All of the major commercial OS vendors are trying to do that. Apple started it with iOS. Google have gradually been tightening the net. Microsoft are furthest away but they have the longest legacy of freedom so they the furthest to go.
Obviously they aren't going to publicly say that's their intent, but you don't have to be a genius to read between the lines.
As for why... money and power are pretty big motivators.
What evidence have you got that they aren't? I don't see why you're expecting some quote from Tim Cook saying "yes we're going to lock down macos in the next 10 years". Obviously not going to happen.
The evidence is their actions with gatekeeper, app signing, removing the right-click workaround, etc.
I remember when there was option to run any application. With Sequoia there are only 2 options: App Store; App store + Known developers. Third option was removed. You can still run other apps but you need to manually approve them with ~3 popups where first option is "move to Bin". You need to do this after every OS or App update. I wonder when this option will be removed as well.
This is tiresome. You cannot lock down development machines. If you pay attention you'll see that OSes made for development work will be the only ones not locked down. Android was a holdout but Google is now tightening the screws. MacOS, Linux, BSD, and Windows are the only OSes that can't be locked down. Microsoft tried but they abandoned that.
Good point, but it is entirely possible for Apple/Microsoft to lock down "consumer" versions of their operating systems, effectively turning the common man's computer into a glorified phone and a new cash cow. Add to that a requirement for an online account, age verification, and other malware.
They will certainly be enough idiots who think that it is for the user's own good, so that apps are more "secure."
What evidence do you have that they are trying to do that?
All of the major commercial OS vendors are trying to do that. Apple started it with iOS. Google have gradually been tightening the net. Microsoft are furthest away but they have the longest legacy of freedom so they the furthest to go.
Obviously they aren't going to publicly say that's their intent, but you don't have to be a genius to read between the lines.
As for why... money and power are pretty big motivators.
Ok, so no?
What evidence have you got that they aren't? I don't see why you're expecting some quote from Tim Cook saying "yes we're going to lock down macos in the next 10 years". Obviously not going to happen.
The evidence is their actions with gatekeeper, app signing, removing the right-click workaround, etc.
> What evidence have you got that they aren't?
I'm sorry, but I can't take this question seriously.
The main evidence is that they haven't. I also believe that it would be quite damaging to an important part of their user base.
Other than that, you're essentially asking me to prove a negative.
> The main evidence is that they haven't.
They have taken many gradual steps in the direction of locking things down.
> it would be quite damaging to an important part of their user base.
Not as important as we'd hope. Look at iOS.
> Other than that, you're essentially asking me to prove a negative.
They could have said "we won't ever lock down macOS". They haven't.
I'll file this under "mark my words". Like this one :-D
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17363885
(I think it will probably take longer than 7 years though; maybe 15.)
I remember when there was option to run any application. With Sequoia there are only 2 options: App Store; App store + Known developers. Third option was removed. You can still run other apps but you need to manually approve them with ~3 popups where first option is "move to Bin". You need to do this after every OS or App update. I wonder when this option will be removed as well.
It's been missing since at least Big Sur, so if they're going to go any further they do seem to be taking their time over it.
They are still working on it. This is from a year ago
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/08/macos-15-sequoia-mak...
Obviously they can't do it instantly or there would be too much resistance. Microsoft have to go even slower.
This is tiresome. You cannot lock down development machines. If you pay attention you'll see that OSes made for development work will be the only ones not locked down. Android was a holdout but Google is now tightening the screws. MacOS, Linux, BSD, and Windows are the only OSes that can't be locked down. Microsoft tried but they abandoned that.
Good point, but it is entirely possible for Apple/Microsoft to lock down "consumer" versions of their operating systems, effectively turning the common man's computer into a glorified phone and a new cash cow. Add to that a requirement for an online account, age verification, and other malware.
> You cannot lock down development machines.
Of course you can. What makes you think you couldn't?