In that discussion the author references that Apple only starting implementing this circa 2014/2016 - which happens to line up perfectly with when the patent wa

In that discussion the author references that Apple only starting implementing this circa 2014/2016 - which happens to line up perfectly with when the patent was working it's way through the USPTO and granted. Generally speaking you can get early confidence on whether or not the patent is likely to be granted. Lexis Nexus and others actually offer specialized services to IP firms where they have the background and historical performance (office actions, grant rates, etc) of the random patent reviewer human at the USPTO that was assigned to review your application. This data, in conjunction with any early "office actions" sent by your reviewer, can give you a really good idea of whether or not the patent will be issued pretty early on in the process.