> This is a false choice - there's no reason the iPhone can't be both a walled garden-type device and support alternative OSes/software, just like a computer.

> This is a false choice - there's no reason the iPhone can't be both a walled garden-type device and support alternative OSes/software, just like a computer. In theory... but in practice if you allow it to not be a walled garden, then it will tip one way over the other. You suddenly give companies the ability to say "bring down your walls or don't use our app." While you technically still have a choice, it's not much of a choice if you depend on a certain app. The fact is we are all subject to the choices of other companies, developers, users, etc, so for those of us who prefer the walls it won't do us much good if everyone is living outside of the walls.