Hot take: I don't think this is okay for game consoles either. If I want to install a GameCube emulator on my PS5 I should be able to and there's nothing Sony should be able to do to stop me. If that means they eventually end up having to charge more for their hardware to make up for reduced software sales, so be it. If they really insist on trying to force their customers to only install stuff through their app store, they can make them sign an explicit contract to that effect. Doing the same thing implicitly via extralegal means isn't an improvement.
Why does this matter when you can buy other computers that allow you to install whatever software you want? Why do all computers have to work the way you want instead of you just purchasing ones that have the features you want?
The computers themselves generally do work the way I want, my issue is that the manufacturers have put in place artificial restrictions to prevent me from using them in any way other than the way they want. I don't mind reasonably justifiable technical limitations. Just don't "sell" me a product and then put a lock on it that I the supposed owner am not allowed to open.
As for why it matters... companies get away with all sort of anti-consumer nonsense due to these limitations. Samsung putting ads on my TV's main menu[1] wouldn't be as big an issue if there was an easy way for me to install custom firmware.
i’m frustrated by the situation too, but your argument falls short for me.
to play devils advocate - you knew all of this when you bought your iphone. Further, apple lets customers return a product within 2 weeks if they are unhappy with it. Your argument would be more convincing if apple suddenly started restricting the device in a different way AFTER purchase.
That being said, i’d LOVE being able to install my own apps without apples approval.
Of course you didn't know most of this when you bought your phone, and Apple is limiting the spread of information to make you knowledgeable, so how would 2 weeks of using that censored platform help learn?
This is generally viewed as okay for game consoles because they are sold at cost or at loss for a large portion of their lifetime. This is very much not true of any Apple hardware.
