[bad_user]

> I can still push apps to our customers on Windows and Mac desktops like I could in 1993.

That's true for now, but the trend is clear - OS X doesn't want to open apps downloaded from the Internet without the binary being signed by a registered developer. You can work around that, but I had to Google it (and I was trying to install YourKit Profiler - an otherwise very legit app from a well known and respected company). Microsoft only allows apps installed from their store on Windows RT. We are not talking about Windows Phone btw - Windows RT is Windows for ARM devices. Windows 8 has the same policy as OS X, both moved to the app store model, both now give warnings when installing from third-party sources.

BTW, Android is allowing app installs from third party sources. It always did. Not sure how long will that last, but iOS and Windows Phone 7 are completely locked down in that regard.

It's about time we stop thinking of these companies as being our friends. They aren't. They are partners at most and the free market doesn't work well if customers aren't prepared to vote with their wallet.

[d0]

That's just logical. Windows uses loose code signing. SmartScreen is the same sort of thing but you have to buy a more expensive code signing cert from VeriSign etc. You can self sign or run a CA on windows domains, even for metro apps on enterprise edition (and RT).

OSX is easy enough to control via spctl as well. You can use this or pay $99. Several things I downloaded, including Logic Pro from Apple didn't come with a certificate. It's not a big deal.

Most of what you say is paranoia. Signing is overall a damn good thing.

Android is. If you flick a switch. Same with OSX and Windows. WP even allows you to install unsigned apps if register it as a dev handset. Same with iOS.

This is mainly about protecting both the end user from malware and protecting the app sellers' revenue stream.