I’m not encouraged by the trend of mobile device makers to turn every conceivable function into an app, a smaller bite-sized version of something. Give me a bowl of ice cream, and leave the bon bons in the freezer. Apps for the most minimalist functions. I want robust, powerful tools, not five tiny tools of limited functionality required for a larger purpose. Apps are for the brain dead. Give me the power of a heavy weight program that can get work done. I want to install it locally on my computer and own it forever. The movement to the browser (through Web 2.0) and the mobile device is a step back in terms of software development. The tasks that we had perfected have returned to the days of the 80s: limited UIs, functionality, and usage. Without a warning, an online service (i.e. Lala, Ning) folds. Apps on my IPod Touch will eventually be made obsolete in two years.

I love the openness and freedom of the personal computing space (found via a laptop or desktop computer with software installed locally on a computer). I feel handcuffed by many online web tools and IPhone apps limited by bandwidth and tiny screens.  I dare you to try getting a document or video in and out of an IPod Touch or a cell phone and move it from one computer to another. Every little tool costs a dollar here and a dollar there. How often did people pay for software in the PC environment? Most software, outside of professional level programs like Office or Adobe, and Windows, was shareware or freeware.   You could install what you wanted and use it how you wanted.

I have to pay an additional fee ($15) to use the MLB app EVERY YEAR (even after I’ve paid $100 for the streaming service) and advertisements fill the limited real estate of small screens on most of the free apps, driving me to delete them. I’ve had an IPod Touch for two years, and I have only bought a handful of apps and have no more than three screens of apps.  Once I buy an app, it’s soon to become out-of-date if I buy a future IPod Touch. The IPad wants me to pay two or three times the amount for apps, even though I would have to dish out $500 to get it.

As a cost-conscious user, I think we should all take a five year break for the day when mobile phones become more CPU capable and break free of all the restrictions and experience the freedom we have enjoyed in the personal computing space for years.  I can live with the fear of malware and viruses for the ability to use any software in an open environment without being nicked and dimed for everything. I love my IPod Touch, but my joy is tempered by how awesome it could be if it had the freedom of my simple $1000 laptop.