[thebruce87m]

I don’t think this has ever been true. There are too many things they do where they have created a market out of nothing. The general public had never paid for digital music or apps until apple created the market. Same with contactless payment from phones.

You can argue that any of these technologies existed before and they “followed”, but that’s a pretty distorted view when apple made the market - they didn’t take market share from others.

[midnitewarrior]

They didn't invent the smart phone, they made it accessible.

They didn't invent the tablet, they made it popular.

They didn't invent the laptop, they made it a status symbol.

They didn't invent mobile apps, they made them ubiquitous.

They don't invent much, but they improve it through industry-leading design (usually) and market it and willingly lock you into it.

[thebruce87m]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen them claim to invent any of those things. I’ve only ever seen other people claim they do.

> They don't invent much

They probably invent at the same rate as others investing in R&D.

> and willingly lock you into it.

They vertically integrate. Their customers obviously like this and aren’t bothered that it isn’t open. It’s not a bad thing, unless you consider the behaviour bad from all companies.