This statement says next to nothing but may give the impression that it does to anyone who doesn't think twice on what it actually says. OS X and OS Y both have their good and bad sides but not necessarily near similar in terms of features and execution.
It's not an argument not should it be used as such.
Microsoft's dark patterns philosophy and how that translates into real-world user experiences is the worst I have ever seen. And since they are implementing these dark patterns into the OS it has the potential to make using Windows very difficult. I understand that, with knowledge, you can get around that.. But I dont see why anyone would want to any more.
Apple is really bad too, but there not as bad in the dark patterns market at least in the OS. But they are way strict with their walled garden approach to everything so I wont support them either.
Linux can be buggy at times, but I feel much safer using this OS then I do Windows or MacOS because Microsoft and Apple don't really seem to care to much about the ramifications of their end-user hostile decisions.
What are the ramifications of apples “end-user hostile decisions” aside from the walled garden on iOS? And having to click security -> run anyway for unsigned apps?
I think how their approach to usability and security actually translates to a lack of user-freedom. We had a discussion recently about activation lock on hackernews. On paper and in the world of security, its a great mechanism to prevent theft. But it also causes friction for device re-use with people that don't understand they need to decouple their online identity from their device, this has a negative impact on recycling. It also seems like Apple wants to herd people into purchasing new devices sooner than they should, when the should be doing all they can to make devices last.
This is also related to trying to control the circulation of replacement parts by attempting to force independent repair centers to regulate how parts are distributed. Apple takes more of a "You don't know what you are doing, so we have to guide you in the right direction" approach that doesn't sit too well with me. Apple can be wrong, a lot, about how their decisions effects people's freedom to decide how to implement there own security and ways of retiring devices. Apple should be in the business of making hardware and making it usable. Not being a parent, deciding how people are going to use and secure their devices. Maybe leaving that to an impartial organization that works with apple. Too many conflicts of interest for me.