To Beeblebrox: Based on your comments, then clearly the iPhone is not for you. Move on. Apple is not trying to be all things to all people: they are trying to provide a spectacular device that works great for a very large group of people including myself.
Yes, the iPhone is the real OS X. That's what makes it work like it does. That fact does not convey any responsibilities or obligations for Apple to make it work in other ways that they don't want it to do. It works EXACTLY as advertised. (For me, it works better than any other smart phone available and that's good enough.)
I think the iPhone is tremendously flexible. In only a couple of months, there are thousands of apps available and that do much more than I ever imagined an iPhone could do. I agree that the apps are a selling point--they sold me and they resell me nearly every day. They are absolutely awesome. And I think its great that Apple takes some responsibility for the apps by reviewing them.
Sure, there are those "superusers" who have jailbroken the iPhone. More power to them. But they are far and away the minority. I have never met one (in person). I think that most iPhone purchasers are similar to me--they want an awesome device that works, dependably, and who don't want to spend hours fiddling with it.
Apple is on the right track and I hope they don't change it to meet the needs of the minority of "superusers".
I just converted from a Treo 700p to iPhone in July because my Treo didn't work--3rd party apps conflicted with each other giving me a handicapped smartphone. I'm very happy to have an iphone that actually works and does what it is supposed to do. The Treo tries to be everything to everyone and fails in the process. I'll take Apple's approach with the iPhone, thanks. I don't need it to be more open: I need it to do what it promises to do...and it does!
I like Apple's approach. I want my iPhone to work. I don't want a bunch of trash. It's their platform: I have no problem with them deciding what apps are acceptable. Besides, I really have no interest in my phone being able to make fart noises.
The App Store Mania Is Catching
The App Store Mania Is Catching
The App Store Mania Is Catching