There is a very easy solution to the problem, don't like the computer/phone? Buy a different one!
I totally agree its really stupid to go to such great lengths to lock down devices like they do, but at the same time it really doesn't hurt anyone because anyone who doesn't like it can just buy one of the million (vastly less expensive) alternatives.
"Courts do not require a literal monopoly before applying rules for single firm conduct; that term is used as shorthand for a firm with significant and durable market power — that is, the long term ability to raise price or exclude competitors."
https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/competition-guidance/guide-a...
As to your point, don't confuse the market of phone devices with the market for apps. If I, as a developer, want to sell my apps what is my choice? The only real choice is Android or iOS.
https://www.businessofapps.com/data/app-revenues/
According to this iOS had two thirds of total sales. I'm probably going to want to develop for that, but oops, I only have one app store choice.
Most android phones are either in the good area or in the gray zone of the line that shouldn't be crossed. It's difficult to instruct a user on how to add a third party store, and that has much to do with both this almost always being a bad idea as well as customizations on the devices that might make the instructions not the same for all of them.
I also wonder if android applications have need to install as root, or if the system might have a stub that handles this but then isolates the privilege level by classifying applications as individual users / cgroups.
Nextcloud, Matrix, Discord, Signal, Telegram, Skype, Zoom, hell even Pidgin. These are all competitors to Apple's Facetime -- they all have voice and/or video chat on Linux, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS.
Here, let me help you start the conversation that way:
> You: Hey mom/dad/friend/acquaintance/boss, I'm going to use a different program to talk to people who don't have an iPhone. Can you install it and talk to me on it for a bit and test it?
> Mom/dad/friend/acquaintance/boss: Yeah sure what's the app?
> Another mom/dad/friend/acquaintance/boss: What? No.
I wonder which way the conversation will go?
Perhaps they should be allowed to buy an appliance where most of their basic computing needs have great, widely used, secure solutions out of the box.
On phones, in the US, they have a dominant position. US Anti-trust doesn't require a absolute monopoly; merely having a dominant position is enough to prohibit anti-competitve behaviors.
I'm honestly surprised how many people come out of the woodwork to defend apple's app store policies.
> Probably the one that's full of fake apps and malware.
If all other marketplaces are shady then why is that? Is it because Apple has locked out any way for a competing marketplace to afford to protect users? If you know of specific instances of fake apps and malware being distributed on other legitimate marketplaces why don't you name such a marketplace and get it improved?
> Or you can write desktop apps and sell them however you'd like.
Desktop apps target a completely different user-base with different wants and needs. That's like asking people wanting to make and sell cars to consider making toys instead.
How much longer do you think this will be possible?
Or maybe it will still be possible, somehow.
But not without going through some hard to navigate loops and dire threats to life and limb when you proceed with installing software from somebody who couldn't or wouldn't pay up for the necessary certificates.
I'm happy to have my house in Apple's gated community because I know every day I'll drive out to Linuxville at the edge of town and work in my shop filled with sharp tools.
Like in real life, you could absolutely choose to always go to the one expensive shop you trust rather than a cheap one in a dodgy street.
Wishing for the shop you like to have and use the power to remove the other ones from existence has nothing to do with your own security.
there is no reason you couldn't have this while also having competing app stores. All you would need to do is not install the competing app stores.
Same way people blamed Microsoft when Bonzi Buddy made their computer barf.
Right now the perception of iPhones is that they work. Soon as people are tricked (and given the $$$ at stake that will happen) into installing malware infested garbage, the platform's rep will take a hit.
Android used to allow apps a lot more freedom, but then android phones turned into ad filled monstrosities with a battery life measured in fractions of a day, and Google had to clamp down.