Apple Antitrust Case

I know I’m going to upset some people with this opinion. I will preface that I’m not married to my opinion either. But I’ve still yet to hear a compelling argument about Apple’s App Store or about iMessage not being opened up to Andriod.

https://www.wired.com/story/antitrust-case-against-apple-weaponizes-the-cult-of-cupertino/

I’m just picking one of the arguments against Apple here from the article, quote below. But when I read this, I was thinking seriously “Apple’s text message colors make me feel bad”. Whatever happened to just getting over something silly like this? Or just using a different product or service that you don’t like?

“Many non-iPhone users also experience social stigma, exclusion, and blame for ‘breaking’ chats where other participants use iPhones,” the suit reads. It goes on to note that this is particularly powerful for certain demographics, like teenagers, who The Wall Street Journal reported two years ago “dread the ostracism” that comes with having an Android phone”

I also wonder if this is just a teenage angst issue. And a tech bubble issue. And not a normie user, the majority of users of smartphone phones, issue? And this last question I bring up because the normie tech users in my life iPhone and Android don’t make a big deal about the compatibility issues we have when group texting. We just use another app or email to send the file we’re trying to share. Or just share a link to the file, image, or video.

And then the other issue I have with this lawsuit is that there are bigger issues and more annoying “smartphone” issues our government can put their resources towards versus Apple’s App Store fees and green text bubbles. Sticking with annoying smartphone issues because I don’t want to derail this tech issue with politics (ugh).

Such as.

Robocalls, political campaign texts, and spam texts with links that you’ve no idea where they lead to. I’d be in full support of them using their resources in trying to figure out how to stop and impose heavy fines on these companies that abuse VoIP loopholes.

Use the weight of government pressure on tech companies (all companies) to improve their security and privacy when it comes to customer data.

These are just a couple of tech related issues that I think taxpayer money and government resources would have a “rising tides lifts all boats” effect and have tangible effects on all American’s lives.

I’m an Apple user, phone and computer. But I was an Android and Windows user a lot longer before using Apple products. And I didn’t care about my green texts or not having certain apps available to me. I mean it didn’t have a real effect on me financially or hinder my ability to use my phone. I’d just get ribbed by tech friends…but that’s not a reason for government action.

Maybe I’m completely wrong here and just being a grouchy old man. I’m open to having my mind changed by some compelling points. Sorry for any grammar errors, this is a 100% stream of consciousness post after reading the Wired article.