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I do not understand why people can be happy with the artificial software barriers. I'm really happy with my Apple M1 but I'd never use it if I could not run Emacs and free software on it.


Artificial software barriers are the norm, and often desirable. Cars, TVs, dishwashers, game consoles, etc etc.

General purpose computers are the exception.

While most people have never given it any thought at all, many of the rest of us absolutely do not want our phone to be a GPC.


Cars, dumb TVs, dishwashers, etc. aren't general purpose computer platforms. There's no market for running arbitrary software on them, nor do they contain a web-browser.

Smart TVs, game consoles, phones and tablets on the other hand already are general purpose computers. It is possible for someone to run whatever they want on them, be it by jumping through all the hoops or just by hosting a website. These artificial software barriers exist purely as anti-consumer rent extraction; they don't limit the functionality of the device beyond putting a price on participation.


I feel the same. Until the iPad can run emacs it will always a “toy” device.


I’m probably from alternative universe, but I just managed to work and play with Doom Emacs on my iPad.


How did you do this?


They are using an terminal app to ssh into another non-toy machine that is running doom Emacs. Not quite the same.


I’m thrilled with my iPad Pro. I use a stupid computer all day at work. When I’m at home the last thing I want is to pick up a computer again.




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