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Librem Tunnel Is Leaving iOS

puri.sm

31–40 of 280 posts

Re: Librem Tunnel Is Leaving iOS

#31
Any software distributed on the App Store immediately becomes nonfree software. The free software definition is linked to the end-user's freedom to modify the programs on his computers, not whether a developer can fork it.

Specifically, distribution on the app store denies "The freedom to... change it so it does your computing as you wish (freedom 1)."

Re: Librem Tunnel Is Leaving iOS

#33
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The solution you are proposing is worse than the problem. If Apple were forced to allow multiple stores or sideloading, governments that right now have no leverage with Apple would force their citizens to install government stores and apps.

That's really not an issue right now. Governments ARE forcing Apple to preinstall government apps right now. https://9to5mac.com/2021/03/16/russia-pre-install-iphone-app...

That article completely proves my point.

1. Russia has sufficient leverage. Most smaller countries do not.

2. “These pre-installed apps will also be deletable after setup is complete, just like any other third-party app that is downloaded from the App Store.”

That’s as far as Apple was willing to go. The Apps also don’t have privileged access to anything private.

If the US or EU forces Apple to allow alternate stores, both of these protections will be gone, forever.

And once they are gone on Apple devices, why would anyone imagine we’ll ever again have a widespread platform that doesn’t have government mandated software?

Apple’s dominance is at best a transient problem. Let’s not trade it for a permanent one that is far worse.

Re: Librem Tunnel Is Leaving iOS

#34
post #5

It is still absolutely fascinating to me how we have arrived at a point where in order to use one's own device properly, one has to ask a US company nicely or be unable to do so - and people pay money for it. On macOS, it is now impossible to distribute a VPN or a virtualization software without permission from Apple. 30% of the world's population would, if their government cut a deal with Apple, be unable to install…

> On macOS, it is now impossible to distribute a VPN or a virtualization software without permission from Apple. Citation needed? I don't believe this is true. Tunnelblick and qemu both exist on macOS independently of Apple's approval.

Also would like a citation. Onboarding mac users at work is "here's your .ovpn file, go install Tunnelblick and import it, start connection, and go".

Re: Librem Tunnel Is Leaving iOS

#35
post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't have either of those. From previous experiences, it's my understanding that activation means resetting and erasing it.

In this case it seems like it has already been reset, or performed some kind of major OS update, which seems unlikely. In lieu of itunes or mac, you could also take it to an apple store I believe.

It was just sitting around hooked up to a charger while I was away.

Re: Librem Tunnel Is Leaving iOS

#36
I'm not clear on why Librem would need to add an in-app purchase option under app store guidelines, and their article doesn't really explain it either.

App store guidelines on this topic are:

> 3.1.3(f) Free Stand-alone Apps: Free apps acting as a stand-alone companion to a paid web based tool (eg. VOIP, Cloud Storage, Email Services, Web Hosting) do not need to use in-app purchase, provided there is no purchasing inside the app, or calls to action for purchase outside of the app.

So are they offering purchase inside the app? I downloaded it, and there's a bare login prompt with no mention of purchasing outside the app that might get them in trouble.

Re: Librem Tunnel Is Leaving iOS

#37
post #5

It is still absolutely fascinating to me how we have arrived at a point where in order to use one's own device properly, one has to ask a US company nicely or be unable to do so - and people pay money for it. On macOS, it is now impossible to distribute a VPN or a virtualization software without permission from Apple. 30% of the world's population would, if their government cut a deal with Apple, be unable to install…

The only way to prevent large, billion+ dollar corporations from existing is via highly intrusive state regulation, so people who are appalled by the monopolistic and authoritarian behaviors of big tech should really be asking themselves (1) whether they are against capitalism, because there isn’t a model of optimizing economies for market freedom and profit that disallows the existence of billion/trillion dollar companies, and (2) whether they are okay with breaking up the concept of a “nation-state”, since its size requires it to have large economies.

Re: Librem Tunnel Is Leaving iOS

#38

A few years ago, I got my grandmother an iPad. She used it for years until she passed. I just powered it on yesterday and it now "requires activation", which won't complete via WiFi. All the data on it, e.g. pictures, is now inaccessible. It is, effectively, bricked. I'll sooner eat a pile of shit before I ever touch or recommend another Apple product again. Edit: To clarify, it was never locked or password protected…

Okay. I just had to recover my father's iPad account; he's alive but lets just say aggravating at times getting him to do what he is told to do.

Since he bricked his iPad I had to submit a recovery through iCloud and that invokes a twenty four hour delay before it sends recovery information to his listed authentication device; as in his telephone.

So that comes in which directs you to apple.com/recover or such and when you put the id in you have the option to get a 2FA code back to the phone which we did. I then simply put my phone number into the account so all future recoveries would be simpler.

Apple will allow for more than one authentication method, use it for ANY gift you give to an elderly parent or such. Frankly the best option you have is to get yourself on their email account recovery page as well.

Its just common sense in this era of identity theft that you do your due diligence so you can protect those you care for.

If your iPad is asking for a passcode and you don't know it you are lost unless it was backed up which brings up the second point.

When giving gifts like these out make sure to help the recipient learn how to back it up to a computer or have them let you back it up to yours when they visit.

Re: Librem Tunnel Is Leaving iOS

#39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Apple won't let me to break into an iPad I don't own" isn't as bad as you are trying to make it seem. In other words, why are you surprised that you can't hack into an Apple device?

Because it worked fine last time I used it, it was never locked. I do own it. It was bought outright by me. I later inherited it legally and rightfully.

[deleted]

Re: Librem Tunnel Is Leaving iOS

#40
post #5

It is still absolutely fascinating to me how we have arrived at a point where in order to use one's own device properly, one has to ask a US company nicely or be unable to do so - and people pay money for it. On macOS, it is now impossible to distribute a VPN or a virtualization software without permission from Apple. 30% of the world's population would, if their government cut a deal with Apple, be unable to install…

On the other hand, I spend 0% of my time managing iOS devices for my parents and am constantly bombarded with issues from my in-laws with Android phones. I agree that some of Apple's behavior is monopolistic and has some unfortunate, possibly unforeseen consequences, but the end result is pretty nice for the consumers who are willing to accept the compromise.

Do you think that you spending 0% of your time managing iOS devices has something to do with apps not being able to use their own payment system?
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