Good point, but I think what others are pointing out is that there are other solutions that are even cheaper than the iPad and provide more functionality. They're right.
Please, point them out for me because I researched this before and everything I've seen either looks like it came from 1995 (interface mostly), too expensive to mess with, or requires some type of welding skills I lack and the limited car audio shops have no idea how to make or put together.
This thread is about whether or not the iPad will have a role in people's cars as a car PC. What you are hearing is that, well sure, maybe it will but there are some who aren't interested in it because it either doesn't function the way they want, is difficult to upgrade or load
software on, or is restrictive in terms of developer agreements or expansion capability.
Software hasn't been thought up yet and upgrading an app is a major part of Apple. Regarding restrictions, this depends on what the app will do and how it will function on the device. A lot of what I hear from others is that Apps get restricted because they don't play nice with other apps, have some type of lingering process going on after its exited, or takes information illegally from the device. As long as whatever is developed stays within the guidelines it should be fine.
I would note as well, that putting the iPad in the car is something Apple as a corporation would likely vehemently disagree with. It's not designed for the car and they wouldn't support it's use in the car. Therefore, any use of the iPad in the car is going to have to be based around circumventing the original design of the device for use in a different way than intended by the manufacturer.
Apple sells third party FM docks for cars, allows apps that can control certain aspects of cars. I really don't think Apple cares if people set these up in cars. They probably won't be apart of it sadly but I seriously doubt they would ban developers for trying this.
That, my friends, is called hacking. So, you have to admit that people do have a point here when they say there are other alternatives that are better, cheaper, and easier to use.
Jailbreaking or circumventing the original design is hacking but so is running Windows 7 in a car. Microsoft didn't make the OS to be used in cars but it is. Installing third party Front end screens for your CarPc's is kind of hacking, welding together a nice CarPC in your car is hacking. Is installing an iPad that different?
Case in point - loading car PC software on this thing will most likely rely on it being jailbroken. Unlikely that Apple will let a car front end be built on the iPad. Possibly a media center type of interface but not one specifically for the car.
Again, we don't know what can be allowed. Apple allows all types of apps as long as they follow the rules. There are many car apps in the app store that rely on third party gadgets. Apple doesn't knock them. Apps that require jailbreaking are apps that failed to follow the rules maybe because of ones own ego, lack of funds to fix it, or just a "I don't give a F" mindset.
So, right off the bat you have to break the terms of service to use it. But what if you can't jailbreak? Ah! Well then....er then what? Other slate/tablet devices don't limit you like that -absolutely a downside for the iPad.
Well then we shall wait and see. I don't mind waiting till the summer. And if you're referring to Full OS tablets, they will fail like I've said before. Full OS's on tablets have not been perfected yet, I don't care what people say or have running because if that were the case I'm pretty sure I would see them more often scattered throughout the web.
Actually, I agree with chunky that this will spur competition in the slate arena and we'll all be better off in the long run. In the short run, I'm pretty happy so far. First, we had the iPhone, which showed what can be done with a mobile, always connected device that is easy to use. Now we have the iPad and we'll see how that turns out. Alternatively, we'll have
other devices that are very similar but less restrictive.
Restrictions are sometimes good and is probably why Apple's app store is doing so well. They've reduced the possibilities of people getting fatal errors on their phones, limited the amount of identity theft that could occur with these mobile devices and more. I welcome competition but besides a future WebOS Tablet, Android tablets are a dime a dozen, and HP Slate will most likely be too slow for me.
Pass or fail, the iPad development is a good thing. Frankly, even if you hate it and Apple, you ought to be rooting for it to succeed because that will spawn a whole
series of competitive devices that will all be suitable for experimentation in the car. It's all good.
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by blk02si
, why would you get the iPad over this?
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks