I think you are right that doing these things would improve Apple's standing with developers but it is important to note that none of the things you listed are

I think you are right that doing these things would improve Apple's standing with developers but it is important to note that none of the things you listed are in line with Steve Jobs' philosophy which you seem to imply here. Recall for example that the iPhone (aka iPhone 1) did not ship with an App Store. Apple doesn't even let you make iOS apps unless you own a sufficiently up to date MacOS device. So when you say "regain geek-cred," I think it's necessary to point out that this geek-cred never existed with a large (although perhaps not majority) of developers/power users, and when it did exist, it was not because Apple was doing things in line with the steps you have proposed to regain it. It was always about polish and ease of use. So when you say they've gotten timid and conservative I'm not sure in what respect you mean that. Because in terms of openness they have not changed at all and are still completely in line with Steve Jobs' vision in this respect.