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I think Apple has the potential to change the way we handle information in both schools and hospitals (and of course private practices). Both of these are usually still using outdated Hardware/Software from ~2000 so they will have to be replaced in the near future.

I just don't know if it's good for a school to buy into a closed environment, like the one Apple provides.

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Don't most schools already buy into Microsoft's closed environment?

Does Microsoft charge you a fee to develop and sell an app? No. But once you're locked into the iApps, iBooks, iTunes U, iUniverse - Apple gets its 30% off the top. And no alternatives are allowed.

Uh, yes, Microsoft DOES charge you a fee...it's called "paying out the ass for your tools".

What did Visual Studio Enterprise cost last time I looked for a small company (like a start up)? $1600 a pop. More than what's needed for a Mac Mini, an iPod Touch, and a Apple Developer License/Cert.

The same tools (XCode) cost $5.

(And you'd still have to pay for your hardware/OS on top of that $1600). And that's not counting MSDN fees, either.

Make no mistake: Microsoft milks its marketshare of developers just as much as anyone else. It's just a different way of pricing.

Mircosoft is also working towards launching it's own walled garden with a 70/30 split, from what I hear, due in late 2012. So then, they'll be a double stab

"Does Microsoft charge you a fee to develop and sell an app?"

If you want to sell your mobile app in Microsoft's Marketplace, then yes. They charge the same as Apple does in the iOS App Store.

If you want to sell your desktop app in Microsoft's Marketplace, then yes. They'll charge the same as Apple does in the Mac App Store.

If you want to sell a desktop app outside of Microsoft's Marketplace, then no, that's free. Just like it is on the Mac.

Well, there's no other alternative at the moment. The only thing students are bound by is the curriculum and recommended texts. I for one, hope Amazon get onto it too. It's just a shame it's always Apple innovating and the rest left catching up. How and why did Amazon not see this as an opportunity years ago? They must sell thousands of text books each year and ship them everywhere.

Like Kodak, Amazon was making too much money off the analog format to seriously consider a move that would kill the current cash cow. Dabble in the digital alternative, yes, but ready for massive game changes from near-unexpected competition and overnight adoption by customers, not so much.

What's great about Apple entering the space is it inspires competitors. I'd love to see a bunch of businesses pop up around this.

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