I know a lot are disagreeing with Jobs on this one, but I think he’s right, in some ways. I think there are far too many situations where everything, including the interface, can be customised. As I’m entirely sure you know, good interfaces have good design, that takes someone with some knowledge and ability to do. The average user would make a crap job at it. I’m thinking the old Microsoft Office toolbars (add or remove everything), a lot of the interface design of GNU/Linux distros, and a host of other things.
I think this is especially important in specialised systems like the iPod and iPhone. I’m very glad that people can’t edit the interface or add other bits and pieces on the iPod (without some hacking about anyway); it might have ended up looking like the average MySpace profile page.
What I hope happens is that some system is developed by Apple whereby independent developers can participate in some way, but strict control is kept by Apple.
Also, this decision will most likely push web developers to create some rich web apps geared for Safari devices like the iPhone, which can only help push web apps in general in the right direction.
Chris, I am not sure why you would care if my iPod looks like a MySpace profile page. If I am not happy with the user interface of my devices, it hurts neither you nor the designer if I change the way it operates in order to increase my personal usability of it.
— Martey 