My brother, who's relationship with tech barely extends to the latest samsung flagship, threw away his iphone because he couldn't get all the apps he wanted.

I think _your_ impression of people outside tech circles is as HN-centric as it gets :)

> i have never heard someone outside of tech circles... mention "apk" or "fdroid" and their eyes start to glaze over

My no-tech middle-aged uncles and aunts know what apks are, and that you need to install apps from somewhere apart from the main Play store if you want them to have no ads.

> i have never heard someone outside of tech circles (e.g. HN) mention openness, freedom, or customization, even as a passing comment.

And how do you qualify "(e.g. HN)" for this purpose? Places where people value openness?

These feels like a no-true-scotsman.