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Comment by yazaddaruvala

4 years ago

> It doesn't have any sort of way for the user to run "programs" or instructions in memory outside the predefined functions

You’re intentionally picking a dumb toaster. I could also intentionally pick a dumb phone. What about the toasters that run Linux? or use a Raspberry Pi internally?

> ways to load and run instructions not included or designed by the manufacturer but a third party

As far as I know an iOS device can’t load non-Apple or non-Apple-approved code from a third party. Not even by me without explicit approval from Apple (which I need to pay them for the privilege).

How is the current situation meaningfully different from Apple hiring consultants, code reviewing the consultants code and adding that as optional iOS code (with the consultants retaining rights to the code)? Or including a random open source library into iOS as a downloadable, optional part of the OS (with the open source contributors retaining rights to the code)?

And to state again: as a customer I paid for this device wanting these limitations.

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yazaddaruvala

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salamandersauce  4 years ago

Show me a single toaster that runs Linux. Or uses a Raspberry Pi. I did not pick a "dumb" toaster. Don't be ridiculous. Most toasters don't even have a LCD display or features like Waffle or Pizza modes. It's on the smarter scale of toaster.

I am a third party. I can load a non-Apple approved app onto an iOS device for free. Even ignoring jailbreaking by using Xcode. The app will only work for 7 days before I have to resign it but it doesn't need to be submitted or approved by Apple or follow their store guidelines at all. Altstore basically wraps that process up into a little bow to make it easier. Don't even need your own Mac.

I could also use Pythonista to write a working Apple I emulator. Is the iPhone still not general purpose PC?