Re:This is why linux/opensource sucks. (Score 1)

Can I install custom software yet? Oh, I have to jailbreak it. That makes sens... Oh wait, you're asking me to crack my own phone.

well, installing Debian on G1 is not really any different from jailbreaking iPhone. You are cracking/hacking your own G1 to install Debian on it. So your point is moot here.

Alright, I'll develop an iPhone app. I'll write it in Python, or maybe Erlang, download updates on the fly... Not allowed, [wikileaks.org] you say? I wonder why? Only Apple knows... Maybe I'll make it run in the background, so I can have something play music while users do something else... Nope, not allowed. When the user taps away from my app, I have to shut down, completely, so as not to drain the battery. That's not just a good best practice, it's actually enforced by Apple.

if you like to do FOSS, why do you even want to write apps for Apple Store? You can write your own apps for iPhone, ignore those sucky "guideline/rules", and share your apps with others independent of Apple Store. You shouldn't go to the Apple Store unless you want to make money out of it, which means it's no longer FOSS. If you really want some example of closed mobile system, you should look at Moto Linux. There's no official way to install ANY third party native programs on Moto Linux, the only way to install other native programs on Moto Linux is to crack/hack your own phone and do it yourself, and there's no SDK. At least Apple did provide a SDK for native program developmenet, and an offical (albeit severe limited) channel of letting you to install some third party programs to iPhone. And if you are unhappy about the official way, you can always crack/hack it and do it your own way like with Moto Linux. So Apple's iPhone is at least better than those Moto Linux phones. There is at least an official way, and an official SDK for easier development (which you can use to create programs not adhering to Apple's guideline/rules, as long as you don't plan to sell them on Apple Store).