Apple can actually do anything on iOS, so iOS devices are computers obeying them, not you.

iOS devices are running a derivative of straight up macOS that your MacBook is running too. As computers, they are as real as any.

The "only run approved software" part is a restriction imposed by Apple. It is not because of a physical limitation that makes them not real computers.

So they are like set top boxes and game consoles then? Just like the person you replied to said.

Yes. Parent also said that they are not real computers. What I am saying is that they are.

With the set top box, the fact that there’s a computer in there is just an implementation detail.

Technically there’s a real computer in my refrigerator, my printer, and my headphones but I don’t have any expectation that these are general purpose computers that are available for me to compute on. I think it’s those expectations that matter and it isn’t always black and white.

I look at my phone as being similar to a PS5. I understood that both devices were somewhat locked down when I bought and in fact that’s part of the reason I bought them. If the PS5 had an authorized mode that could run any software it would be a worse device. If I wanted something more open, those devices are available and that’s what I would have bought (and have bought in the past).

The fact that there's a computer in there means that there's a computer in there, which is the OP's point.

Yes, we get it, those computers are intentionally locked down by their manufacturers. That lockdown is what the problem is.

This is, in a way, both a statement of fact as well as sarcastic. There is a whole range of computer systems, from very open, general purpose, to closed. Apple thinks phones are closed special purpose systems, but like the OP, many of us don’t.

Many of who? I'd wager that the us in this case is an extremely small, but drastically loud group of individuals.

> iOS devices are not "real" computers. They're more comparable to game consoles or TV set top boxes. They're special purpose computing devices that can only run approved software.

You can use this argument to justify anything companies want to lock down.

A more common and descriptive term for this is "general purpose computer", (as distinct from "special purpose computers", e.g. rokus, ATMs, and iphones).