iPhone: The OS with big aspirations
And big opportunities for Cupertino lock-in
Apple is advertising for an Engineering Manager to take the iPhone OS onto new platforms and new hardware, extending the OS, and the Cupertino control that goes with it.
With the iPad not yet out of the door, Apple is already looking at ways to extend the iPhone platform onto other hardware, as the advertisement spotted by Computer World demonstrates:
"The Core Platform team within Apple's Core OS organization is looking for a talented and inspired manager to lead a team focused on bring-up of iPhone OS on new platforms."
It should come as no surprise that Apple would like to see the locked-down OS elsewhere - having complete control of the platform is very attractive, as any games-console developer will tell you. Computer World points out that Apple TV would be a good place to start. Connected to the iTunes store it has huge potential, but that would likely be only the beginning of Apple's aspirations for its smallest OS.
One can imagine an Apple Mini sporting the OS: able to run only Apple-approved applications. Even low-end laptops would be adequately served by the iPhone OS. It would certainly bring an unprecedented level of security to the platform - achieving what Microsoft tried with Palladium when it promised virus-free computing if only we'd cede a little control to Redmond.
We wouldn't: but iPhone users are happy to have Apple controlling the applications they can run on their own hardware, and those who want an iPad are about to join the controlled-by-Cupertino club. It's possibly a small step to see the majority of computer users being happy to join them.
Of course, those of us on the outside will sit feeling superior, 'cos we can run any application we like on our virus-ridden, Trojan-infected, malware-stuffed, desktop computers. ®
COMMENTS
Speak for yourself...
"Of course, those of us on the outside will sit feeling superior, 'cos we can run any application we like on our virus-ridden, Trojan-infected, malware-stuffed, _Windows based_ desktop computers."
Fixed that for you. Those of us on Linux are just fine, thanks :)
Sign me up.
I think that's a great idea. A computer I spend zero time pissing about with, that will do web browsing, mail and some light work plus the odd game would be a big step up. It'd replace the old laptop I use for the same purpose that I still have to piss around with to keep updated.
Lock in? Who cares for a device like that, so long as it does the basic stuff? I'll still have a 'proper' machine for everything else, where the pissing about time is a bit more justified.
@JayB
^^
Sense of humour obviously removed (possibly as a result of being infected by the Winblows Trojan)
Way to shill for Apple
"Of course, those of us on the outside will sit feeling superior, 'cos we can run any application we like on our virus-ridden, Trojan-infected, malware-stuffed, desktop computers"
Wow, biggest "Shilling for Apple" since "Stephen Fry and the iPad".
Look, not everyone wants to hand full on control of the family jewels to Apple. Just look at the level of puritanical dictatorship being demonstrated by the Jobsian State at the mo'.
We don't all love Apple, we're not all New Media Luvvies, and we're not all running "virus-ridden, Trojan-infected, malware-stuffed" systems. Deal with it, move on and next time, try for a little objectivity.
Horses for courses…
I actually think it's a good idea.
Not that I'd ever buy an iPad or a laptop loaded with the iPhone OS, but the more I see my parents struggle to accomplish the most basic tasks with their new Windows 7 laptop, the more I think something like this would be ideal for them. They had only just got used to XP (after 6 years!) so Windows 7 is a big ask for them.
Their computer is always fully patched and running a fully up to date virus scanner, but every time I visit them I have to clean some form of malware from the machine. And it's not that they do anything more than surf the net and use email (and solitaire of course). It's just that if they have friends with a virus, they are simply not tech-savy enough to spot an email with a virus attached if it's from someone they know. And, to be honest, why should they need to know how to do that? The virus checker deals with that… right? Well… we all know that's not always true.
Something that would let them surf, email, look at pictures and play a few card games, that is secure and not overly complicated would be a godsend not only to them, but also to me and my brother, who have to explain how to use Windows/clean malware on a weekly basis.
I don't get this whole 'Apple Control blah blah' thing. It's a consumer device, not a desktop computer. I don't hear these people complain about the PS3 or XBOX not being open to any software they want to run. Sony, like Apple also make Laptops, so they do make computers and MS make an OS just like Apple does too (well, not exactly the same ;) ). So why so many complaints when Apple makes a consumer device that has a restricted feature set? Sony, Nokia, Microsoft, Samsung, Nintendo etc. all make devices that could do more than the manufacturer 'allows' you to do. It's a consumer device, not a desktop/laptop computer. If you don't like it, don't buy it.
