> Restrictions on vertical integration, for example, would have precluded the most popular mobile phone product lines on the market (Samsung Galaxy and Apple iP

> Restrictions on vertical integration, for example, would have precluded the most popular mobile phone product lines on the market (Samsung Galaxy and Apple iPhone). It was my understanding that Apple had to fight against a different kind of vertical integration to get the iPhone off the ground. Before that came out, the carriers ruled your phone with an iron fist. They determined what apps could run and so on. (And the AT&T exclusive during the first years of iPhone show what they had to give up to get the device released) This isn't disagreeing with the general point of your comment, mind you. The vertical just shifted from carrier control to device maker control.