[manfredo]

The key difference is that the App store is the only way of running apps on an iDevice outside of rooting it (which for >99% of users means it's the only way of running apps).

Apple needs to be transparent that it's not selling devices, it's licensing devices. Users do not control the devices they own.

[ogre_codes]

There are PWAs. I know PWAs have massive limitations, but there are some work-arounds. They just aren't great.

[twicetwice]

Apple deliberately cripples PWAs on their devices for exactly this reason. I get it, but I hate them for it.