Here's The Thing...

Apple is in the news again this week, this time for their new in-app subscription service. A lot of content providers, i.e. newspapers and magazines, and developers are complaining.

A lot of people like to complain about Apple's practices. Hell, I've bitched myself about them plenty of times on this very site! But over time, and after using multiple Apple products for years, I've come to realize something - everything Apple does is with the consumer or end-user in mind.

• You know who wins with Apple's new subscription service? People who own iOS devices who are now guaranteed the same or better price when subscribing through the app.
• You know who wins with Apple's closed* iOS ecosystem? People who own iOS devices and get regular updates and one-stop shopping for apps.
• You know who wins with Apple's design and interface guidelines? Device owners who get intuitive, easy to use and see (ed: High-five, Mom and Dad!) UIs.
• You know who wins with Apple's somewhat crazy AppStore approval system? Consumers who want solid apps that don't try to rip them off.

What I've come to realize is that if people are bitching about Apple it's for one of two reasons:

1. They are a content provider or developer and Apple has chosen to protect consumers over them.
2. They are Android or Windows Phone proponents and are directly competing with Apple.

You know who I don't ever hear complaining about Apple's products or decisions? People who actually own Apple products. Just sayin'...

* - "Closed" is an extremely ambiguous term almost exclusively used by Android developers in reference to iOS. Anything - anything - I've need to do on iOS I've been able to do through an app or the OS directly.