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Why Is The iPhone A Closed Platform?
THINK
DIFFERENT. That was Apple’s slogan for years and still is their slogan.
Though it is not advertised it was a few years ago. That’s the whole
reason Apple was invented. To allow you to do more than a pc and have
control over your computer. Then, in 2007, Apple releases an iPhone and
makes it a closed platform? It didn't make sense and it still doesn't.
The iPhone to this date is not an open platform. People want to have
apps that Apple says aren't good enough. Some people would like to have
an app that looks terrible but has many features, and Apple declines
it. Also, people want to make modifications to their operating system
as they wish. That’s were jailbreaking comes in. It basically allows
anyone to do anything with their device. Install apps that Apple has
declined, add a theme to their device, watch Adobe Flash content in the
browser, and execute code written in Java. All things apple has yet to
allow. When I shell out $300 for an iPhone, I want to be able to run
Flash on it. It just makes sense. I own the device so I should be able
to do whatever I want with it without Apple trying to stop me. I can’t
completely trash Apple for not allowing a choice of content because
they are getting better. With iOS 4 you can add a custom wallpaper in
the back of your home screen, with multitasking you can run
multiple apps in the background, and with folders you can organize your apps. The only problem? It doesn't include
the original iPhone and iPod Touch. Also they are not truley what they say they are. Multitasking only allows 10 minutes of time. Folders only hold 12 apps, and you cannot have a subfolder. All things that has been available
to jailbreakers since iOS 1. Themes, unapproved apps, Java, Flash, true
multitasking, and other modifications. All things that most iDevice
owners want and can only get by jailbreaking their phone. So here’s my
question. When I buy a Mac I can do whatever I want with it. Download
apps Apple has not approved, change the operating system to Linux, and
make any modifications I would like. So why can’t I do the same with my
phone? You may be saying that it is because the battery and memory on
the device is small, so it would drain the battery and run out of RAM
quicker. Yes, these are both true, but at least I have a choice on my
mac. With a mac you can install Linux on it and you still keep you
warranty. Though with the iPhone Apple is trying to stop you from
installing Linux. Why? It just doesn't make sense. What is so special
about the iPhone that makes it only have approved apps and the mac can
have any? If Apple has a good reason for voiding peoples warranties
then at least give them a choice. Don’t try and patch an iPhone jailbreak
exploit. I can see how Apple takes jailbreaking as a security threat.
That a device can be compromised and execute arbitrary code within
minutes. Though Apple should accept jailbreaking and then work with the
jaibreaking community to patch the security threats so malicious code
cannot be executed. Its better than working alone on the problem. And
that way everyone gets what they want. The whole problem reminds me of
a book called “The Giver” by Lois Lowry. The story is of a community
where everything is chosen for you because the authorities believe that
if you had a choice you may make the wrong one. It is true that we may
download a virus but we may not. And if not the experience would be so
much better.
“Without choice and freedom, we are no longer human.”
DIFFERENT. That was Apple’s slogan for years and still is their slogan.
Though it is not advertised it was a few years ago. That’s the whole
reason Apple was invented. To allow you to do more than a pc and have
control over your computer. Then, in 2007, Apple releases an iPhone and
makes it a closed platform? It didn't make sense and it still doesn't.
The iPhone to this date is not an open platform. People want to have
apps that Apple says aren't good enough. Some people would like to have
an app that looks terrible but has many features, and Apple declines
it. Also, people want to make modifications to their operating system
as they wish. That’s were jailbreaking comes in. It basically allows
anyone to do anything with their device. Install apps that Apple has
declined, add a theme to their device, watch Adobe Flash content in the
browser, and execute code written in Java. All things apple has yet to
allow. When I shell out $300 for an iPhone, I want to be able to run
Flash on it. It just makes sense. I own the device so I should be able
to do whatever I want with it without Apple trying to stop me. I can’t
completely trash Apple for not allowing a choice of content because
they are getting better. With iOS 4 you can add a custom wallpaper in
the back of your home screen, with multitasking you can run
multiple apps in the background, and with folders you can organize your apps. The only problem? It doesn't include
the original iPhone and iPod Touch. Also they are not truley what they say they are. Multitasking only allows 10 minutes of time. Folders only hold 12 apps, and you cannot have a subfolder. All things that has been available
to jailbreakers since iOS 1. Themes, unapproved apps, Java, Flash, true
multitasking, and other modifications. All things that most iDevice
owners want and can only get by jailbreaking their phone. So here’s my
question. When I buy a Mac I can do whatever I want with it. Download
apps Apple has not approved, change the operating system to Linux, and
make any modifications I would like. So why can’t I do the same with my
phone? You may be saying that it is because the battery and memory on
the device is small, so it would drain the battery and run out of RAM
quicker. Yes, these are both true, but at least I have a choice on my
mac. With a mac you can install Linux on it and you still keep you
warranty. Though with the iPhone Apple is trying to stop you from
installing Linux. Why? It just doesn't make sense. What is so special
about the iPhone that makes it only have approved apps and the mac can
have any? If Apple has a good reason for voiding peoples warranties
then at least give them a choice. Don’t try and patch an iPhone jailbreak
exploit. I can see how Apple takes jailbreaking as a security threat.
That a device can be compromised and execute arbitrary code within
minutes. Though Apple should accept jailbreaking and then work with the
jaibreaking community to patch the security threats so malicious code
cannot be executed. Its better than working alone on the problem. And
that way everyone gets what they want. The whole problem reminds me of
a book called “The Giver” by Lois Lowry. The story is of a community
where everything is chosen for you because the authorities believe that
if you had a choice you may make the wrong one. It is true that we may
download a virus but we may not. And if not the experience would be so
much better.
“Without choice and freedom, we are no longer human.”
As always you can send me a tweet or leave a comment.
Twitter: @megacron
Comment
-
Comment by Streetkid1215 on September 13, 2010 at 1:33pm -
Truer words have never been spoken. Period.
© 2012 Created by Chris Pirillo.
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