I disagree. Any alignment in interests is temporary at best. Inasfar as the alignment exists and results in a good product, people should stick to that alone:

I disagree. Any alignment in interests is temporary at best. Inasfar as the alignment exists and results in a good product, people should stick to that alone: "this is a good product". It's a mistake to generalize or extend that sentiment to "therefore the company is a good company". Given the opportunity Microsoft would absolutely erect a walled garden ecosystem of DRM'd media and 'blessed' hardware. Hell, they tried. Several times (with varying levels of success). Even in the midst of their anti-trust problems. And given the opportunity, Apple absolutely would lean on its partners and conspire against standards the way Microsoft has in the past. They also have tried (with varying levels of success). Several times. The only difference between Apple and Microsoft is that they can only afford to put their interests ahead of their customers in the fields they dominate, which, by definition, are different fields.