Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Technology => Topic started by: Geezer on 21/04/2011 07:39:45

Title: Are Apps making OS irrelevant?
Post by: Geezer on 21/04/2011 07:39:45

Operating systems are OK, but when you boil it all down, all they really do is supply some basic services to the applications that run on a computer. (BTW, this is not new. That has been always been the case.)

Recently, in a moment of extreme weakness, I allowed Mrs G go to the "dark side" and acquire an I-Pad. Suddenly, we're in App heaven.

Sooooo, it seems the application chappies have finally got the upper hand over the operating system chappies. It's probably overdue, but what do you think?

Title: Are Apps making OS irrelevant?
Post by: imatfaal on 21/04/2011 13:13:56

i dunno - my security conscious laptop is refusing to allow iTunes to be installed.  grrr

Title: Are Apps making OS irrelevant?
Post by: JP on 21/04/2011 15:24:44

Not to nitpick, but doesn't the iPad run on the iOS operating system?  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS_(Apple)

(OK, I am nitpicking.)

Title: Are Apps making OS irrelevant?
Post by: Geezer on 21/04/2011 21:24:25

Quote from: JP on 21/04/2011 15:24:44

Not to nitpick, but doesn't the iPad run on the iOS operating system?  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS_(Apple)

(OK, I am nitpicking.)

Indeed it does. I have not delved into IOS, but the model does seem to be a bit different from the usual MS model. For example, utilities that you find in MS don't even exist in IOS. You have to get an App instead.

The distinction is quite subtle. It's probably more of a business decision than a technology decision, but it will be interesting to see where this goes.

I don't much care for the user interface on the ipad. I find it a bit "gimmicky", but Mrs G is completely besotted with her ipad. She has not put it down since she got it!

Title: Are Apps making OS irrelevant?
Post by: imatfaal on 26/04/2011 14:10:27

I don't know about the ipad - but I have had an iphone for years and the main problem is lack of control of one's documents/files.  I have seen apps on the iphone that are beautifully crafted for the small screen - but the idea that on an ipad I could use them for business purposes is ludicrous.  For the simple, mundane everyday tasks and for silliness that makes things more fun then I am a great supporter of the iphone model - but for actual work, no chance.  They only introduced multi-tasking with this version of the software.  As a toy and gimmick it is unrivalled and I love it - but as a serious replacement for a windows/linux oldfashioned pc - no chance.

Title: Are Apps making OS irrelevant?
Post by: Geezer on 26/04/2011 22:58:01

Quote from: imatfaal on 26/04/2011 14:10:27

As a toy and gimmick it is unrivalled and I love it - but as a serious replacement for a windows/linux oldfashioned pc - no chance.

That's what I tried to tell Mrs G. Unfortunately, her reply was quite inappropriate for this forum.