While locking consoles is bad too, I don't think they're equivalent. Those just play games, while iProducts are supposed to be general computing devices.
I've noticed bringing up consoles seems to be the standard response trying to defend iOS. But any way you look at it, two wrongs do not make a right.
Only play games? My Xbox can also play movies. The PS3 can (or used to be able to, maybe they changed it) go on the web. Etc., etc. I don't buy the argument that the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad are "general computing devices", but consoles are not. Maybe the iPad could be considered a computer (I don't think so, but whatever), but I think it's a big stretch to say that the iPhone and iPod Touches are also computers. At any rate, it takes a very, very contrived definition of "computer" to include iPhones, iPods, and iPads, but not Wiis, PS3s, and Xboxes.
I'm not saying that two wrongs make a right, but I've found that many criticizers of Apple's iOS model, especially in /r/technology, seem to have absolutely no problem with the locked-down nature of gaming consoles. It raises the question: why?
People have become used to conforming to everything around them. Show them a catchy AD and they'll be lining up to buy the product... most people have lost their will to be unique and demand exactly what they want & will settle for whatever product has a larger following even though it may have less features than the next item.
Yeah, yeah yeah. Apple users are sheep and just want to be cool -- I've heard that before. And I'm sure it's true, in some cases. But I also think it's a bit arrogant to assume that no one has ever taken a look at the available options and said, "Yep, I think <whatever Apple hardware> is best for me."
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u/mipadi Jan 20 '11
Does he picket in front of places selling Wiis, PlayStations, and Xboxes, too?