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>Give me the ability to install apps from any store, website, or platform. Give me the ability to use a device whatever way I decide. Incentive developers to create useful, enjoyable software instead of IAP shovelware. Make it the norm and break users from depending on The One App Store.

You're continuously surprised that most people aren't ideologues about this?

These are old debates about computers. Decades ago the rift was between computer tinkerers and Apple for what they derisively called "appliances". They cared, customers didn't. The rest is history.

I've learned to no longer be surprised by it. There are a huge amount of people in this industry who have staked their personal identity in a brand. Apple, Tesla, Google, or whatever. It's no different than the high school behavior I grew up with where you were allowed be one of three types of people: Chevy, Ford, or Dodge.

The unusually downvoted answer holds the key to the riddle: it's the hardcoded tribalism making us justify our purchases as if they're political statements.

I think we're like crabs in a bucket, got to pull each other down if we see someone close to getting what they want.

I do think it has to do with spending money. Don't see the same levels of defense for companies with "free" stuff. If Epic had only sued Google in this issue they'd have had more support.

You have that ability: buy any android phone!