What do the upcoming iPad 3 and one of the most famous writers of our generation have to do with each other, and what do I mean by using them in the same blog post? Simply, the third law of one of my Top 5 favorite authors sets us up nicely and provides a tip of the hat to this very famous author. Arthur has affected Science, Astronomy, Science Fiction and Reality in ways that have provided all the citizens of the world with the life that we have today.
This is the third post that I have made on this subject. Please see: The iPad Tsunami: Does it Matter? And how is it Used? And Proof: The iPad Is Affecting Consumer PC Sales for my earlier thoughts. Further, they are making moves to prepare to be even more competitive with the iPad3. Today, Apple is on track to be the leading global Personal Computer (PC) vendor and the iPad could actually begin the decline of Microsoft itself!
Clarke’s Three Laws are three “laws” of prediction formulated by the British writer and scientist Arthur C. Clarke. They are:
- When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong.
- The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.
- Arthur C Clarke – Sri Lanka
- Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
His Third law, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” applies to today’s discussion, I am writing this post on my brand new, spanking iPad 2, an overly generous Christmas / Birthday gift from my Son Erik and his bride-to-be. I cannot thank them enough and, in the 48 hours that I have had it, Mr. Clark’s Third Law came to mind.
I have been a part of the Information Technology (I.T.) industry since the I.T. was born. I did not drink the “Apple Cool-Aid” when it was first offered. I have never owned a Mac, but have had more than 10 Intel / Windows-based computers. IT guys HAVE to be able to get “under the hood”, both hardware and software-wise, to extract the greatest satisfaction from the experience!
My first computer was a Radio Shack TRS-80 on which I taught my Sons to program in BASIC before the age of 10. Since then I have personally picked up two iPods, an iPhone 3GS, and now my wonderful iPad. All these devices are beautifully engineered, durable, functional and still work! Only two of my INTEL PC’s survive today. My Son Erik has picked up the mantle and amongst his many accomplishments, he is probably better with computer hardware than I am! I have worked with them since 1968, the year that Erik was born.
On the day that I was born, so was the ENIAC computer (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer). It fired up in Philadelphia, PA at the Moore School of Electrical Engineering, part of the University of Pennsylvania – where my Mother earned two degrees. ENIAC’s place in Computer History is legend.
“It was the first general-purpose electronic computer. It was a Turing-complete digital computer capable of being reprogrammed to solve a full range of computing problems.” Originally designed to calculating artillery tables to help fight the war, it made a far more significant contribution by mathematically simulating the first atomic bomb! I joined this revolution when punched Hollerith paper cards and paper tape were the preferred method of programming and entering data into a computer.
The next real advance that captured my imagination was a device called the Apple Knowledge Navigator. This was a breakthrough in imagination and vision in 1987 when it was created by: Apple Computer (contact Hugh Dubberly dubberly@applelink.apple.com). In that six minute film, I was totally hooked on computers. I WANTED that capability, I needed to contribute to the industry that would create that capability – the only question was when? I was convinced in 1987 that this was the “Next BIG Thing” and I continue to be so convinced!
Knowledge Navigator by Apple – 1987
Please forgive the resolution of this video; it was shot 25 years ago!
Well, dear readers, I estimate the ‘when’ is next March or so. To accomplish it we need the Apple iPod2 hardware, iOS 5.1 and an application called SIRI. Today SIRI runs on the iPhone 4S. It uses the same remarkable Apple A5 processor (also the core of the iPad2), the iOS5 operating system (ditto, the same Operating System (OS), and what is lacking is the integration. You just need a few ‘tuned’ applications, whose linking has been available for a long time, using technologies similar to Objects Linking and Imbedding (OLE).
I am convinced that the “Big Hook” for Apple to get you to buy the new iPad3 will be SIRI integration. Please click the link and take the time to watch the QuickTime Video See how Siri works“. Compare that video to the Knowledge Navigator video to see what I mean about a 25- year-old dream of John Sculley, has developed. A higher resolution screen is a probability in the iPad 3, and camera upgrades are also possible.
Because of the iPad, Apple will to overtake Hewlett Packard (HP) as Top PC Vendor by Mid-2012. As HP is the clear leader today, what a breakthrough! Lastly, it is rumored that Apple could have three iPads on sale next year! Anybody want to bet on Microsoft’s long term viability?
- Computing Where YOU Want To Compute!
My iPad2 is the Wi-Fi version only. In my opinion you need to have pretty specialized needs to need to purchase the 3G version. Simply install a $30 wireless modem in your home and you are surfing without limitations (or costly data plan).
Cliff
Please forgive this shameless plug! I promise to stop when the Holiday season is over. Many of you have asked how you can help keep this blog going. I write the blog to promote my book “Views from Sandhausen”. It is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, starting at $2.99 for an electronic version (all formats), $9.95 for the soft cover, and $19.95 (now on sale) for the hardcover.
In its least expensive format, it is less than a penny per page! You get a interesting, funny, provocative, and informative view into life in Europe. It is quite a deal, just in time for the holidays.
It is also available from Amazon.co.UK as well as Amazon.DE
FREE Chapters 1 to 5 from Views from Sandhausen, available here: http://wp.me/P1Dqyz-P
Enjoy this fast-paced and funny read! Happy Holidays to you all. We plan many more posts as well as a new book in 2012. Stay tuned!
End of plug….:-)
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