Apple has about 60% of the smartphone market in the US, and about 25% globally.
This case is about the US marketplace, globally is irrelevant.
And it is about more than just marketshare. Apple's tactics restrict the entire marketplace --- not just Apple captives.
Whole classes of apps are simply not practically possible on Android without paying monetary tribute to Apple.
For example, universal messaging is not possible without paying the Apple gatekeeper. Few people will use a messaging app if it can't communicate with 60% of their friends. And the only to make this happen is to pay Apple.
The fact that people are shallow is not a reason to break up companies. Some social circles will kick you out if you don't wear luxury clothes, but you don't see the government forcing those companies to lower prices.
I'm not talking about teenagers. If you think that your social life is the same with and without imessage you're wrong, regardless of how old you are.
Using any other app just adds friction - obviously your best friend isn't going to stop talking to you because of it but weaker relationships might not survive.
And in my circle, my home address, the kind of car I drive, the universities I attended, and the places I vacation all affect -- subtly and sometimes more blatantly -- my relationships. Are you arguing for absolute uniformity across all choices in life?
>>universal messaging is not possible without paying the Apple gatekeeper
There is in fact universal messaging - it's called SMS. You don't need to pay Apple to use it. If you would have added secure to your example then yes that would be correct.
This case is about the US marketplace, globally is irrelevant.
And it is about more than just marketshare. Apple's tactics restrict the entire marketplace --- not just Apple captives.
Whole classes of apps are simply not practically possible on Android without paying monetary tribute to Apple.
For example, universal messaging is not possible without paying the Apple gatekeeper. Few people will use a messaging app if it can't communicate with 60% of their friends. And the only to make this happen is to pay Apple.