If you look around a bit, it’s not their users who are making noise about wanting it. Why should they care about a competitor’s users?
As one of their actual users, I’ll tell you this. I am sick and tired of all these loud mouths being outraged on my behalf. I made a rational decision to buy an iPhone, knowing full well what it means. In the end all that matters is that it works well, and most likely will for a long time, as for now I’ve my successive iPhones have been used for at least 5 years (apart from the 3G which was unbearably slow after 3). I don’t hate openness, customisation and tinkering, which is why my main desktops run Linux. I just don’t want to be a sysadmin for my phone, which is something you really often see actual iPhone users say, including in this thread.
Because the scale of these companies gives them immense power and control over people's devices and (digital) lives. The size of the corporation leads to a geometric increase of power through network effects.
Now that you have an answer, what are you actually trying to ask? Do you have an issue with megacorps providing more control to users?
I have a problem with any kind of absolutes. I also have a problem with a self-appointed tech commenters deciding what is best for everyone else due to their own biases. There is essentially a Google/Apple duopololy, but let's not pretend there are no other choices. Neither company is stopping anyone buying Fairphones, Pinephone, or whatever other libre devices exist on the market if that's what the individual wants.
> "I also have a problem with a self-appointed tech commenters deciding what is best for everyone else due to their own biases."
This sounds like you.
> "but let's not pretend there are no other choices."
Nobody is confused by the current choices. Saying that the iPhone can't do the thing today that we want it to do in the future is just repeating a fact that is literally the reason for the discussion in the first place.
And yes it's strange to take the side of a trillion-dollar megacorp instead of users, especially considering the size and power of such a company.
As one of their actual users, I’ll tell you this. I am sick and tired of all these loud mouths being outraged on my behalf. I made a rational decision to buy an iPhone, knowing full well what it means. In the end all that matters is that it works well, and most likely will for a long time, as for now I’ve my successive iPhones have been used for at least 5 years (apart from the 3G which was unbearably slow after 3). I don’t hate openness, customisation and tinkering, which is why my main desktops run Linux. I just don’t want to be a sysadmin for my phone, which is something you really often see actual iPhone users say, including in this thread.