[varmintman]

Generally an open system means a system which anybody can write software for or manufacture accessories for, and there are degrees of openness. LINUX is a totally open software system, the PC is open in the senses I mentioned except that Windows itself is not open and there is a constant war against standards being waged by MicroSoft.

Apple is generally the vendor of least open products. I got rid of an Iphone 4 around last November and purchased a Samsung Galaxy Android phone which I've been much happier with for several reasons, not the least of which is heat, i.e. the Samsung phone doesn't heat up after ten minutes of use.

[Ted Grant]

I like to customize my phone. You can’t do much with an iphone. Jailbreak, then load unauthorized apps and change the font.

On my Samsung Epic 4G, I rooted it and is completely customizable. I was on stock for a while, and then moved through four everyday ROMs. Each ROM made the phone seem like a new phone.

Iphone is for people with little imagination and creativity.

[Fightin Whitey]

Answered my question.

Thank you both.

[antiRepublicrat]

Good point on all the definitions of openness, and a person really has to pick the ones that are important to him. Apple’s not very open on the hardware, although it uses standard computer parts. However, it is intended that accessories will be attached through the USB, Firewire or Thunderbolt ports, and that ecosystem is extremely open.

So if you need to pluck and chuck graphics cards and CPUs, Apple is probably not your thing. But if you don’t mind attaching stuff, Apple should be no problem on the hardware openness.

But when it comes to open standards, Apple tends to play very nicely. It’s certified UNIX, so you have those standards. Apple’s Safari browser is one of the most standards-compliant out there.