[zitterbewegung]

What would be the alternative then? If apple can't field a 4g phone what would they have to do to get one? Relax app store standards? (That doesn't seem very likely) I seriously doubt that they will never have a 4g phone ever and not releasing one doesn't seem to be an option.

[chapel]

All they would have to do to comply with this rule is to allow people to install apps not served from the App Store, much like Android already does. Seems like a simple enough request, and would only benefit users.

[fpgeek]

In theory, it is a simple enough request. In practice, Apple has been doing a lot of things (e.g. the new subscription model and in-app purchasing rules) that only work because Apple is the sole source for iOS apps. Changing that is unlikely to be easy for them.

[rbarooah]

Not true. Look at the mess windows is in because of bad software.

If you've ever had to help a non-tech-savvy user who has messed up their computer by installing bad software that was recommended to them by a well meaning friend, you'll know that there are real benefits to the app store model.

[xsmasher]

Apple could allow the phone to be set up in one of two "modes" - one that allows any app to be installed from any source but does not allow connections to iTunes, app store, Game Center, notifications, subscriptions, or any of Apple's other services; and the normal mode that functions like a regular iPhone does now.

Viola, the user has a "choice" of open/crippled or locked/functional modes; they're meeting the letter of the law even if the "open" mode is practically useless.

[rbarooah]

Actually that would be a pretty interesting mode. Presumably alternative app stores would spring up - Cydia would probably be repurposed immediately. As long as there's a clear division between 'closed' and 'open' modes so that people who want the closed model still get the benefits, this would be a pretty interesting experiment.