[clug] Vaguely off topic: iPeds and other Android tablets - availability and comparisons to that Apple one

[Hugh Fisher]

jeff wrote:
> I've been wondering if this will stop it being used in some 
> environments. For example, a company would like to use it to replace the 
> stereotypical clipboard, but needs to use an in-house app that is they 
> don't want anyone else to have access to.

If you're a developer - like me - you can write whatever app
you like and install it directly on your iPad. You don't have
to go through the App store or Apple's approval process. For
small scale deployment (max of 99 devices) it's all you need.

Apple have a "Corporate Developer" program (which can be used
by other organisations too) for $US500. This gets you your
own deployment server for creating a standard "image" for
iPhones (and presumably now iPads) including any custom apps
you've developed in house. Again, no approval required.

> Further, it has to operate in 
> a disconnected mode either to keep costs down by elminating the 3G modem 
> and associated running costs, security concerns, or no mobile phone 
> reception in the area it will be used.

Sorry, I don't get this at all. iPad / iPhone apps are stand
alone programs running on a small computer, just like Android.
They're not tied to any remote server / service unless the
programmer wrote it that way.

There's plenty to complain about regarding iPad development,
but "it's impossible to install apps except through the Apple
Store" happens to be false.

	cheers,
	Hugh