[doublerabbit]

> And reasons that Google/Apple want you locked to their operating system, their hardware.

Well, do they not? Locking you to their product, forcing you to use their product for their own gain.

Apple won't even let you repair your phone unless you go via their own dealers.

You could call communism, but there isn't any communism element to it. It's all capitalism to answer OP's question to "Why can't I install any operating system" because you can, there is nothing stopping you apart from the companies that control the product.

[tracker1]

Capitalism + IP Protectionist policy would be more apt a description. But this isn't any more or less capitalism than say Capitalism + Social welfare programs are Marxism or Socialism.

Personally, I'm hoping that some states grow a pair and actually pass meaningful right to repair legislation, then a lot of things will tumble. There are plenty of Libertarian and Capitalist supporters who do not like the corporatist status quo. That doesn't mean that Capitalism itself is the issue.

If it weren't for IP protections, there would be more interoperability most likely, or better service/support. Sharing communication breaks, and offering run-alike chip and interface replacements would be less of an issue. Not to mention, it's Corporatist IP protections that keep out competitive upstarts.

Also, Apple happens to make most of their devices in a Communist country, so how does that stand?