You could always install anything beyond the App Store on macOS (and Mac OS), and that issue wasn't there. Sure, you can claim it was a security through obscurity thing (far fewer Mac users), but that truly ignores the vast differences in terms of UX and under the hood security (and simply stability) between Mac and Windows. Yet, Macs are not known for having tons of viruses and malware.
(The "no one wants to hack Macs because there are far fewer users" argument also seems strange to me when, as with iOS devices opposed to Android, there is a degree of higher-paying users with Macs, which might present a lucrative target for scammers and hackers.)
Point is, openness is relative. iOS might permit alternative app stores, but those app stores can still be reined in by security precautions at the OS level, Apple can still provide protection over non-App Store apps much like notarizing, they can have an iOS version of their desktop malware scanner XProtect, heck they can even warn users installing unverified apps like they do with Gatekeeper on macOS.
> What if you want the freedom to install whatever you want on your gaming console? What about your Printer? Your watch? Your car infotainment system? The list is endless.
Don't threaten us with a good time!
> Apps like Whatsapp are such must haves that their mere extra features on a diff store will propel that store to stardom.
(The "no one wants to hack Macs because there are far fewer users" argument also seems strange to me when, as with iOS devices opposed to Android, there is a degree of higher-paying users with Macs, which might present a lucrative target for scammers and hackers.)
Point is, openness is relative. iOS might permit alternative app stores, but those app stores can still be reined in by security precautions at the OS level, Apple can still provide protection over non-App Store apps much like notarizing, they can have an iOS version of their desktop malware scanner XProtect, heck they can even warn users installing unverified apps like they do with Gatekeeper on macOS.
> What if you want the freedom to install whatever you want on your gaming console? What about your Printer? Your watch? Your car infotainment system? The list is endless.
Don't threaten us with a good time!
> Apps like Whatsapp are such must haves that their mere extra features on a diff store will propel that store to stardom.
Yeah, I think that threat is overblown.