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Comment by bilekas | Hacker News Reader

> This is a false choice - there's no reason the iPhone can't be both a walled garden-type device and support alternative OSes/software, just like a computer.

I actually just had this discussion yesterday at length, en-mass, most day-to-day regular users will not focus on their apps, or even care to check the update status of the OS, in the regard iOS offers more 'out of the box' security and thus overall is a better option.

If you allow any other OS for example, you can't manage the security of that device anymore. So no it's not a false choice. It's just a choice.

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> If you allow any other OS for example, you can't manage the security of that device anymore.

Sure, the original manufacturer can't manage the security anymore, but that's kinda the point. As an Android user, when my manufacturer stops shipping security updates I can switch to a custom rom that is still updated.

An android is famously more secure and suffers from less malwares / viruses / ... than iOS due to custom ROM, sideloading etc being available on the device.

Again, the point is that it should be available to the people who want to.

Ok. Simple question, as it stands, how does that benefit the platform.

What is “the platform” exactly?

iOS/iPad OS? Not hard. I'll rephrase, how does what you want benefit the iOS/iPad ecosystem as it stands?

You will need to be more specific, benefit from whose standpoint?

What incentive does Apple have to give you what you are asking for?

Absolutely nothing.

This is part of why they are being forced to allow sideloading in the EU. As it turns out in the real world, the interests of corporations are often at odds with the interests of every day people.

> ...the interests of corporations are often at odds with the interests of every day people.

The same can be said for governments themselves, and vocal self-righteous minorities on the internet...

It's really not a hard question.

> "iOS/iPad OS? Not hard."

Using vague terms like "the platform" are not useful. What does an operating system like "iOS/iPad OS" have to do with the "iOS/iPad ecosystem"? You're not clear even in your own reply. Please try to be more precise.

I'll assume what you're really asking is from the perspective of Apple since the benefit for users is clear - it'll help make more apps available which has network effects of more Apple devices and usage.

> how does that benefit the platform

Why would you care about Apple's profit margins?

These people are perfectly able to do it right now, just by buying another device. If you don’t like that something lacks features you think are important, you just don’t buy it. How does it matter to you what other people do with their phone? It’s not like Android is in danger of disappearing or anything

I don’t care what other people do with their phone. Why do you care so much that I want to be able to do more with my iPhone?

If you’re upset that something you bought does not do something that it was never advertised it could do, and in fact is notorious for not doing, then the problem is squarely on your side. Plenty of people did know what they were buying into.

Complaining is one thing, saying that their users, overall, are unhappy with the product requires at least some serious references and a good narrative.

Nobody here is confused. We know what devices we bought, and we know what they do and don't support today. That's the point. Otherwise there wouldn't be a discussion in the first place to talk about what they can, and likely should do.

And that's what this is - a discussion (on a discussion forum). If you're upset that you people don't share your views, the problem is squarely on your side. Plenty of people can understand and discuss the topic though.

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