecosystem is that you can't interface natively with any DNLA device if you own (or choose to buy) one, preventing you from streaming audio, images and/or video to those devices.

However, I think you can buy an app to provide DNLA compatibility if you need it:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/plugp...293235450?mt=8

Graham

[boswd]

Originally Posted by stickybuns

I own a 2nd generation iPod Touch and have been debating whether I should upgrade to a new iPod Touch, an iPhone, an Android phone, or just stick with my pay-as-you-go phone and older generation iPod.

What am I missing out on by not being able to use a standard micro usb cord? What does this prevent me from doing? I do understand that doing something like loading pictures from my digital camera requires me to first load the pictures to my computer and then transfer them to my iPod... is there anything else?

Is there something inherently wrong/inferior/crappy about using iTunes? Beyond personal preference, is there a particular reason I might want to avoid using iTunes to manage my digital library content?

Are there any specific customization options that Apple products lack and that you feel are "deal breakers"? Are there any specific customization options that the average, non-techy, just-wants-it-to-work-without-much-fuss user should consider to be "deal breakers"?

What's an HDMI and why should I want one?

What are the repercussions of being non DLNA compatible beyond the Apple "ecosystem?

Now for what Tamara DOESN'T want you know


1. Standard mirco usb cord means basically you can use any micro usb, if you lose one, want extras or leave one somewhere else you can use any micro usb charge or connection.

for example my phone, Droid X, was low on battery yesterday, I was out and about running errands, My wife had her blackberry micro usb in the car charger in the glove, I was all set. If I had an iPhone my phone would have died.

I can buy extra or replacement cables from fantastic site like monoprice.com at fractions of the cost.

Apple you have to use their own propritory cable that only works on apple products.

2. Customization - I can customize shortcuts, Folders, wallpapers, widgets, ringtones, notifications etc. to my phones multi homepage's.

on my phone I get a total of 7 home pages that I can design anyway I want. for example on my main home page I have all my apps that I want quick and easy access to and for my morning commute (train sched app., nook app, ny times, cnet, endgadget, flashlight, car dock etc) along with live weather widgets.

TRUST ME YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE TECHIE to figure this out, it's all very very basic. and actually really fun.

on my second page I have all my "favorite contacts"
third is my multi media page (camera, video camera, photo gallery, mp3 widget and DLNA (media share) shortcuts

now going to the left of my main home page I have my social networking home page (twitter, Facebook, email accounts, skype, IM)

swipe again to the left I have my data/connection page GPS, Bluetooth, wi fi, airplane mode, 3G mobile hotspot, GMaps and Data Usage

and my last home page I have one dedicated to all my Folders I have created to store common apps and short cuts ( Reading folder, entertainment, travel, games, sports)

Also I can create widgets and live running widgets, for news, weather, music etc.

I can use any image I want for wallpaper, I can use an image from the web. for example you see an image while surfing, love it, simply hold your finger down on it for a long press and you get an option to save as Wallpaper.

I can assign ringtones straight from the internal MP3 player without having to connect your phone to your computer for an iTunes application and what haven nots.

the list really just goes on. You can't do any of this with Apple mobile products. You can make your phone, your Tablet YOUR'S. With Apple you use what they give and be happy. For some that's ok, I like the fun you can have with Android prouducts.

now though technically the lock down of apple on customization isn't Proprietory in the traditional sense of the word, but it just sort of falls into the same arena with it's Walled Garden style.

3. HDMI is High Definition Multimedia interface, its a cord that will transfer data(videos, audio, photo's) over a single cord. HDMI is SOP on High Def Telvevison, blu ray's, video camera's, digital cameras' etc.

now what these means is I can simpley hook up my droid X to my TV or Blu ray player to watch video's shot, and photo's. with an iPhone unless you have Apple TV, you have to hook up your phone to your computer, import your videos and photo's and then hook up your computer to your TV.

Not so with my Droid X, I simply connect my phone directly to the TV via HDMI and watch away, quick, simple and clean.


4. iTunes that is a matter of choice, the thing is to run any media on your iphone etc it HAS to go through iTunes Android Devices you have more freedom of where to store and keep your media and still have it no matter what brand you choose down the road. even apple. I have a iTunes but I prefer Mediamonkey and WMP. I Window Media Player as my default media manager, both iTunes and MediaMonkey detect and copy files. That way down the road I don't have to worry about transferring my media out of iTunes.

For music I wouldn't worry too much about iTunes, just about every phone, and mp3 player accepts AAC (Apples default music format) so even android phones can sync up their music.

Videos/movies is my cause for concern. Those I like to store on my WMP. I dont' want them locked down.
5. The advantages of having a DLNA device for media sharing is, you can have a Tosbia laptop, HP desktop, Sony blu ray, Samsung HDTV and your phone will work with all of them. IOW's it's wide open. Apple's media sharing is restricted to Apple devices.

Man I just love Android.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by boswd

the list really just goes on. You can't do any of this with Apple mobile products. You can make your phone, your Tablet YOUR'S. With Apple you use what they give and be happy. For some that's ok, I like the fun you can have with Android prouducts.

This isn't true. You can do pretty much everything you describe on an iPhone - up to 8 (I think it's 8) "home" screens - just swipe left and right to move between them. You can assign apps to folders on any home screen; you can also attach your most frequently used apps to a bar at the bottom of the screen for instant access.

The iPhone is every bit as customisable as an Android phone. I'm not taking a swipe at Android - I think Android is great - but I really wish that people would get their facts right about Apple!

[boswd]

Originally Posted by HarryT

This isn't true. You can do pretty much everything you describe on an iPhone - up to 8 (I think it's 8) "home" screens - just swipe left and right to move between them. You can assign apps to folders on any home screen; you can also attach your most frequently used apps to a bar at the bottom of the screen for instant access.

The iPhone is every bit as customisable as an Android phone. I'm not taking a swipe at Android - I think Android is great - but I really wish that people would get their facts right about Apple!

Not really, you can get 8 screens of tiles, but you can't customize the order and shortcuts to how you want them per page. It's a page of tiles then another page of tiles etc.

the iPhone 4 did get Folders yes, though I don't think I mentioned they didnt' but that they just got it, it's been on Android since day one.

No it's not as every bit as customizable Android. No way!!!!! They may offer a few work arounds but Harry trust me on this, the customization is no where on the same level. Actually not even close.

If you know someone with a high end Android Phone, have them show you. What you get with the iPhone are 'work arounds" Android, you make it fully your's.

and I like you am not taking a swipe at Apple, my best friend my whole life is an Apple guy, Mac guy actually, and has been since the 80's. We have fun with each other going back and forth. And I think Apple has made Android better, it's keep innovation going and competition is always to our benefit.