Maybe it's neither. Maybe it's just that some people consider their device as a hybrid personal computer / phone. Then it becomes rather annoying that you can't control what's installed at it.
The irony that you're talking about an Apple product and control in the same sentence is truly rich. Since when has Apple been concerned in the least with giving users full control?
But it can't be a determining factor for those people who endorse Apple products. Otherwise, they would choose a different product from a more open or responsive company.
You may consider it part personal computer, but the people owning the network it needs to function don't. They made this pretty clear when you bought it, and the cell phone industry in America has behaved this way since it's inception. It really shouldn't be a surprise.
I agree it would be desirable to have a hybrid personal computer / phone that would give me as much freedom of software as my desktop, but the iPhone isn't that, nor did it claim to be.
I also can't install whatever software I want on the cable box I got from Comcast. Nobody's ranting about that though.
I also can't install whatever software I want on the cable box I got from Comcast. Nobody's ranting about that though.
You also did not pay to buy that box from Comcast either. You're leasing it from them, with full expectation from Comcast that you will give it back if/when you terminate service, and from you that Comcast will replace it at no charge if/when it breaks or stops working.
With the iPhone (or any cell phone for that matter), you have bought the phone, and it becomes your own personal property. You do not have to return the phone if you cancel service, and the provider is under no obligation to replace the unit if it breaks (unless you paid extra from the start for a warranty).
That is why nobody rants about their unit from Comcast.
It depends. If you agreed to a 2 year contract along when you bought your iPhone, you haven't yet completely paid for it.
Also, if you cancel your contract before it's up, you DO have to return the iPhone.
If you paid extra for an unlocked iPhone, then yes you have a point. But then you also have the freedom to go to another network without those restrictions.
I rant about my unit from Verizon. It's a DSL modem/router combo and it SUCKS as a router. It breaks xmpp. It dies when any upload is taking place. It freezes when two PCs are streaming anything.
Fortunately I can disable the router portion and use my own linksys model. Which works until Verizon changes a setting upstream and I have to reset the configuration to default and start from scratch.
You can watch anything you want on that TV you bought form Sony though.
It doesn't suddenly decide to block any disney movies that compete with it's own studio or ban music from non-sony artists
