[Full Disclosure–while I have used Apple products since the late 1970s and only painfully deal with a PC when forced at work, I do not own (nor foresee owning) a touch iPod, iPhone or iPad. Maybe I’ll have an iPad when they get a camera, but not for now].
If you’ve paid any attention to the ongoing debates about Apple’s groundbreaking products (well, they are all ground breaking, but we’ll stay mobile today), then you know all about the war with Adobe and flash. Much of the web has flash based products (videos, apps, games) that are used on the websites. Apple and its legendary leader Steve Jobs however has made a big deal of NOT adopting flash.
Typically, the PC-leaning world and press have bashed Apple over this decision. Well, Jobs has finally replied and its powerful. Bottom line, Steve throws out the accusation (and his proof) that its Adobe who is a proprietary, closed system, not Apple. And he goes on from there.
While this debate isn’t necessarily about “Success for Life,” there is a small tie in here that I will be developing in the weeks to come. We are awash in the most exciting transformation of communication, technology and information exchange since the 1400s. This is VERY connected to the future of our world, for good or ill. At the core of the debate is what the outcome portends for our future. The idea of “open source” and “free exchange of information” lies at the heart of issues of freedom in China (see the recent war between China and Google), revolution in Iran and concepts of pure democracy in the USA.
Take a good read of Steve’s ideas for his device. It may not change your love or hate for Apple, nor change your mind about the various devices, but his ideas and concepts are part of a growing reservoir of opinions about the concepts of open source. Regardless of the outcome in the next decade, I can promise you its going to be a wild ride.