[solarexplorer]

> They are the gatekeeper to one thing: their own app store.

They also control the OS and don't allow side-loading or other app stores (without putting absurd obstacles in the way) So in the end they completely control the devices they sell.

[mvanbaak]

The end user is _NOT_ forced to buy into their ecosystem though. There are alternatives, and depending on where on this globe you ask, apple is not even the one with the biggest marketshare.

So while I'm not against the general outcry and need for change, it is not just apple. The problem is way way bigger, and it should not be put onto one of the players in my opinion. Create regulation/platform that sets the limits, then put ALL players into the process not just one

[DANmode]

For discussion's sake,

They are "forced" if they:

1) want to be cool

or 2) don't want to be uncool

or 3) don't want to spend effort on a technical decision they think doesn't matter to them

[DidYaWipe]

So what? So does every game-console manufacturer. Buy a different one.

[BlueTemplar]

The difference is that we can easily try to pretend that game consoles are not general purpose computers. And doing so is not going to cause issues to the fabric of the society.