Comment by eptcyka | Hacker News Reader

Comment by eptcyka | Hacker News Reader

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It's a false dichotomy to assume that execution of your own code on a device necessarily implies a necessity to be a sysadmin of your own device. It doesn't have to be this way. iOS and it's devices are great for many reasons, but it still can't do all the things I'd want my phone to be able to do because Apple believes it knows better than I do about what I should be able to do with the hardware I own. It's OK to like Apple products, there are many people who are well served by them, and I realize I'm in the minority when it comes to my gripes with their devices. They're also a billion dollar company, their revenue rivals the GDP of most countries - they're allowed to receive criticism without unpaid support on an online forum.

I personally would just like to be able to run my own code without having to publish it on the app store or having to deal with recomipiling and reinstalling apps every two weeks. I'd also love to be able to use my GPG keys via NFC, something an iPhone definitely has the hardware to do, but Apple has decided to not allow it.

I understand that sentiment. So a question in response: if you continue buying more of those devices regardless of those limitations, why? Why not an alternative that would give you those possibilities?

It comes from a general ideological belief that the owner of a physical device that happens to be able to run code should get full control over such execution, even if it goes against the wishes of the manufacturer of that device.

I fully understand your argument. It’s the same argument I originally replied to at the top of this discussion. I simply shared my opinion about my conscious choice to stay within the walled garden.

As for your argument, we solve the "government regulation leading to Facebook sucking up your data" problem (if we hypothesize about a future where the user's right to control is enforced through law) with more government regulation (good privacy laws and strict enforcement), not by relying on another private company whose's objectives may change at any time.

Why did it not happen so far?

At least in the US, because of lobbying and potential constitutional issues (Privacy laws that exist in Europe may collide negatively with the First Amendment if passed in America)

I carry around an android phone and an iOS phone. If I didn't have to develop for iOS, I would solely carry around the Pixel 5 with GrapheneOS.

To your point here: > I'd also love to be able to use my GPG keys via NFC, something an iPhone definitely has the hardware to do, but Apple has decided to not allow it.

This is possible since iOS13 I think. I use my GPG keys in a YubiKey to unlock my Pass for iOS app.

Via NFC?

Yes

> It's a false dichotomy

You keep saying this. Do you have any actual evidence?

I mean, any modern device such as a Mac or a Windows laptop or an Android phone allows running your own code and it doesn’t require you to be a sysadmin to do that. What evidence do you need?

Care to put forward a counterargument instead of using rethoric?

Years of actual experience with devices, some even with unlockable boot loaders. Non sysadmins don't go around unlocking their own devices if they don't already have a strong desire to do so.

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