So in summary, there are different business models which benefit (and penalise) the consumer in different ways. I'm shocked I tell you, shocked. The real issue

So in summary, there are different business models which benefit (and penalise) the consumer in different ways. I'm shocked I tell you, shocked. The real issue here is whether people understand what they're buying in to when they buy the various products. * Do they understand that Apple are going to restrict you in certain ways? Do you understand what those ways are and what the consequences are? * Do they understand Google's (financial) interest in your personal data and what that means? * Do they understand that Amazon are only selling you this stuff as cheaply as they are because it's a down payment on more stuff? As technology changes, business models change and the nature of the deals you're entering into is becoming more complex with greater consequences than you might have understood. There's nothing wrong with any of these models and I think the OP is wrong in implying that Apple are in some way "better". The issue is that I don't think that the typical consumer is keeping pace with the changes and, as a result, is potentially entering into deals they don't understand and making choices that don't reflect what they really want or need.