I didn’t say they were exonerating Apple. I was specifically pointing to their argument regarding Apple bearing the server costs. For macOS, sure, that’s valid. But for iOS, Apple is forcing those costs on themselves by keeping a closed system.

Also, Google is not locking down apps from outside the store. I still run the f-droid store just fine. Issuing a warning about installing unknown apps is hardly “locking it down.” For people not knowing what they’re doing, I think giving them a warning that APKs from third party sources could be dangerous is absolutely fine. That being said, Google could easily create or at least facilitate a APK signing service for third parties so that the warning wouldn’t appear for APKs that aren’t from shady sites.

I think I just poorly framed and articulated my response. No need to be so hostile and telling me to, “get it together.” This is supposed to be a casual discussion, not some heated argument.