No one bought MP3s from Apple through iTunes. Audio was in their native format. Apple even had a page about importing MP3s into iTunes, so not exactly a walled garden there even for iPod. And the iPhone could play MP3’s in the native music app since it was first released.
Also, while eink might be more expensive when assembled into an ebook reader, why not use a color android tablet with brightness set on low? Why are the hardware specs so restrictive? I understand the preference for long battery life, but it’s not like power outlets are in short supply. It seems like tablets are much more open as a device than an ebook reader
https://support.apple.com/guide/itunes/choose-import-setting...
Also, while eink might be more expensive when assembled into an ebook reader, why not use a color android tablet with brightness set on low? Why are the hardware specs so restrictive? I understand the preference for long battery life, but it’s not like power outlets are in short supply. It seems like tablets are much more open as a device than an ebook reader