Maybe one day an app you depend on will be made no longer allowed by apple's changing policies and then you will get it. shrug

Maybe one day the sky will fall on all our heads. But to your point, sure if an Android phone does the job better for me then I'd buy one. Right now they don't and one of the reasons is the different development and distribution model.

I didn't think this current debate was caused by Apple changing policies, but to actually force Apple to change policies.

At the very least, to play fair. They aren't even being honest when they say everyone gets the same deal on the App Store. We know this isn't true.

A discussion about rates/App Store contracts seems like a different discussion—and one I'm all for.

But I personally would not like having the system I bought as a phone suddenly change in function allowing side-loaded software. (Similar to how I'm not happy that, in time, the PC-controlled Oculus hardware I've owned for several years will soon be useless without an FB account.)

> But I personally would not like having the system I bought as a phone suddenly change in function allowing side-loaded software.

This is exactly the problem. Apple can and does routinely change the functioning of their phones, and if you prefer the old functionality you have no recourse, because Apple contractually forbids you from installing software of your choosing.

My phone hasn’t changed in function. I’m not sure what you’re getting at. They don’t contractually forbid me from anything I haven’t agreed with by buying this device. I bought an iPhone specifically because it is locked down and simple.

Then you wouldn’t install third-party App stores and just use only Apple’s. The choice would be yours. Right now we don’t have a choice, and that is a problem.

I fail to see why people think this is such a problem on this forum. It’s as people think all hell and doom breaks lose if, god forbid, developers are able to distribute apps themselves.

> Right now we don’t have a choice, and that is a problem.

It may be a problem to you, but for other people it's a feature. Some people have more involved threat models than you are keeping in mind. They don't want their device to be able to run arbitrary code or unsigned code. Having this feature but having a toggle to turn it off defeats the purpose.

Maybe you disagree, but HN is shockingly flippant about dismissing this extremely legitimate security concern, and comments like this are a perfect example.

Uh, isn't this was Enterprise registered iPhones are for? I was under the impression Apple are perfectly happy to charge you a ton to be able to have group policy style control over Apple devices. Which would obvious include locking that particular feature down.

Well, and that's kind of an extension of this. Real security where you own the phone and the software for it is a premium feature only available to people who can pay <ask for quote.>

No intentional user-facing arbitrary software installation vectors. Safari, WhatsApp or whatever you use will serve that role whether they were designed to or not.

The only vector would be you.

What are the vectors on android?

Are you concerned about third parties gaining access to your iPhone and installing software you don't want?

Not OP, but of course. This is a realistic threat when traveling internationally and passing through customs. In most countries, if border security agents want to walk off with your phone for a while you can't refuse. Many organizations have a "devices that enter China stay in China" policy for exactly this reason.

Yes???

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/08/fortnites-android-vu...

Ok, so then don't install other app stores on your phone.

Is that really so difficult for you? Why do you need to prevent me from installing other apps stores, when you can just not do that yourself.