I agree with everything you said. Main difference with android though is that the company isn't trying to discourage root. Heck, they even let root specific apps reside in their play store, that make it simple for the avg user to accomplish. They work with the super users if you will. And yes, I know for the most part the consumer has freedom to go Apple, windows, android, blackberry etc. I was simply making a point, that there is a good reason why more and more power users are getting fed up with apple, and are jumping ship. My point, and you are free to disagree, is that Apple needs to quit working against the jailbreak community, killing root access every 3rd IOS upgrade, and recognize that this is a very valuable part of their user base that it would be a shame to lose. That is my only point, and you are of course free to disagree.
You're right in saying google doesn't mind rooting. I won't argue with that at all. The manufacturers and carriers are a different story though.
Which is true for Jailbroken iPhones of course.
I'm not disagreeing with the fact that an Apple supported Cydia being available stock on an iPhone would be really really nice. I wouldn't disagree with that at all. It'd also be nice if Apple offered a "root access" Version of their iOS devices too, or a root access option in the settings menu. I just doubt they will...
iOS 7 did bring a lot of jailbreak like functionality to iDevices. I won't argue that. I even posted an article here somewhere discussing it. Wait, here it is!
http://www.iphoneforums.net/forum/i...ngs-apple-borrowed-jailbreak-community-57826/
Now, in saying that, I've been an avid jail breaker since I first purchased my iPhone 4 CDMA version back in February of 2011. I mainly jailbroke for iBlacklist, SBsettings, and biteSMS. iOS 7 eliminates two of the gripes I had with iOS. Control center is a very welcome addition IMO, and the call/SMS/MMS/email blocking app is very welcome in my book also.
True multitasking is nice to have as well.
It doesn't seem like any biteSMS features will be added in iOS 7 as of yet unfortunately. Which we're still on beta 2, so Apple could throw us a curve ball. Never know with them.
Any who, I'm rambling now. Lol.
I'm not really positive of a mass movement from iOS to the Android OS. I've seen movement to both sides "Screw Apple! I'm moving to Android for the customization!" "I'm sick of Android, I just want a device that works and doesn't randomly crash" you get the point.
I believe both OS's will be around for a good while, that is, until another company comes up with something truly innovative and completely different...
I'd welcome a root access iDevice, but I'd be ok with the fact it may never come to light. The iPhone works great for my needs and it works flawlessly with my Apple Ecosystem I have at my home. Some of the connectivity I have has become essential to me and I wouldn't want to do without it. Believe me, I've tried. I grabbed a Galaxy S4 at the beginning of the month and that lasted a whole 3 days until I ran back to Verizon and swapped it for an iP5.
I can live without customization, root access, and 5" screens. I use my MacBook Pro, or my Gaming PC (windows 8 installed) I built earlier this year for real productivity.
It works for me and I believe it works for everyone who buys into this ecosystem and stays.
So, to sum it up, I agree with you in some ways. A stock root access iDevice would be nice, but I don't believe it's entirely necessary and I don't believe that'll end phenomenal iDevice sales anytime soon.
Thanks for reading this long winded post.