Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by untog 3875 days ago
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.
2 comments
alextgordon 3875 days ago
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 ;)

link
untog 3874 days ago
There's a reason why I said "average user", though.
link
DavideNL 3875 days ago
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...

link
m45t3r 3875 days ago
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).

link
heinrich5991 3875 days ago
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.
link
coldtea 3875 days ago
>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.

link