[barelysapient]

Because there are phones for sale with more open and/or 3rd party stores are available. And most consumers don't buy those phones. So, said another way, phones with that feature have a competitive advantage, right?

But the consumer doesn't care. Consumers instead are choosing phones based on other features.

Now, what happens on iOS once the 3rd party stores get forced in? Who knows. It'll be fun to watch. Generally, consumers probably won't give a shit. After all, if they valued this feature, they'd purchase a phone with it.

The people who do care generally aren't consumers. It remains to be seen they can can shift consumer behavior.

That said, I think new genre's of apps might be able to provoke a change. Stuff like porn, hacker apps, apps that appeal to niche communities, all that Apple would never allow...If one of those apps becomes super popular, then the 3rd party stores will become interesting.

[goodSteveramos]

How do you know people wouldn't buy more iPhones if there were more App stores on it?

[barelysapient]

Apple wants to sell more phones, sure -- but not at the expense of their values or brand.

So, say we get an amazing third party store. And its loaded with world class apps like "AR Butt Plug", "Is that a Jew?" and "SNES9X". Well, new customers might be drawn to Apple's ecosystem that previous weren't customers.

But those are customers and use cases that Apple probably doesn't want.

[the_third_wave]

Why do you use those inflammatory examples and not, say, the following:

So, say we get an amazing third party store named F-Ios which is loaded with world class free software like Fennec (non-mozilla Firefox build), TermIos (Termux on Android) and IosPipe (Newpipe on Android). Well, new customers might be drawn to Apple's ecosystem that previous weren't customers.

Imagine the possibilities offered by adding an iOS version of the Android F-Droid repo. That would draw customers which thus far shun Apple like the plague.

> But those are customers and use cases that Apple probably doesn't want.

Unfortunately you're most likely right here in that Apple does not want to give its customers the freedom to choose to evade its toll booths by choosing free software - they want to remain in control.

[barelysapient]

> Unfortunately you're most likely right here in that Apple does not want to give its customers the freedom to choose to evade its toll booths by choosing free software - they want to remain in control.

Yup. Apple is closed and for profit.

This will eventually even out. Look at the gains of Linux desktop. Once the curve of innovation flattened, open source caught up and now delivers I think a superior product to both Apple and Microsoft.

It took 10 years. But it's happening and I think the future looks bright.

I bet we're about 5-10 years away from a viable competitor in the phone space showing up.

[the_third_wave]

Maybe, maybe not. This still does not explain why you chose to use such an inflammatory example in what seems to be a defence for Apple's stance regarding third-party 'app stores' while it has been clear from the get-go that Apple wants to keep control over the distribution channels to keep up its profit margins.

[goodSteveramos]

you claimed apple’s customers dont want an alternative app store. I asked you how you could possibly know that if none exist. You responded by saying that actually is just APPLE that doesnt want alternative app stores. Do you take back your earlier claim that Apple’s CUSTOMERS dont care about having alternative app stores?