kempathonnodge

On one hand, the walled garden works perfectly for me, I’m happy to support businesses by purchasing apps and for apple to take a commission. 

On the other hand, I do see that I own a device that I paid money for, and I should be allowed to install whatever I want on it, and apple shouldn’t be in onto of that. 

BUT, in the latter situation, should I be entitled to free updates of the software on my phone? Should I be entitled to keep my phone connected to apple’s ecosystem, where my phone could be a source of malware and insecurity for my contacts, as my phone could be so easily compromised? Should I be able to repair my phone in a way that compromises the above?

I have followed apple for 25 years now, and I still believe that they have proved their ability to act in a way which generally is pro-consumer by their philosophy. To me, Apple being forced to licence their software to other hardware companies, to allow unauthorised (as in part pairing) repairs, allowing side-loading and allowing companies to use and install software developed for their platforms without paying apple anything are not net benefits to the consumer.

if people want phones like that - go and buy an android. 

We all buy into iPhone because apple takes care of the reliability and security - a moving target that requires constant work. They also ‘guarentee’ that our phones will receive all this for 6-8 years after our purchase. This ecosystem comes at little ongoing cost to the consumer, but I’m happy to pay the ‘apple tax’ on purchases I have made of the App Store, and to follow the restrictions put on me to not have a device I can pull apart and install what I like on. If you want that phone - alternatives are available from other companies. 

 I’m pleased to see a shift into repairability, but the only people who will benefit from the world sweeney wants is more money in his pocket, and a degraded experience for customers, and smaller developers being pushed out of any opportunity to compete in the market. 

Forcing third party apps, allowing back doors and allowing the OS to be installed on other devices does. 

The Lunacy, however, of focusing on issues like these over the TINY amount of Tax companies pay, the lobbying of governments or the environmental impact, is hard to state. These have an ACTUAL impact on the lives of EU and world citizens… let’s stop playing around the edges. 

Maybe these employees in apple are right to be frustrated, but I, for one, prefer a company to do what is right for the user, rather than progress without guardrails. 

Keep going Apple, more haste less speed.