> But what about all of those software businesses that have built on top of the iOS API + App Store? Would you say that they are also taking a massive risk? Ye

> But what about all of those software businesses that have built on top of the iOS API + App Store? Would you say that they are also taking a massive risk? Yes. Very yes. Any iOS developer with any sense is brutally aware that we serve at the pleasure of the king, as Jeff Atwood put it. Apple nurtures its developer community because a robust app store is a selling point for Apple hardware. If Apple decides your app runs contrary to Apple's goals, it's gone, and you better have a backup plan. There've been plenty of panicked anecdotes floating around the Internet on that topic. The grandparent's analysis is sound. (Also: thousands of independent developers are building profitable businesses on iOS, but tens of thousands aren't.)