There is no doubt in my mind that the iPad will open up the internet to a whole new segment of the market. It will allow people to use the internet without the complexities of a modern desktop system. It will also, as Stowe Boyd states in his article Why Closed works, it changes the metaphors used when interacting with a device. No longer will we think in terms of our data, but instead our processes – our tasks will dictate the data, rather than data dictating our tasks / apps. Users will be free from the scattered file-system, free from the files that they cant open because they cant find the app to open it.

But, and its a big but, How does this affect our freedom to create information, to distribute it?

The Flash battle

Flash will never be on the iPad. Period. I agree completely with Zeldmans post Flash, iPad, Standards. Flash is bad for a lot of things, but does have its uses: 3D perhaps? Could flash not be implemented in a restricted capacity? HTML5 is fantastic, there’s no getting around that, but what about all the people on all users who don’t have whizzbang iPads, iPhones, and a 17″ macbook pro? Some people still use computers from 5 or 10 years ago. Do they lose out or do we include them. This will create a issue similar to the Internet Explorer 6 headache that we may finally be free from. Do we really want to go back to that?

The web is a wonderful place. It is inclusive, inspiring and free. I fear whilst the iPad indeed creates a new market and opportunities for fresh thinking it also restricts our basic freedoms as Internet users. Whilst many will never want to go past the functionality it offers, shouldn’t I be able to?

A more troubling precedent

There are arguments that access to the internet is a human right such as the recent Google vs. China debacle. The internet was create to facilitate the sharing of information and to connect people. In a 2002 interview Cerf were quote as saying:

“It scares me if a government uses the Internet to get control over its population, It’s just like trying to control the newspapers or TV. Democracy is founded on the free flow of information. Fortunately it’s hard to effectively filter the Internet today.” source

By allowing one company, such as Apple or even Microsoft, dictate how we interact with the Internet are we not succumbing to the same censorship? It is already the case you cannot upload files on websites using an iPhone. To achieve this you must use an app, built on Apples code, subject to apples vetting.

Now I understand that this does provide a certain quality control. Apple rightly so guard the quality of the experience on their systems. I argue that whilst this is understandable it is far from acceptable. I SHOULD be able to opt out, to take more control. I do not think the mentaility of the iPad is too far away from the attitude google previous took in relation to China. If this method of interaction became dominent, could it become acceptable for governments to restrict what we can do? Would the likes of Apple cooperate? and more importantly would we?

If we were given an iPad as kids instead of clunky 486’s, Pencils and a sketchpad would we still be doing what we do today? Or would we be checking emails and talking about our next trip to Starbucks?

My argument is that whilst my view may seem extreme, they are not unrealistic in this world where people are increasingly subjected to a “nanny-like” culture. Dont be distracted by the things you are offered. Consider the implications. I think Bill Hicks summarised my feelings best with a line from his stand-up:

“Go back to sleep, America. Everything is under control. Here’s ‘American Gladiators’. Watch this. Shut up.” — Bill Hicks

Id be interested to hear your thoughts, I think it is going to be a very interesting year. Anyone wanna buy me an iPad?

Tags: ipad, iphone, opinion, web