Update: it may be limited to those using a hackintosh in conjunction with beeperserv (the jailbreak tweak). Still kind of lousy of them to lock the reddit topic though…
Several users recently reported that after using pypush—the tool that Beeper paid $25,000 for in order to build Beeper Mini—Apple banned their genuine Apple hardware devices from accessing iMessage.
When their comments were shared to the r/Beeper subreddit, one of the mods whom Beeper appointed decided to lock the comments, citing the “need to investigate this further” and directing concerned users to “reach out to support through the appropriate channels.”
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Not to take sides, but one company built their entire business model around “let’s break into the secure messaging platform of this other company”.
Why are Apple the ones who suck here?
Back then, Apple reverse engineered Microsoft office files, and it was fine if Apple did that?
Probably not entirely the same, but the core issue is the similar IMO: non-interoperability.
This isn’t the same at all, it’s even more benign. It’s like if Apple bought a Microsoft Office license for every Mac they sold and only used Microsoft’s official source code to read Office files and then Microsoft started banning those copies of Office.
While the others is garden wall everything about our product series, removing consumer choice, and forcing everything done our way.
But consumers have a choice. Just don’t buy Apple products if you don’t like their walled garden. Plenty of other options out there.
People keep pointing to this as a big problem, but the walled garden is not a problem for the average apple user ime.
My experience - the apple system is simply a great bonus point in choosing a device. It is a selling point. I do not feel boxed in or forced into the ecosystem.
I used to hate on everything apple until i decided to try iOS with their mini lineup on iPhone 12 mini. I actually fell in love with the OS and felt dumb for shitting on it this whole time. Is it for power-users? No. But for the average consumer, it feels much nicer than android.
A year down the line I needed a laptop and got an M1 mac, not because I was forced by the iOS, because the mac had great specs for an ultralight and will last me years. Plus it has great interoperability with my phone.
Now I have also an apple TV device - not because I am forced into the ecosystem, because I hated my TVs OS and the apple box had appealing specs and again it had seamless interoperability with my devices as a bonus.
At this point in my life I’m just tired of fighting my devices.
Apple draws the line on some seriously questionable/stupid stuff and when faced with that your only choice is to deal with it.
If Android ever tried to force icons to auto-arrange like iOS does, it would be fixed by seven different guys within a week.
Real users are annoyed too by the “walled garden” thing. Two examples of my own: no credible NewPipe replacement because Apple said so, and wife was not impressed with the fact that her expensive tablet was not able to share the wedding list she made with the notes app with a non-Apple device (turned up empty). Probably fixed by now, but inexcusable on a device this expensive (2018 iPad Pro).
Older example of mine, but fixed way too recently. During my studies nack in 2009/2010, I would have loved to have the ability to use my phone like an external hard drive to transfer papers from my University’s computers to my crappy laptop, like I was able to do with my previous phones. No, installing anything on the University computer is not an option, and yes, I could have sent emails, but I had no Internet access in my dorm where I consumed the papers and it would have meant having to carry around my laptop all day for Internet access, which is far from the better experience.
And let’s not mention the iMessage shitshow, which is also annoying real people…
I’m not saying it doesn’t work for anyone, though. All I mean is that this doesn’t work for some, who have a valid reason to favor alternatives. But maybe they should let Apple consumers use their iPhones without berating them for not owning an Android phone.
It’s not that simple. What Apple does, others follow. It’s not just about Apple being Apple; it’s about this bigger issue where all these big tech companies kind of play follow the leader, and the leader is always the first person to dare do something anti-consumerist.
Before you say anything I have given this company easily over 10,000 dollars, maybe even close to 20,000; I have bought their products for YEARS. Always giving them more chances than I have any other company.
Over the years I have bought apple products for myself as well as gifts for my family and friends:
- two mac minis
- two macbook airs
- one m2 max macbook pro
- three apple watches
- five ipads
- four iphones
- 10 airpods (including the wired ones, which I forgot what they were called)
- two ipod touchs
- three apple TVs
- god only knows how many cables (especially with the old wide cable that always broke)
- god only knows how much I spent on the app store and how many songs I bought on itunes before apple music
So no, I’m not just a random hater that didn’t give them enough chances. I have given them plenty of chances, more than any person should. And I now take a firm stance:
I shall not give this company even a penny more until they publicly apologize for their treatment of this small company and open source ALL of their code (not just imessage)
Yes, it’s extreme, but I’m 100% serious.
This is textbook cronyism. One company does something, and suddenly they’re all doing it. It’s not just about avoiding Apple; it’s about how all these companies are in cahoots, and that’s what’s messing things up for us consumers.
The problem is that there truly is not alternative to the tech oligarchy, unless WE create one. The solution is real free market capitalism/consent economies, not the current cronyism.
But the solution is creating competitive tech companies with morals, with a goal to write software and create hardware that’s better than what the competition offers, but that’s entirely open source and embraces competition.
We need to embrace a philosophy of transparency and consumer empowerment. This means developing technology that prioritizes user needs and preferences. We need to let go of the ego driven mindset that has dominated the tech industry for so long.
Whenever this discussion comes into play the same arguments are always presented
-
“It’s too difficult to compete with these giants.” Yes, it is challenging, but not impossible. The tech industry was built on innovation and disruption. New players can emerge with fresh ideas and technologies that challenge the status quo.
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“Open source can’t be profitable.” This is a myth. Open source allows for a broader base of contributors and can lead to more robust and secure products. Moreover, companies can still generate revenue, and in fact should EMBRACE revenue. Revenue and Open Source are not mutually exclusive.
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“Consumers don’t really care about these issues.” This is a defeatist attitude. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of and concerned about issues like privacy, data security, and ethical practices. Companies that prioritize these values can gain a loyal customer base.
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“The market is too saturated for new entrants.” Saturation doesn’t mean there’s no room for innovation. Often, it’s an indicator that consumers are looking for better alternatives. There’s always room for products that are more user-friendly, secure, and ethical.
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“What we need is regulations against these monopolistic practices.” Over-reliance on regulation can stifle innovation and entrepreneurship. Instead, the emphasis should be on fostering a competitive environment where new entrants can challenge established players. You cannot use force to create a truly free and fair market. What’s needed is a shift in consumer mindset and a rise in demand for ethical, user-centered technology. We must support startups and businesses that are trying to make a positive impact in the tech world. By choosing to spend our money on products and services that align with our values, we can drive change in the industry. Government intervention will only shift the situation slightly, until a new winner emerges (or the current “winners” adapt) and then the cycle of cronyism starts again. It’s a never-ending game of whack-a-mole unless we, the consumers, take a stand.
1/3 (sorry I had to split it into 3 comments, I was reaching some limitation I didn’t realize existed)
Yeah, and? That still doesn’t excuse anyone breaking into their system against their will.
Did you also feel the same way about Steam shutting down the gambling sites that gambled with CSGO skins? Steam garden walled their product and forced everything done their way. The consumer chose to gamble their real money on video game pixels, why did Steam have the right to shut that down?
You are free to disagree with Apple’s ecosystem, but don’t try to convince me you wouldn’t do the exact same if you were in Apple’s shoes, or try to convince me you didn’t celebrate Steam shutting down gambling just because you personally disagree with the idea of gambling on CSGO skins.
You seem to be making the assumption that because I disagree with the walled garden that I agree with breaking it. I believe both are wrong.
I agree with steam shutting down the gambling sites and I am against steam for having the lootboxes in the first place.
There is a concept of not agreeing with either side as both are bad options.