Professor Jonathan Zittrain says that the iPhone is "sterile" and turns consumers into passive users of technology.

Writing in his newly published book The Future Of The Internet And How To Stop It, Professor Zittrain of the Oxford Internet Institute says that the key to the internet's success – open architecture – is now undermining it.

He fears that over-regulation, the ubiquity of gadgets and internet security fears could destroy an innovative tradition.

Prof Zittrain believes that there is a movement away from the "generative internet" – a term he uses to describe the open, creative, innovative approach that helped drive the web.

The iPhone is singled out for special mention. Although most owners are in awe of its capabilities and ease of use, Zittrain holds it up as being the opposite of innovation as it comes pre-programmed and only Apple-approved applications can be installed on it.

He suggest that future technologies need to be designed to help individuals rather than enslave them. Prof Zittrain also called on surfers to become "netizens" – active participants in the online world rather than passive consumers.

http://futureoftheinternet.org

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