I feel like consoles are targeted at a section of the population that doesn’t value freedom over how they use their hardware.

Well I don’t think I really believe that. Certainly, I don’t think gamers care less about technical freedom than other groups, say for example users of iOS devices, or smart TVs, or routers, or car entertainment systems. Most of those are pretty locked down, but I don’t think a lack of caring on the user’s part has much to do with that.

but it’s almost like it’s part of what defines a game console.

I do think you’re absolutely right about that. A console is supposed to be plug and play. You plug in a controller, and you can play your games. You shouldn’t have to worry about drivers, software updates, system specs, whatever; the games just work.

(Admittedly, this has been shifting lately, with constant software updates and different editions of the same console. But I think the point still essentially holds true.)

But yeah, once you start opening up the platform, making it easy to tinker with, suddenly total compatibility can be harder to guarantee, much like it is with Android.