Exactly. Provide a "rootable" platform that works as well and is as delightful for average customers as iPhone OS is and then you've got my interest. But until

Exactly. Provide a "rootable" platform that works as well and is as delightful for average customers as iPhone OS is and then you've got my interest. But until somebody shows that, this theoretical world of 'total device freedom' with users still having a worry-free experience sounds to me just like more of the same "Linux on the desktop is going to happen when the next release of Gnome comes out!" that I've been hearing for over a decade now. Users are asking for easy to use, fun devices. Not root. It's astonishing how many people working in the software industry look at something their customers are clamoring for, say to themselves "I don't want that!" and, because of that, ignore it. I used to think that this industry was worse off for being largely run by business/marketing people instead of techies, but the older I get, the less strongly I think that. The point of business is to make things for your customers. When you make things for yourself, that's a hobby. Yes, obviously, when you're your own customer and thus your work is also your hobby, that's a wonderful thing: for you and for your work. So here's a hint for techies: quit taking so much pride in how superior your taste is and how much smarter you are than your customers. That just means it's harder for you to "get into their head" and build what they want in a way they'll want it.