Same as e.g. codecs for MP3 or other such codecs, or non-open-source gpu drivers; it'll be offered as an option to end users in certain distributions. It's not difficult or some paradox, it's an end-user preference on the one hand, and the ideals of a distribution or whatnot on the other.
We can guess - the blob wouldn't be in the kernel, and the interface to the blob would reluctantly be added (or not added at all) and the installer would work against particular kernels.
I care. It's kind of strange if you're against undocumented software but still run on undocumented hardware. I'm hoping the providers of the tools I use can see this too.
Hardware doesn't change. The Linux kernel and related userspace move fast. Proprietary kernel drivers are painful for users and developers alike. Nvidia has held back the entire desktop and been a massive PITA for laptops.
Apple provides no documentation or any other resources. Nvidia at least provides their closed source drivers and has put in some effort in open sourcing some parts of them. Obviously Nvidia is not great but it is still much, much better than Apple which just totally ignores Linux and there is no guarantee some exec might decide that they need to patch the ‘security holes’ which allow Linux to even run on m1 at some point in the future.
I think Apple would have to be stupid to block booting other operating systems on the devices they already have sold. This could easily lead to lawsuit, similar to one that Sony had when they removed OtherOS functionality from PlayStation 3.
They have, though it's not clear if it's "engineer at Apple realizes with one small change they can make it easier for Linux" or "internally Apple is fine with supporting Linux on their hardware but they're not openly doing so".
I'm actually moderately surprised they are not actively helping, as often having a second OS option allows for various fun legal tricks when importing, bidding on government contracts, etc.
Apple actively helped Asahi Linux by changing the boot process. NVidia actively works against Linux by using things like the GPL condom. Nvidia is like that kid that is forced by a teacher to do something and then proceeds to do it in the most shitheaded way but just enough for it to work while actively working against the spirit of the request of the teacher.
Apple in contrast has helped Asahi Linux for literally no reason. It wasn't requiest, it wasn't even required. It just made life easier for Asahi Linux.
Allegedly? Apple added a feature useless for themselves but something Asahi Linux benefited from greatly. Can't really make it more clear then this. Or do you expect Tim Cook to announce Asahi Linux in the next keynote?
Maybe the "allegedly" is misplaced, I hope my overall point is clear anyway. Apple haven't "officially" helped Asahi, the change could have be made by a single contributor to the kernel for example, or more of a "why not" change without regarding Asahi specifically. We (unless you work at Apple) don't really know at this point.
How the hell is a company that releases official drivers to support an OS working "against it"? How did you get yourself into a mental state where you convinced yourself that a company that officially supports your OS is "working against in" and is somehow worse than a company that will do absolutely nothing to support the OS?