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Is it possible to allow sideloading and keep users safe?

(shkspr.mobi)
205 points ColinWright | 3 comments | 30 Aug 25 12:03 UTC | HN request time: 0.621s | source
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m463 ◴[31 Aug 25 05:39 UTC] No.45080628[source]▶
"sideloading" connotates something that is negative.

On systems before apple's locked-down iphone, it was just called "installing".

The PC revolution started with people just inserting their software into the comptuer and running it. You didn't have to ask the computer manufacturer or the OS vendor permission to do it.

And note that apple doesn't allow you to protect yourself. You cannot install a firewall and block arbitrary software on your phone. For example, you can not block apple telemetry.

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mystraline ◴[31 Aug 25 12:30 UTC] No.45082687[source]▶
1. I buy computer hardware, like an iPhone

2. I try to install my own software.

3. I'm prevented in installing my software on my device without "permission" from manufacturer.

4. Therefore, I do not own said hardware; manufacturer still does.

5. Therefore this is a indefinite rental instead of a sale.

6. I was defrauded with a fake sale, and Apple is defrauding IRS by not being properly taxed over millions of rental units (phones, tablets)

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an0malous ◴[31 Aug 25 13:42 UTC] No.45083098[source]▶
You can install your own OS on iPhone hardware, what you’re demanding is that Apple allow you to run your own software on their OS. It’s like saying that you don’t own your microwave or lawnmower unless they provide you with an API to build apps on it. Are you just renting your Xbox because you can’t run PlayStation games on it?
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1. ants_everywhere ◴[31 Aug 25 13:47 UTC] No.45083127[source]▶
exactly right.

Apple wants to sell appliances. The parent commenter wants to buy a computer.

That's the fundamental disagreement.

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2. rfrey ◴[31 Aug 25 16:39 UTC] No.45084545[source]▶
I own a blender made by KitchenAid. I am allowed to blend strawberries that have not been approved by KitchenAid. I can make an Onion Banana Durian smoothie if I want. Calling Apple product appliances is a slur to appliance makers
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3. beagle3 ◴[31 Aug 25 18:00 UTC] No.45085333[source]▶
I can see movies that weren’t blessed by Apple, and I can send email with content that wasn’t approved by apple.

Most of these analogies don’t make things much clearer.

The closest one is: the phone is supposedly my employee - I pay its salary (to Apple), but it is asking Apple to approve everything I ask it to do, and they are the only arbiter.

(This analogy also sucks. You have to actually deal with subject matter at hand and not look for shortcuts)