It's not that simple. What Apple does, others follow. It's not just about Apple being Apple; it's about this bigger issue where all these big tech companies kind of play follow the leader, and the leader is always the first person to dare do something anti-consumerist.
Before you say anything I have given this company easily over 10,000 dollars, maybe even close to 20,000; I have bought their products for YEARS. Always giving them more chances than I have any other company.
Over the years I have bought apple products for myself as well as gifts for my family and friends:
- two mac minis
- two macbook airs
- one m2 max macbook pro
- three apple watches
- five ipads
- four iphones
- 10 airpods (including the wired ones, which I forgot what they were called)
- two ipod touchs
- three apple TVs
- god only knows how many cables (especially with the old wide cable that always broke)
- god only knows how much I spent on the app store and how many songs I bought on itunes before apple music
So no, I'm not just a random hater that didn't give them enough chances. I have given them plenty of chances, more than any person should. And I now take a firm stance:
I shall not give this company even a penny more until they publicly apologize for their treatment of this small company and open source ALL of their code (not just imessage)
Yes, it's extreme, but I'm 100% serious.
This is textbook cronyism. One company does something, and suddenly they're all doing it. It's not just about avoiding Apple; it's about how all these companies are in cahoots, and that's what's messing things up for us consumers.
The problem is that there truly is not alternative to the tech oligarchy, unless WE create one. The solution is real free market capitalism/consent economies, not the current cronyism.
But the solution is creating competitive tech companies with morals, with a goal to write software and create hardware that's better than what the competition offers, but that's entirely open source and embraces competition.
We need to embrace a philosophy of transparency and consumer empowerment. This means developing technology that prioritizes user needs and preferences. We need to let go of the ego driven mindset that has dominated the tech industry for so long.
Whenever this discussion comes into play the same arguments are always presented
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"It's too difficult to compete with these giants." Yes, it is challenging, but not impossible. The tech industry was built on innovation and disruption. New players can emerge with fresh ideas and technologies that challenge the status quo.
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"Open source can't be profitable." This is a myth. Open source allows for a broader base of contributors and can lead to more robust and secure products. Moreover, companies can still generate revenue, and in fact should EMBRACE revenue. Revenue and Open Source are not mutually exclusive.
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"Consumers don't really care about these issues." This is a defeatist attitude. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of and concerned about issues like privacy, data security, and ethical practices. Companies that prioritize these values can gain a loyal customer base.
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"The market is too saturated for new entrants." Saturation doesn't mean there's no room for innovation. Often, it's an indicator that consumers are looking for better alternatives. There's always room for products that are more user-friendly, secure, and ethical.
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"What we need is regulations against these monopolistic practices." Over-reliance on regulation can stifle innovation and entrepreneurship. Instead, the emphasis should be on fostering a competitive environment where new entrants can challenge established players. You cannot use force to create a truly free and fair market. What's needed is a shift in consumer mindset and a rise in demand for ethical, user-centered technology. We must support startups and businesses that are trying to make a positive impact in the tech world. By choosing to spend our money on products and services that align with our values, we can drive change in the industry. Government intervention will only shift the situation slightly, until a new winner emerges (or the current "winners" adapt) and then the cycle of cronyism starts again. It's a never-ending game of whack-a-mole unless we, the consumers, take a stand.
1/3 (sorry I had to split it into 3 comments, I was reaching some limitation I didn't realize existed)