[coldtea]

I think you don't understand it either. While I do "lose the freedom to install what I want" (outside of the 1.5 millions apps that I can install that is), I get more than "fancy designs".

I get a system where progress and adoption is faster, I get far less (close to statistical noise) malware compared to Android (none, actually, if I stick to top tier apps -- whereas there are Android phones that came with malware pre-installed by the carrier), I get most pro apps first and often (e.g. for music creation apps) exclusively, and a whole ecosystem that works admirably well, from laptop to watch, and, for my uses, better hardware.

[untog]

Sure, the OPs point was stated somewhat flippantly but the point still stands. If an average user owns an Apple device, they cannot install apps that are not on the App Store. Talking about what apps are available just seems like clouding the issue.

[alextgordon]

You can, as of 2015.

1. Download Xcode

2. Pair your iPhone with Xcode

3. Download source code of the app you want to install

4. Build and run.

You just can't install closed-source software. iOS may yet become Stallman's dream platform ;)

[untog]

There's a reason why I said "average user", though.

[DavideNL]

The answer is quite simple, many people don't want or need any other apps than those in the App Store. Most people are not developers or computer nerds. And what they get in return is for example an (almost) malware free device.

I'll probably get downvoted for saying this...

Anyway here's an example, Google them, all reports show the same results: > "Kaspersky Lab experts estimate that 98.05% of all existing mobile malware targets the users of Android devices." http://media.kaspersky.com/pdf/Kaspersky-Lab-KSN-Report-mobi...

[m45t3r]

And the majority of Android users does not install applications outside from Google Play Store either, and the lastest malwares that appeared for Android are from places outside Google Play Store. So where is the point?

If the user jailbreak (iOS)/allow external applications (Android), they increase the chances of malware simple of the fact that there is nothing Apple/Google can do outside App Store/Google Play Store. If they don't, the chance is reduced by far (however it is not 0, there is cases of malwares in both App Store/Google Play Store; the most recent case was in App Store btw).

[heinrich5991]

f.lux seems to be an exception to this. I'm not sure if you're right in saying that "only developers or computer nerds" want to install apps other than those in the App Store.

[coldtea]

>f.lux seems to be an exception to this.

Only developers or computer nerds even know about flux in the first place.

>I'm not sure if you're right in saying that "only developers or computer nerds" want to install apps other than those in the App Store.

Because most "regular" users don't even know there are apps outside the app store.