Why don't you expect that you can re-write the code on the dozen micro-controllers in your car
I do, and I have (or more precisely, I paid somebody else to do it for me). In my case, the guy had to remove the ECU and de-solder the memory in order to flash it; on newer models it can be done thorugh the ODB II port -- I consider that to be an improvement.
Incidentally, you can get a lot more horsepower out of most turbodiesels that way.
On other cars from the same manufacturer, some people re-flash their window control module so they can roll down their windows using their keyless entry. My car had that feature already enabled, so I didn't need to mess with it.
My refrigerator is old and dumb. But if it weren't, I would indeed expect to be able to hack it.
What about your cable box?
When I had cable (against my will -- only because the cable company charged less for internet + TV than they did for internet by itself that year) I used an HDHomeRun with a CableCard.
I use an HTPC specifically because I can program it!
It's a drive in the afore-mentioned HTPC.
How about that PS3 your kids play?
I boycott all Sony products (especially Playstations) as a matter of principle. I was starting to consider forgiving them for the rootkit, but then they removed OtherOS. Sony is dead to me.
Your ethical criteria is arbitrarily created to castigate Apple for doing the same thing that hundreds of other manufacturers have done over the last 100 years.
Nope. I apply the same standard to everything else I buy.
I'm genuinely worried acceptable new products will cease being made (which is, of course, the reason for my rule in the first place).
You probably own a few dozen processors which are similarly handicapped by the manufacturer to function as an appliance.
Try me.