Below is a response I wrote to a blog entry from choirguy on his blog entry, Competition for the iPad?
Hello Choirguy.
After searching for iPad apps for sheet music I subscribed to your blog.
I find the article competition for the iPad particularly interesting.
First, let me say that I am not an Apple fan.
For my usage, my Windows computers or Linux computers can do anything Apple can, only cheaper.
I don't really like Apple, they seem to have become what they fought against (Microsoft, totalitarian, Big Brother)
They seem totalitarian to me because they control the entire ecosystem of their product.
If you want an app released to the store, Apple must approve it.
If you want to run their software, buy their hardware, it has the software on it.
Even little things in the iPad, which does not have such common items like a usb port, or a (micro)SD card slot or hdmi port seem to feed my thinking that Apple is totalitarian. You can only input/output what Apple has approved, no expandability or options.
However, the fact remains, as all my Apple/Mac using friends remind me anytime the word computer is mentioned, their Apple stuff from 20 years ago still works and they have not rebooted it since then. (Really, you have not lost power or moved, can I get on your power grid?) Yes, you pay more up front they argue, but then you don't have to spend money down the road, on stuff such as anti-virus software. (I use free anti-virus software and don't get viruses, but then I am not the typical user and most claims of "my computer has a virus" is not due to a virus but conflicting software/hardware, user error, etc)
For the first time in my life (30+ years) I find myself desiring/saving/selling things to get an Apple product, the iPad.
Yes, I really want/expected the iPad generation 1 to have an hdmi port, an card slot, at least a slave usb port, and although I don't care about it/plan on using it, the iPad generation 1 should of had at least a front facing camera.
I think some of these things are going to be addressed with the iPad 2, but in 2010, I would think they would come on the first build.
The reason I desire an iPad is for the reasons you mention in the Feb 12, 2011 blog "Competition to the iPad" http://techinmusiced.wordpress.com/2011/02/12/competition-for-the-ipad/
1st, the apps.
I have yet to find an app that can do the job of being a sheet music reader for Android. I am looking for something like Forscore or Unrealbook, but have found nothing for Android.
2nd, fragmentation.
You mention several versions of Android in your blog, but the version I see installed on most Android tablets right now is 1.6, which does not have access to the Android market place. Without Google leading on this, then yes, things don't work on some devices where they work on others.
3rd, the competition.
As you mentioned, the big names are dragging their feet in getting high quality usable tablets to the market.
The only possible contender in my opinion for the iPad comes from Archos in their 101 tablet.
The problem with the 101 tablet is apps, currently, their is nothing available for Android that is close to Forscore or Unrealbook. (Although I have been in contact with Musicreader, as they are they only esheet music company I could find that even mentioned Android. Version 4.0 is due out in a couple of days, and I have confirmed Android IS NOT supported at this time. Plus, without using any of the software mentioned, Musicreader seems the least intuitive, most cumbersome and most expensive of the thee).
So choirguy, I am ready for my first Apple device for all the reasons you mentioned in you article.
Ironically, I want the iPad for the reasons I don't like Apple, they control it entirely so it just works.
Ok, go ahead and call me a hypocrite if you must. I still want an iPad.
