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> An iPhone doesn’t depend on Apple to function. It is only that way because Apple programmed it from the factory like that. An iPhone doesn’t depend on Apple

> An iPhone doesn’t depend on Apple to function. It is only that way because Apple programmed it from the factory like that. An iPhone doesn’t depend on Apple the same way a PlayStation 5 doesn’t depend on Sony. Most people buy the iPhone not just for the electronic components but for the entire ecosystem of apps and experiences, which are built on a foundation of Apple core APIs. Even when Sony did support running Linux on the PS3, doing so was mutually exclusive with accessing Sony’s platform and playing games. > They aren’t specialized, by any stretch of an imagination. Specialization and vertical integration is what Apple is famous for. If these were not specialized, we should see similar devices on the market to satisfy all manner of customers similar to what we see with general purpose hardware. The reason general purpose hardware hasn’t produced a myriad of clones reminiscent of the early PC era is exactly because of how specialized and difficult these devices are to make. > If I could go back in time, I’d disagree and then sue Apple for selling me a device I couldn’t use and make them allow me to install Linux. I’m not asking this to be snarky; I’m genuinely curious: why do you want an iPhone then? Why not an Android phone that is far more permissive, or a PinePhone that is philosophically aligned with what it sounds like you want? I guess I just don’t understand the mindset. I run Linux on hardware that is meant to run whatever I want. I run games on my Xbox, and don’t lose sleep over it. I use an iPhone because I need my communication device to “just work”, and no other general purpose hardware I’ve ever owned has achieved this. Do I wish the iPhone was more flexible? Yeah, I really do. But I also understand why it’s not, and what that lack of flexibility provides me.

withinboredom 3y ago
> An iPhone doesn’t depend on Apple the same way a PlayStation 5 doesn’t depend on Sony. Your presumption here is that Sony is in the right. Who says they are? The original PS3 allowed installing Linux and they only removed it due to the maintenance burden -- almost nobody was using it except the US government. Even still, you can upload your own OS to a PS5. There's no magic hardware stopping you. You can even replace parts ... or even just rip it out and make a handheld device like one guy did on youtube. You can't do that with a modern iPhone. It will brick itself if you replace the screen. > If these were not specialized, we should see similar devices on the market to satisfy all manner of customers similar to what we see with general purpose hardware So, you're saying that Samsung doesn't sell cellphones? The hardware is so specialized that Apple is the only one who can make a cellphone? I find that extremely hard to believe that Apple hardware doesn't use electronic circuits, CPU's, and other modern technology. Are you asserting that iPhone's run on magic? > I’m genuinely curious: why do you want an iPhone then? I moved out of my home country and my parents have an iPhone. We literally own one just to use FaceTime with them because they don't understand whatsapp and they want to talk to my son. Beyond that, I make apps, and I need a physical device to test things on. > But I also understand why it’s not, and what that lack of flexibility provides me. I don't understand why there is a lack of flexibility. I have a few custom tools I've built, and having to reinstall them every week makes it utterly pointless to use an iPhone. How is that a reasonable lack of flexibility?

withinboredom 3y ago

> An iPhone doesn’t depend on Apple the same way a PlayStation 5 doesn’t depend on Sony. Your presumption here is that Sony is in the right. Who says they are? The original PS3 allowed installing Linux and they only removed it due to the maintenance burden -- almost nobody was using it except the US government. Even still, you can upload your own OS to a PS5. There's no magic hardware stopping you. You can even replace parts ... or even just rip it out and make a handheld device like one guy did on youtube. You can't do that with a modern iPhone. It will brick itself if you replace the screen. > If these were not specialized, we should see similar devices on the market to satisfy all manner of customers similar to what we see with general purpose hardware So, you're saying that Samsung doesn't sell cellphones? The hardware is so specialized that Apple is the only one who can make a cellphone? I find that extremely hard to believe that Apple hardware doesn't use electronic circuits, CPU's, and other modern technology. Are you asserting that iPhone's run on magic? > I’m genuinely curious: why do you want an iPhone then? I moved out of my home country and my parents have an iPhone. We literally own one just to use FaceTime with them because they don't understand whatsapp and they want to talk to my son. Beyond that, I make apps, and I need a physical device to test things on. > But I also understand why it’s not, and what that lack of flexibility provides me. I don't understand why there is a lack of flexibility. I have a few custom tools I've built, and having to reinstall them every week makes it utterly pointless to use an iPhone. How is that a reasonable lack of flexibility?