Apple proprietary

[boswd]

Originally Posted by =X=

He's just not talking about moving app icons he's referring to being able to place, widgets(mini apps), shortcuts to apps(like apple), shortcuts to contacts to name a few. The android desktop is as configurable as a PC/Unix desktop. But on top of that you can also change your launcher app, this is like changing the Explorer.exe on windows or your windows manager on UNIX.

After knowing your personality over the years on this board I honestly believe that once you try Android you will find Apple lacking luster. Android gives you control and ease.

My wife who is by no means a techie find android techie loves her Android phone UI over her iPad, she complains about how much harder the iPad is to navigate.

Here is a video that shows the type of customization you can do with the level of customization on Android on your home screens. (note the video is the reviewers customized look of widgets, mine is much different).

One feature that I find just very useful is google voice. My latest voice mail is transcribed and displayed in a widget so I don't have to call in to listen to my latest voice mail

exactly! I also left a couple of videos a few post's above Post #21
one for the HTC's Droid Incredible Sense UI and the other for the Droid X's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cSBzo8J_uk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Mnvo...eature=related

[Debby]

See, I learn something each day here! I actually tried to create categories years ago and haven’t tried since. Happy to see that has improved.

First, I am NOT bashing apple. I use a media server with apple TV’s, own ipads , itouchs, ipods and use an iphone. But, I am aware of the differences between them that have impacted my life. Please note that I have been a LONG time user and still continue to use iProducts in spite of the challenges. But, I am aware of the pitfalls and plan accordingly.

1. The connection cables do come with the product. Depending upon what you order you may not get a power adapter. Also, the power adapter/cable you have from a previous generation may not work with your new product. This has become such a problem in our home that I now immediately label each cable and power adapter as soon as it enters the house.

Itunes:
1. I do not find iTunes to be a great program. When your library grows large (media, books, music) it is not a great manager and lacks basic functionality that I expect. Customization is minimal – although there are a few add on programs that can help with cleaning and organizing. Calibre and Media Monkey offer it all. Just a small example, you purchase a series of books by an author. iTunes/iBooks does not include any series information. That means when you transfer your books to your iDevice, you will not have that information. Yes, you can go an MANUALLY edit each book title, but with a large library that is very time consuming. Calibre actually has a work around so you can import the information you desire to iTunes for transferring.

2. Syncing – that can be a challenge. Sometimes it works great other times you want to pull your hair out. There are a lots of explanations, iTunes doesn’t like this USB port, your operating system but the results is the dreaded error messages – such as 13019.

3. The challenges of using more than one computer. iTunes really doesn’t like you to sync your device with more than one computer and will wipe everything off your device when you sync to a different computer. Yes, there are work arounds for this, but they aren’t fool proof. For those that travel with laptops (such as our family) this can be a pain. Also, the issue of large library files on laptops – my library is too big for it all to be on my laptop. iTunes does not allow for managing this (that I am aware of).

4. You need to have a systemic way to backup you information on your iDevice. iTunes is not enough and has limitations. There is nothing more frustrating than when iTunes won’t recognize your device and in order to sync you must “restore and update” . You lose all your settings etc. Plan accordingly and use a 3rd party product to be safe before syncing.

5. File Structure – iTunes is one program where you need to understand how the file structure works. Backing up your library “files” may not be sufficient if you want to retain all your playlists and other items. This is especially important if you are not using the default location of the library. Backing up your library is necessary in case your hardrive dies or you decide replace your computer. Transferring your library to a new computer is not intuitive (although much better than in previous years) and is not as simple as coping your music from one location to another or pointing your new computer to the directory.

6. DRM – this is the only one on list that I do not have personal experience with since I refuse to buy books through them. iTunes uses a DRM that can’t be removed. Why should you care? Well, that book you bought can’t be transferred to the new Droid Tablet you just purchased. When I buy something I would like the flexibility to listen/read it on the device I am using. I became aware of this issue the hard way – right before a vacation my Cybook died and the all the books I had been collecting would not work on the new Sony that I rushed out to buy.

[jocampo]

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?

Proprietary applies to a software or hardware which is marketed under the exclusivity legal rights and permissions of its creator or vendor.

Operating System are usually proprietary with a few exceptions like Linux, hence why you cannot sell or make profits of Linux; you can offer service, but not sell the Os itself.

Proprietary hardware is similar. The hardware itself cannot be modified, marketed, altered in any form without the vendor's permissions.

The downside or restriction of above is that when writing software or code, if the hardware is proprietary, it is more difficult to design the program because the developer will have to do some kind of reverse engineering in order to develop something that interact properly with the hardware piece; an example on Linux, Nvidia drivers. That does not mean is impossible, but the program won't be endorsed by the hardware company.

Hardware ports are usually non proprietary, like USB, which allows developers and manufacturers, design devices which can use such non proprietary devices.

[=X=]

Originally Posted by jocampo

Operating System are usually proprietary with a few exceptions like Linux, hence why you cannot sell or make profits of Linux; you can offer service, but not sell the Os itself.

Actually you can, it's a common misconception that you can't. The Linux community has been selling the OS for years. Also look at the Open Source license and you will see you can sell the OS, the only restriction is that you must also provide the source code.

=X=

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by =X=

Actually you can, it's a common misconception that you can't. The Linux community has been selling the OS for years. Also look at the Open Source license and you will see you can sell the OS, the only restriction is that you must also provide the source code.

=X=

Well, a licensed version, yes ... ... for instance, Red Hat, but main different is support. Vendor are actually selling you the on going support or any kernel tweak that you need for a software, like Oracle, for example. It's the same for Ubuntu and Canonical.

[=X=]

Originally Posted by jocampo

Well, a licensed version, yes ... ... for instance, Red Hat, but main different is support. Vendor are actually selling you the on going support or any kernel tweak that you need for a software, like Oracle, for example. It's the same for Ubuntu and Canonical.

Okay another common misconception* . open source software is not public domain it is released under a license, GPL(Gnu Public License). So when I said licenced software I was refering to GPL not a distrobution ("Red Hat") in your example.

Here is a quote form the WIKI page,

Legal aspects
Licensing terms

Initially, Torvalds released Linux under a license which forbade any commercial use. This was soon changed to the GNU General Public License (GPL), as of version 0.12. This license allows distribution and sale of possibly modified and unmodified versions of Linux but requires that all those copies be released under the same license and be accompanied by the complete corresponding source code.

Torvalds has described licensing Linux under the GPL as the "best thing I ever did."[22]

It's a good read if your interested here is the link to the main page. And a link to the legal (link)


*BTW When I first got into Linux/Open source over a decade ago I also had the same misconceptions, as do most people.

[Tamara]

Originally Posted by boswd

NEW FLASH you can only use Apple products on Apple products. micro usb I can use it on my nook, my wifes blackberry, my sansa clip, my Droid X. versatility.

If I leave my charger behind and I'm at my friends house and even if he doesn't own a Droid X I coudl still use his micro UBS to charge or to transfer data

open vs closed You have your idea of freedom and I have mine

News flash. The only device I own that uses micro USB is my digital camera. I'm happy for you that you seem to buy a lot of devices that use that format.

[jocampo]

double post

[boswd]

Originally Posted by Tamara

News flash. The only device I own that uses micro USB is my digital camera. I'm happy for you that you seem to buy a lot of devices that use that format.

buy alot of devices with that format? it's the standard port for basically all devices well except you know who

[kjk]

Originally Posted by Tamara

News flash. The only device I own that uses micro USB is my digital camera. I'm happy for you that you seem to buy a lot of devices that use that format.

We must have 8-9 of Apple's 30 pin connector cables around our house, along with several AC adapters for them.

And let's not pretend the mini-USB was always a standard-there are to my count 3 different minis and 2 different micros out there, depending on manufacturer.

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by boswd

buy alot of devices with that format? it's the standard port for basically all devices well except you know who

Micro is the new standard, before that mini was the standard. You also have the standard USB B which was commonly used on printers, as well as the 'standard standard' of USB A. I have far more devices that use mini than micro (of which I have only one).

[HarryT]

That's the nice thing about standards - there are so many different ones to choose from!

[Lemurion]

The thing with Apple is that if you go all Apple, everything works together and it works very well together. Sure it's proprietary, but since it's all from the same source it's not an issue.

The problem comes up when you're mixing Apple with other products, which may or may not be proprietary, because they don't always work as well together.

iTunes is a great example. If you're on Apple, it's pretty much how you need to manage your media; but if you're not on Apple it's not going to work with your device. If you've got a mixture of devices you're going to have to find work-arounds and thats not pretty.

There's nothing wrong with proprietary, it just is what it is, but sometimes it gets in the way of interoperability, and with Apple that's not a bug it's a feature.

[Rique]

Originally Posted by HarryT

That's the nice thing about standards - there are so many different ones to choose from!

[boswd]

Just looked at the specs and features of the iPad 2 Ok now this is exactly what the OP was asking and a great example of Apple proprietary. the iPad has HDMI out now. Wow great, didn't see that one coming. oh But Wait Wait for it!! Ohhhh of course you have to buy the Apple proprietary doggle or conncetor or whatever they are calling it to work.

to the OP THAT is why people call Apple proprietory.
So you guys can go off and spend $40 for Apple, the rest us can go to site like monoprice.com and get an HDMI for less than $10 or wait I think my HDMI cord from my Kodak Zi8 will work with the Xoom.

*sigh*