decoderring

My reaction and my feelings about Tim Cook and Apple on this issue would only get my comment deleted…

mike1 said:

The only people who push for side loading are criminals. Thieves and scammers are chomping at the bit as unaware consumers begin clicking on ads that will look like legit apps but downloading malware and other malicious software. Who would even want an app from a developer who is too lazy or cheap to go through the app store process?!

That's absolutely not true and honestly a ridiculous way to view the situation.

Sideloading is also the appropriate response for people who don't want to have to give a company all of its personal info just to download an app or update the system software. That Apple has locked people into a system that requires the user to give up all details of use of a phone is unacceptable. And while part of the reason is justifiably to limit the spread of viruses and other malware -- something I appreciated for a long while --, Apple has "evolved" to become a major harvester of personal data to constantly advertise its services to people. And that's where Apple lost me.

SuntanIronMan said:

jfreedle2 said:

Side loading is moronic and stupid, and only an idiot would suggest it. I feel sorry that some idiot is attempting to “require” it. 

Anybody remember when “side loading” was simply called… you know… “loading”?

Before centralized app stores owned by the OS makers was a thing, downloading an application from wherever was simply what everybody did. It is what you can still do on MacOS (and typically we don’t start calling people “idiots” for doing that).

Also, be nice. Calling everybody an idiot doesn’t make you cool. You can disagree while still being nice. You don’t have to. Nobody can force you. Do whatever you want. But… it would be nice to be nice.

Major thumbs up to this response — thank you!!!

dope_ahmine said:

Today, the board of our company group took the decision that we will leave all American operating systems and computer brands, and move to Linux. Personally, I understand this decision and stand firmly behind it.

After many, many years on this forum, and a loyal Apple customer since the mid-80’s, I therefore say … Goodbye Apple Insider. Yesterday, our love relation ended.

I’ve done the same thing personally. I’ve been on Linux exclusively for the past month. Despite the teething pains and the steep learning curve, I’m glad to be returning to what computing is supposed to be about: personal agency. Apple lost its way and became another personal data harvester obsessed with nickel and diming customers so that it could spend millions currying favour with unsavoury governments.

My next phone will not be iOS-based. If it weren’t still so performant, I’d make the switch now.