[slantyyz]

Can't fault you on your points -- they're all solid, but I would say there's a glaring omission. Cutting edge user experience (and that includes usability) does underpin Apple's success.

[lkijuhygtfd]

Precisely - it's the user experience that puts Apple out ahead not cutting edge technology.

In fact their technology is and always has been (when did Mac-0S get real multi-tasking?) rather conservative.

[rimantas]

  Precisely - it's the user experience that puts Apple out
  ahead not cutting edge technology.

Would iPhone user experience be the same with resistive touchscreen? Were there any capacitive touchscreen phones before iPhone?

[jonhendry]

"(when did Mac-0S get real multi-tasking?)"

As soon as possible after Jobs' return.