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.