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I am a big proponent of "freedom to tinker", but I simultaneously believe that iOS' walled garden is the best thing about Apple's mobile devices. All not-so-sav

I am a big proponent of "freedom to tinker", but I simultaneously believe that iOS' walled garden is the best thing about Apple's mobile devices. All not-so-savy PC and Android users I know have trouble with misleading apps and devices that slow down to a crawl because so many apps are running in the background. It's frustrating because they absolutely have nothing to gain by said freedom.

realusername 8y ago
I get it but for developers, it's just a nightmare, I would like a root feature on my phone by default since I own that phone. It does not have to be a simple access, it could be to type manually 10 command lines in a prompt on the phone to get rid of the people who don't know what they are doing but it really needs to be there. > devices that slow down to a crawl because so many apps are running in the background Most of those are not even installed by the user but by the manufacturer or Google and the users are unable to get rid of them.
- notafrog 8y ago
  In iOS, you can't even have tools like Termux because an app is not allowed to execute unsigned binaries. Like, I get how this can be a security measure, but why not give control to people who want to take the risk.
sschueller 8y ago
I would not have a problem with the iOS app stores policies if they permitted me to install another app store like F-Droid. They don't, so they are the exactly what we do not want as they will incrurage others to do that same as they are the ones people are looking up to at the Moment (because of profits). If google wants to crack down on apps in the play store that's fine. But do not lock down the phone so I can't install what I want.
mikekchar 8y ago
I think they have a lot to gain by said freedom. I think it's fair to say that they don't have the understanding of how to use it though. All of the crapware on my Android phone comes from companies approved by Google. In fact, most of it... ahem... comes from Google. Blimely... I forbid Google maps from even running.... Literally every app I use comes from Fdroid and you wouldn't believe how much better the phone runs. The walled garden is not so much a walled garden as a zoo. You are a valued guest as long as you provide value to the proprietors. You get lovely meals and safe-ish surroundings. The fact that your pen is completely inappropriate for your body type... Well, you can't have everything, right? But the paying customers are the ones making the rules and you shouldn't forget it. Yeah, I don't think you'll get many Madagascar type prison breaks from the walled garden, as you say, but I think it's a stretch to say that there is nothing to gain from doing so -- whoever you are.
- saiya-jin 8y ago
  Look at this from say your mom's perspective, not IT geek one - the real benefits potentially gained are minimal compared to threats. These academic discussions have no meaning for most folks out there - they want a device where their few favorite apps work fast and reliably, and generally a device they can trust will not take away their ie banking info and steal money or identity. Rest are details for nerds like us.
  - waterhouse 8y ago
    It is sometimes possible for a nontechnical person to have a friend or family member set up something technical on their device for them. In that situation, it may become important to the non-nerds whether the walled garden blocks the nerds.
- _bashskids 8y ago
  And f-droid better moderates (naturally) than any closed source stores. Android is bloated of frameworks to enable adware kiddos to earn revenue. If it was the spirit of a regular linux distribution.......
kkarakk 8y ago
lock down device so idiots can't screw up, hackers and tech savvy influencer folk move onto a platform they can modify coz it's cool, general public follows wash, rinse, repeat.

realusername 8y ago

I get it but for developers, it's just a nightmare, I would like a root feature on my phone by default since I own that phone. It does not have to be a simple access, it could be to type manually 10 command lines in a prompt on the phone to get rid of the people who don't know what they are doing but it really needs to be there. > devices that slow down to a crawl because so many apps are running in the background Most of those are not even installed by the user but by the manufacturer or Google and the users are unable to get rid of them.

notafrog 8y ago
In iOS, you can't even have tools like Termux because an app is not allowed to execute unsigned binaries. Like, I get how this can be a security measure, but why not give control to people who want to take the risk.

sschueller 8y ago

I would not have a problem with the iOS app stores policies if they permitted me to install another app store like F-Droid. They don't, so they are the exactly what we do not want as they will incrurage others to do that same as they are the ones people are looking up to at the Moment (because of profits). If google wants to crack down on apps in the play store that's fine. But do not lock down the phone so I can't install what I want.

mikekchar 8y ago

I think they have a lot to gain by said freedom. I think it's fair to say that they don't have the understanding of how to use it though. All of the crapware on my Android phone comes from companies approved by Google. In fact, most of it... ahem... comes from Google. Blimely... I forbid Google maps from even running.... Literally every app I use comes from Fdroid and you wouldn't believe how much better the phone runs. The walled garden is not so much a walled garden as a zoo. You are a valued guest as long as you provide value to the proprietors. You get lovely meals and safe-ish surroundings. The fact that your pen is completely inappropriate for your body type... Well, you can't have everything, right? But the paying customers are the ones making the rules and you shouldn't forget it. Yeah, I don't think you'll get many Madagascar type prison breaks from the walled garden, as you say, but I think it's a stretch to say that there is nothing to gain from doing so -- whoever you are.

saiya-jin 8y ago
Look at this from say your mom's perspective, not IT geek one - the real benefits potentially gained are minimal compared to threats. These academic discussions have no meaning for most folks out there - they want a device where their few favorite apps work fast and reliably, and generally a device they can trust will not take away their ie banking info and steal money or identity. Rest are details for nerds like us.
- waterhouse 8y ago
  It is sometimes possible for a nontechnical person to have a friend or family member set up something technical on their device for them. In that situation, it may become important to the non-nerds whether the walled garden blocks the nerds.
_bashskids 8y ago
And f-droid better moderates (naturally) than any closed source stores. Android is bloated of frameworks to enable adware kiddos to earn revenue. If it was the spirit of a regular linux distribution.......

kkarakk 8y ago

lock down device so idiots can't screw up, hackers and tech savvy influencer folk move onto a platform they can modify coz it's cool, general public follows wash, rinse, repeat.